Chinese New Year is rich in time-honored customs and traditions. Among the most popular of these are various deities which are honored for their legendary deeds and powers. Of these gods, three enjoy particular favor among the people. They are the kitchen god, Tsao Chun, the two door spirits and the god of wealth, Ts'ai Shen. Faithful adherents, in seeking to earn the favor of the gods honor them with offerings of food and incense.

According to ancient folklore, the king of heaven, the Yu Huang Ta Ti appointed Tsao Chun to go into the kitchens of homes and act as "eyes", taking into account all the good and bad actions of the human inhabitants. On the 24th day of the 12th lunar month Tsao Chun returned to heaven to give his report to the king. So in honor of this day households prepare offerings of sweet glutinous rice balls (t'ang yuan) and rub some on the lips of the god image. This way the spirit will hopefully report good things for the home. Paper money, carriages and horses are burned as implements to accompany Tsao Chun on his journey to heaven. Old god images are removed after the 24th and replaced with a new image on the fourth day of the New Year.

The tradition behind the door gods extends back to the Chou dynasty (1122 B.C.). During this time there were two men, Shen T'u and Yu Lei who stood guard at the gate to the land of ghosts located on the northeast side of a mountain in a land near the distant eastern sea. In keeping post at the gate, they captured evil spirits, bound them in rushes and fed them to tigers. In honor of their faithful service, people began to draw or hang their images on home entrances. Still another legend, this one from the T'ang dynasty (618-907 A.D.) has it that haunted by evil spirits and bad dreams, the emperor T'ang T'ai Tzung had two advisers, Ch'ing Shupao and Yu Chih Ching-te stand guard at his bedroom door.

The god of wealth, Ts'ai Shen is represented in two forms, Wen and Wu. The Wen image is of a benevolent, rotund man dressed in red official's robes, while Wu is pictured as a fierce black-faced god dressed in a suit of armor riding a black tiger. The king of heaven appointed four generals to serve with Wu so that he is often pictured with the four.

Kuan Kung another god is often considered a god of prosperity because he represents justice and righteousness. In ancient times business was conducted without contracts and a man's word was what sealed the bargain.

Despite this modern age, these gods still enjoy a popular following, especially during the New Year's festivities.

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

1,2. These are an example of the door god prints still commonly seen on city streets during the New Year's holiday period. 3,4. A set of early Taiwanese wood block door god prints. 5. These are authentic door paintings of the door gods.

1,2,4. Modern examples of door god prints. 3. Protective guardians of a temple. 5,6. Door gods originally had the responsibility of warding off evil. Later on they assumed a role as auspicious omens for increasing rank and wealth.

1. Another New Year's door god print from Yang Liu Ch'ing. This depicts the deity Chung K'uei, responsible for protecting men from evil spirits. 2. The pedantic Wen form of the god of wealth. 3. A wood block print depicting the god and goddess Tsao Shen Yeh and Tsao Shen Niang Niang.

1,2. These are an example of the door god prints still commonly seen on city streets during the New Year's holiday period.

3,4. A set of early Taiwanese wood block door god prints.

5. These are authentic door paintings of the door gods.

3,4. A set of early Taiwanese wood block door god prints.

Modern examples of door god prints.

Modern examples of door god prints.

1,2,4. Modern examples of door god prints.

3. Protective guardians of a temple.

1,2,4. Modern examples of door god prints.

1,2,4. Modern examples of door god prints.

5,6. Door gods originally had the responsibility of warding off evil. Later on they assumed a role as auspicious omens for increasing rank and wealth.

5,6. Door gods originally had the responsibility of warding off evil. Later on they assumed a role as auspicious omens for increasing rank and wealth.

1. Another New Year's door god print from Yang Liu Ch'ing. This depicts the deity Chung K'uei, responsible for protecting men from evil spirits.

2. The pedantic Wen form of the god of wealth.

2. The pedantic Wen form of the god of wealth.