Skip to main content

Door Gods Yu Lei and Shen Tu – Catchers of Evil Spirits and Ghosts (Diptych)

Chinese

Artwork Details

Door Gods Yu Lei and Shen Tu – Catchers of Evil Spirits and Ghosts (Diptych)
19th-20th century
Chinese
woodblock print on paper
30 in x 20 in (76.2 cm x 50.8 cm)
Gift of Sharlynn and Andrew Circo, in memory of Sotokichi Katsuizumi
2015/2.162.1

Description

Subject Matter:

This figure is one of the door gods. The Chinese door gods are known for their trustworthiness, strength, and loyalty, and are suposed to keep evil spirits from entering. Door gods normally face each other in pairs because it is considered bad luck to place them back-to-back.

Physical Description:

The left panel of a diptych with an unpainted background. A figure is depicted in a brightly-colored robe with an ornamented staff. The figure has a red face with a large black beard and moustache. He is facing to his left.

Usage Rights:

If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.