Zhong Kui, The Deity Who Exorcises Evil and Disaster

Zhong Kui is a deity in Chinese mythology and folklore who exorcises ghosts and evil spirits. Legend has it that he lived in Mount Zhongnan in the early Tang Dynasty. He had a leopard head, round eyes, an iron face, and curly beard, and was extremely ugly. However, he was talented, knowledgeable, and upright. He was not afraid of evil spirits and was skilled in exorcising demons and ghosts. Chinese people often hang images of Zhong Kui to ward off evil and disaster, and the legend of "Zhong Kui catching ghosts" has been passed down from ancient times to the present day.

Worship of Zhong Kui is particularly prevalent in Zhouzhi, Shaanxi (Zhong Kui's legendary hometown), Jianghuai, southern Fujian, and Taiwan. During the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and other celebrations, such as the start of a new business, the opening of a new business, the opening of a new land, the opening of a new business, the opening of a new temple, the opening of a new business, the thanking of the land, the moving of a new house, the celebration of a good harvest, weddings, birthdays, and other important events, people hang portraits of Zhong Kui and perform Nuo dances. Artists often dress up as Zhong Kui, wearing Nuo masks and official robes, holding bats and swords, and perform the Nuo dances. These performances are meant to welcome good fortune, promote longevity and a good harvest, and pray for blessings, ward off evil, and protect the home. Sometimes, there are also Zhong Kui puppet shows.

Zhong Kui has gradually become one of the most familiar figures in Chinese folk deity worship. He is affixed to doorways as a door god, warding off evil spirits; hung in central halls as a deity warding off disasters and dispelling evil spirits; and featured in Nuo rituals as a fierce warrior slaying ghosts and demons. This has spawned a variety of Zhong Kui operas and illustrations. Even the Compendium of Materia Medica includes a "secret recipe" for treating ailments such as difficult labor and malaria by ingesting the ashes of a Zhong Kui image with water or combining it with other medicinal powders to form pills.