There are some interesting folk tales about the tradition of these posters, but I only remember that these guys are generals of the Tang dynasty; and their images are supposed to ward off evil spirits. It is also important that when you stick the posters, the generals are facing each other to bring harmony to the house.
This is actually a display at an exhibition, we don’t see many of these posters in urban HK now but I am sure the generals are still guarding doors in some suburb areas ;-).
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This entry was posted by Lisi on Wednesday, June 28th, 2006, at 5:10 pm, and was filed in A bit of traditions.
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I absolutely like it
Strong colors make this display a really powerful one. Really nice.
June 28th, 2006, at 5:45 pm #Handy guards to have on the door. They probably don’t eat too much or be distracted by goodlooking women!
June 28th, 2006, at 6:15 pm #Lovely shot. I’d put some outside our flat but we’ve only got one door
June 28th, 2006, at 6:31 pm #Oh! Oh! I’m in trouble. I have only one, facing to his left. I got my beautiful poster from a professor during a workshop on Asian literature. Mine graces a wall on my stairwell and the warrior protects my home. I’d love to have another one, too!
June 28th, 2006, at 8:28 pm #It’s a lovely photo–again!
great framing and cropping in this shot.
June 28th, 2006, at 8:33 pm #These traditional guards don’t look that frightening to me
Love the colors and details.
June 28th, 2006, at 9:37 pm #How beautiful! I also like the five little red flaglets on top.
June 28th, 2006, at 9:54 pm #I’d be a little intimidated if I was a spirit *S*
June 28th, 2006, at 11:12 pm #we still see some in the chinese areas of KL. the protectors of the home/property. great colours lisi!
June 29th, 2006, at 12:11 am #If I was a spirit, I wouldn’t go in!
June 29th, 2006, at 12:43 am #Absolutely wonderful
June 29th, 2006, at 3:13 am #Striking colours!
And i like hippo shot, soo lovely
June 29th, 2006, at 5:07 am #I have really enjoyed the info. I like symmetry and colors too.
June 29th, 2006, at 7:54 am #Hehehehe they look really mean!
June 29th, 2006, at 2:44 pm #Hey, Lisi!
Nice post!
June 29th, 2006, at 4:31 pm #back home, my mom still puts up the red banner at the top every new year..yup for safeguarding the family
Farewell My Concubine is the first thing that comes to mind when I see this because I just saw this movie a month ago - interesting custom!
June 29th, 2006, at 5:25 pm #Bob, you can stick two on one door, just remember to put them facing each other…
Kate, I haven’t heard anything negative effect if there is only one…but I’ve never seen them on single though…
I almost forgot to photograph this, as Edwin and Kris mentioned, they are very common in Chinese societies…
Thank you all for liking this photo!
June 29th, 2006, at 5:52 pm #Nice blog. I alwaws liked HK, especially the Kai Tak airport (never been there, I just loved the planes approach). Some day I travel there.
See ya…g
June 29th, 2006, at 10:50 pm #