by 曾凱暄
There are two people on the carvings. Is there anyone that knows who they are respectively? Well, those are good guesses, but the correct answer is 神荼,鬱壘. The one on your right hand side is called 神荼, whereas the one on your left hand side鬱壘.
Now I cannot wait to tell you the stories of these two. Basically, there were not any Door Gods at any city gates. But, the North Gate, in particular, was very unique. It is because this North Gate is the only one having Door Gods. That was because allegedly the governor of that time was murdered. Even though later it was confirmed a misinformation. However people of the time thought it was inauspicious, and therefore they thought it was more appropriate to incorporate this feature despite being rarely seen.
Both of them were the deities that examined evil ghosts in ancient China. These two were to be against them. It was even said that they both were quite ugly-looking and fierce-looking. As a result of this, they were responsible for taking good care of the gigantic peach tree and the ghost doorway that many came to and fro. If found any ghosts that harmed folks, then 神荼 and 鬱壘 would tie them with a straw rope and dump them into the mountain so as to be eaten by ferocious tigers. Legend even has it that it did pay off. Consequently, quite a few people back then had the portrait of these two at the door in order to expel the evil spirits or the ghosts. All in all, 神荼 and 鬱壘 are the Door Gods. Whenever you pay a visit to a temple, you will get to see these two portraits inside a temple for sure. It goes without saying that they are really commonly seen. So, you have all seen this one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Then we are more able to learn lessons from history itself. On the other hand, we can appreciate the merits and the virtues that ancient people had at their times.
Door Gods on the North Gate
