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Traditions-Door Gods
The savage expressions of the door gods, with their flashing eyes and intimidating countenances, are pasted on a home's outermost gate or door.
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Traditions-Door
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Traditions-Door Gods |
| During the build up to Chinese
New Year Door Gods are placed on the external doors
of houses. This is an age of tradition dating back
to the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD). The Emperor Taizong
is said to have fallen ill, and had a dream in which
ghosts came to the palace in search for him. He recounted
this tale to his officials the next day, and the story
quickly spread through the Imperial Court - such matters
were not taken lightly. The emperors top two generals,
Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong, both of whom had fought to
establish the Tang dynasty stood guard outside the
emperor's bedroom door. |
| The emperor slept soundly
in the knowledge that he was protected by these two
generals, and had no further dreams of the ghosts.
However, after a few nights the emperor became concerned
for the generals. He ordered that two paintings be
made, one of each general. Once completed, the emperor
had these hung on the door to his room, and relieved
the generals. |
| This tale soon became widely
known, and in their eagerness to share the protection
of these "Door Gods" the common people made
their own paintings and placed them on their doors.
the tradition has continued ever since. |
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