Door Gods | Men Shen
- Men Shen, spiritual guards, safeguard homes from demons and ghosts.
- Door guards depicted as ferocious warriors, one white, one black.
- Alternative style features civilian guards with wooden staves.
- Legends attribute the door gods, Qin and Yuo, to the Tang Dynasty generals.
- Emperor Taizong's gratitude leads to the immortalization of door guards.
- Dou Mu, the Chinese goddess, holds the book of life and death, representing the North Star.
- Dou Mu is revered in Taoist, Buddhist, and Christian traditions.
- Depicted on a lotus throne with a Buddhist crown, three eyes, and 18 arms.
Ancient Chinese Mythology
Chinese Door Guards: Men Shen
In the realm of Chinese folklore, spiritual protectors known as MEN SHEN served as guardians, keeping DEMONS and GHOSTS at bay, safeguarding the sanctity of homes.
Origins of Men Shen
These guardians trace their roots back to ancient times, believed to be warrior spirits dedicated to preventing condemned souls from escaping the depths of hell.
Door Guard Figures
The typical manifestation of door guards consists of life-sized depictions portraying fierce warriors—one in white, the other in black—clad in complete battle attire. Often, these figures were affixed to doors as a protective measure.
Variations in Door Guard Styles
An alternative style involves civilian door guards wielding wooden staves, strategically placed on doors to ward off spirits, particularly during the auspicious occasion of New Year's Eve.
Legends of the Door Guards
According to a legend, the white-faced door god is identified as Qin, while the black-faced counterpart is known as Yuo. They earned their names in homage to two generals who willingly stood guard at the doors of Emperor Taizong of the TANG DYNASTY (A. D. 618–906). The emperor, disturbed by a disturbance caused by demons and spirits outside his bedroom, found relief the next day when the guards silenced the mischievous entities. In gratitude, the emperor, worried about their lack of rest, had an artist draw their likenesses. The demons, unable to discern reality, were fooled.
Dou Mu: The Mother of the Great Wagon
DOU MU (T’IEN MU, TAO MU, TOU MU), also known as the "Mother of the Great Wagon," is a Chinese goddess entrusted with the book that chronicles the life and death of every individual on EARTH.
Multiple Names and Representations
Referred to as the Human Sovereign, T’ien Mu, Tao Mu, and Bushel Mother, North Star, Dou Mu holds a significant place in Chinese mythology, crossing various traditions. According to Taoist beliefs, Dou Mu radiated light upon comprehending celestial mysteries, while Buddhists recognize her as the Goddess of Light. Some Christians even identified her with Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus.
Iconography of Dou Mu
In artistic depictions, Dou Mu is portrayed seated on a LOTUS throne, adorned with a Buddhist crown. Characterized by three eyes and 18 arms, she wields the books of life and death, overseeing the duration of human existence.