Page 412 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book
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Zhong-kui
Zhong-kui is the exorcist par excellence. His picture is hung up at the end of the year, or
on the 5th day of the 5th month, in order to scare away evil spirits and demons. He is
supposed to be connected with the ancient No festivities which were held just before
the New Year. At this feast, men wearing masks representing the various gods drove
all evil influences out of the city into the river or the sea. In modern pictures, he is shown
with a sword, chasing the five noxious creatures.
He is a frequent figure on the stage. In one 16th-century drama he
Zhong-kui with his bat, conjuring up good fortune
