Guanti, God of Justice on a Hǒu, China (16325BEM)

Description

This masterfully and elaborately carved image represents the legendary Guan Ti (also Guandi, Guan Yu), the Chinese God of War and Justice wearing a celestial scarf.  This most popular Chinese historical military hero is all things to all men, prayed to for protection and prosperity. He is generally portrayed as here wearing a soldier’s uniform with protective chain mail amour and an officials cap with feathered wings.  Unlike from other war gods, Guanti never starts wars and only offers protection when there is injustice. He solves personal, domestic and national problems. In the 16th century he was admitted to the Taoist pantheon. Over 1,600 State temples and thousands of smaller ones were erected in his honor, and he became one of the most popular gods in China. In the 19th century the Chinese Emperor designated him Military Emperor and elevated him to the level of Confucius. In Mahayana Buddhism he is worshiped as a Guardian or Dharma Protector in Buddhist temples and a sentinel to the Western Paradise of Amitabha Buddha in Pure Land Buddhism. Legends about his feats were immortalized in popular and religious art, literature, and even operas. He is seated on a Hǒu, a mythical animal that looks like a lion and is a composite of 10 animals. The Hǒu guards its masters wealth and protects them from evil and bad fortune. This carving and the carving of  16327         were decorative components of the bed frame of a wealthy family to protect the occupants while they slept. It is covered with red and gilt, auspicious color to attract the good fortune and blessings of fu. Finely carved it is mounted on a frosted acrylic base.