Zhong Kui Brings Blessings
Wall Scroll

Bringing Blessings Picture

Yǐn Fú Tú

Close up view of the artwork mounted to this silk brocade wall scroll

This wall scroll features Zhong Kui, a Taoist deity in Chinese mythology.

Zhong Kui is renowned as a formidable vanquisher of ghosts and evil spirits, often depicted with a fierce and imposing appearance, accompanied by a dark, disheveled beard. The most common origin story describes him as a talented scholar who was denied recognition due to his grotesque appearance, leading to his suicide and subsequent appointment by the Underworld Judge as the "King of Ghosts" to hunt and banish spirits. Today, he is a symbol of protection, with his likeness hung in homes and businesses to ward off malevolent forces, especially around the time of the Lunar New Year and the Double Fifth Festival.

The characters after the title (引福圖, which can mean "Bringing Blessings Picture," or "Extending Fortune Image") are 戊子年中奇作, which indicates this was painted in 2008 by Zhong.

This is a large wall scroll. Use care when unrolling and hanging this.

About the Artist...

The artist's name is (Zhong Qi).