Page 413 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols 406

Zhong-kui with his magic sword

is a scholar who lives with his sister in the mountains of Western China. He is keen to
attend the state examination, but lacks the money for the journey. So he goes to a rich
benefactor who provides him with enough money and a sword. On his way, he visits
a temple whose monks lay on a feast for his benefactor. Zhong-kui gets drunk, swears at
the monks and spoils the feast. If demons can harm men, he says, they should not be
honoured with feasts but stamped out. The spirits of starvation in hell then complain
to Guan-yin, the goddess of mercy. She pardons him; but at Buddha’s behest he is
nevertheless punished, and he falls ill. While an invalid, he is attacked by demons who

alter his physical appearance, turn his face black, and give him a comic beard into the
bargain. He takes part in an examination and passes; at the ensuing examination,
however, he is turned down because of his exceptionally hideous appearance, and he then
commits suicide. In hell, however, he is admired and is given an army of 3,000
soldiers to help him slay demons. He promises his benefactor his sister as wife. Several
plays are concerned with the sister’s betrothal. In yet another play, Zhong-kui commands
84,000 spirits and is installed as guardian at the bridge leading into the underworld.
Zhong-li Quan