Chinese Mythology: Door Gods
Preface: The Men Shen is a deity that guards the door in Chinese folk beliefs. It is a popular guardian…
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Men Shen (the Door Gods) are an important element of traditional Chinese culture, originating from ancient people’s prayers for the safety of their portals.
The earliest images of Men Shen can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty, and later evolved into images of historical figures or deities such as Qin Qiong and Yuchigong. During the Chinese Lunar New Year, families often put up paintings of door deities on their doors to ward off evil spirits and protect the peace of their homes.
These paintings of Men Shen are colorful and powerful, and not only contain deep folk cultural connotations, but also reflect people’s desire for a happy life.
The legends and customs of Men Shen have been passed down for thousands of years and are still widely practiced in China and some overseas Chinese communities.
Preface: The Men Shen is a deity that guards the door in Chinese folk beliefs. It is a popular guardian…