Who are the two most popular door gods?

Door gods are a kind of painting that Chinese people paste on doors during the Spring Festival. According to traditional customs, on the eve of the Spring Festival, every household is busy writing spring couplets and posting door gods to pray for the coming year. So, who are the two door gods?

Who are the two door gods?

There are many door gods, but the most popular ones throughout history are Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong. They are the most popular and influential military door gods among the people and are known as the best door gods in the world. Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, killed countless people during his empire. After he ascended the throne, his health became extremely poor and he often had nightmares at night. Li Shimin could not bear the torture and summoned all his ministers to discuss the matter. Later, he asked Marshal Qin Qiong and General Yuchi Gong to guard the palace gates every night wearing armor and holding weapons, and only then did his health improve.

The two most popular goalkeepers of all time

1. Qin Shubao, whose given name was Qin Qiong and whose courtesy name was Shubao, was a native of Licheng, Qizhou (now Jinan, Shandong). A founding general of the Tang Dynasty and one of the twenty-four heroes in the Lingyan Pavilion. Qin Qiong is tall, mighty, and brave, and he is loyal.

2. Yuchi Gong, courtesy name Jingde, was from Xiamujiao, Pinglu, Shuozhou. A famous general of the Tang Dynasty and one of the twenty-four heroes in the Lingyan Pavilion. Yuchi Gong was simple, loyal, brave and good at fighting. He spent his life in military service, fighting in the north and south, galloping on the battlefield, and making many military achievements. The Xuanwu Gate Incident helped Li Shimin seize the throne.

The Nine Classic Gate Gods of China

1. The ancestors of the door gods - Shentu and Yulei

According to legend, the early door gods were two generals who guarded the gate of the ghost realm - Shentu and Yulei. They held sledgehammers and specialized in catching evil spirits that harmed people. "Tied up with reed ropes, held and fed (same pronunciation and meaning as "feed") the tiger. ”

2. The best door gods in the world - Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong

According to legend, Emperor Taizong of Tang was not in good health, and there was an evil ghost howling outside the door of his bedroom, causing no peace at night in the six courtyards and three palaces. Then Taizong told all the ministers about the whole situation. Qin Shubao said to the emperor, "In my life, I have killed people like cutting down dry trees and piled up corpses like gathering ants. Why should I be afraid of the little devil? I am willing to dress up in armor and wait with Jingde." Taizong approved the request and had the two stand on both sides of the palace gate at night. As expected, the whole night was peaceful. After commending the two, Taizong felt that it was too tiring for them to guard the palace gates all night, so he ordered painters to draw their portraits, with angry hair, jade axes in their hands, whips on their waists, and bows and arrows, just like usual, and hung them on the two palace gates. From then on, the evil spirits were pacified. It was not until the Yuan Dynasty that people continued this practice and worshipped the two as door gods.

3. The most down-to-earth door god - Jubao door god

This is a kind of literary door god, the image of the door god is painted as a general courting an official, with the meaning of "blessings, wealth, longevity, happiness, and peace and safety". To create a festive and auspicious atmosphere for the New Year holidays. In this picture, two officials of different dynasties are holding a treasure bowl in their hands, so it is also called "Treasure Bowl Door God".

4. The most educational door gods: Han Xin and Xiao He

"Xiao He chased Han Xin under the moon." Thanks to Xiao He's strong recommendation, Han Xin was able to display his talents and be promoted to an official position. "Success and failure are both due to Xiao He"; "success" and "failure" depend on one person, which seems to be a kind of balance. In fact, who can figure out the merits and demerits, right and wrong, benefits and losses? It is precisely because the philosophy of conducting oneself in life and doing things is difficult to figure out that it is even more important to explain it clearly.

5. The most interesting door gods: Zhang Fei and Guan Yu

The Three Brothers of Peach Garden, beheading Hua Xiong with warm wine, riding alone for a thousand miles, scraping bones to treat poison... these popular legendary stories have made the image of the righteous and brave Guan Erye deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and known to everyone, including women and children. Zhang Yide was included in the "God" list because he met a good brother who was extremely righteous and loyal. "Benevolence, righteousness, loyalty and trustworthiness" are the most basic and supreme moral creeds of people. Who doesn't like to admire the embodiment of loyalty and courage?

6. Super bodyguards - Zhao Yun and Ma Chao

"Zilong is full of courage", this evaluation of life is enough! As one of the "Five Tiger Generals", Ma Chao has a majestic appearance, a virtuous character, and is respected by many people.

7. The most patriotic door gods - Yue Family Army and Yang Family Generals

The concept of country has always been rooted deep in the hearts of farming nations. When the smoke of war eroded their homeland, "Yang Family Generals" and "Yue Family Army" stepped forward and composed a moving song to defend their homeland. Whoever protects people's happiness will be supported, so "Yang Family Generals" and "Yue Family Army" are honored as door gods.

8. The most united door gods - Hehe Erxian

A harmonious family brings prosperity! The two immortals He and He are gods in Han folk legends. They are in charge of marital harmony and are also the gods of love and joy among the Han nationality. “Harmony brings people together, unity of mind brings harmony to things; if the world can be harmonious, how happy will it be?” The two fat fairy children have never been separated.

9. The Terminator of Demons and Monsters - Zhong Kui

The image of Zhong Kui is "a leopard head with round eyes, an iron face, curly beard, and an extremely ugly appearance", but people are not afraid of his appearance. He is a straight-forward person and the "terminator" of evil spirits. The legend of Zhong Kui catching ghosts is widely circulated among the people. He not only catches ghosts, but also eats them, so people often stick images of Zhong Kui on their doors on New Year's Eve or the Dragon Boat Festival to ward off evil spirits. According to the Records of Yanjing Sui Shi by Fu Cha Dun Chong of the Qing Dynasty: "Every time the Dragon Boat Festival comes, the shops would use a piece of yellow paper with a red seal, or draw an image of Zhong Kui, the Heavenly Master, or a talisman of the Five Poisons, and hang it up for sale. People in the city would rush to buy it and stick it on the middle door to ward off evil."

Classification of door gods

1. Exorcism

2. Prayer

3. Religion

4. Military Generals

5. Civil servants

6. Others