The Tao of Doors:

Wei Chigong has a dark complexion and holds a whip.

1. The head-to-body ratio for door gods is typically 1:6. 2. Painting beards is a test of skill. The best beards look soft and wispy, with the pattern of the clothing underneath faintly visible, creating a sense of space. 3. Martial door gods usually wear a combination of official robes and military armor, signifying their mastery of both the literary and martial arts. 4. The depiction of eyes and facial expressions is key to a successful door god painting. 5. The turtle and the crane represent longevity. 6. Sometimes one martial door god carries a bow and the other a scabbard, signifying the need to work together to fight enemies.

Qin Shubao has a rosy complexion and holds a gold truncheon.

1. Beards indicate age, with a black beard for a mature man, and a white beard for an old man. Images that have no beard and hold a whisk are eunuchs. 2. After completing a work, painters often sign it by writing their name and the year of completion on the door god’s quiver. Occasionally, an artist will place this inscription on the god’s weapon, and some artists promote themselves by adding their contact number. 3. Martial door gods are often depicted in a dynamic T-step stance, making them appear ready to attack at any time. 4. Temple painters in Tainan often make use of the “Mona Lisa effect” to depict door gods’ eyes in such a way that no matter where you are in the temple, it feels as if their gaze is following you. 5. The fish is a symbol for abundance. 6. The Eight Immortals represent longevity, happiness, and freedom. 

（Left）The Eastern Heavenly King （Right） The Northern Heavenly King

1. He has a rosy complexion, holds a jade pipa, and represents harmony. 2. Tigers can ward off evil spirits. 3. He has a dark brown complexion, holds a ceremonial umbrella, and is associated with rain. 4. Leopards can ward off evil spirits.

（Left）The Southern Heavenly King （Right） The Western Heavenly King

1. He has a dark blue face, and holds a sharp sword symbolizing the wind. 2. Elephants can ward off evil spirits. 3. He has a red face, and holds a small dragon or silky flower fox mink in his hand, signifying propitiousness. 4. Lions can ward off evil spirits.

Door god paintings often include visual puns, so you have to look at the objects in the gods’ hands.

The court cap (guan) and deer (lu) form visual puns for ‘official’ and ‘salary.’ Combined, they signify rising rank and wealth.

Peony flowers symbolize wealth and honor, while the traditional wine vessel means “promotion.” Together, they mean “wealth, honor, and promotion.”