2024 New Year Outlook In the ancient and mysterious mythological era, two heroic generals were born between heaven and earth, they are Shen Tu and Yu Lei, the invincible generals under the command of the Yellow Emperor. The brothers were born with a knack for catching ghosts, and whenever they appeared, they mercilessly tied them up with reeds and threw them to the tigers in the mountains. As soon as the ghosts heard the names of Shen Tu and Yu Lei, they were so frightened that they did not dare to approach.
As the years passed, people began to see the heroic brothers as the patron saints of their homeland. They painted the images of Shen Tu and Yu Lei on the mahogany board and pasted them on the gate, hoping to ward off evil spirits and bless their families with safety. These two brothers stood tall in the position of the door god, and over time, some people even called them the "authentic" door gods.
The doors of the Lunar New Year slowly opened, and it was a long-awaited moment of reunion for families. The gate is made up of two mahogany planks, and the two gate gods are also guarding the two sides. On this festive day, every household sticks a mahogany board with a portrait of the gods and a yulei on the door, hoping that they will bring good luck and blessings to their families.
During the Southern Dynasties, people began to record this unique custom. It is recorded in the "Jing Chu Years Chronicles": "On the first day of the first month, the peach board is made, which is called the fairy wood. Painting two gods sticks to the left and right, the left god, the right base, commonly known as the door god. Since then, the image and legend of the door god have become widely spread among the people and have become an indispensable part of folk beliefs.
The heroic deeds of Shen Tu and Yu Lei are also recorded in detail in classics such as "The Classic of Mountains and Seas", "Customs and Customs", and "Rebuilding the Weft Book Collection". These two heroes have become the patron saints of people, and their deeds have inspired generations to move forward.
One day, the Yellow Emperor learned of this legend, and he was very happy. In order to thank the gods and Yu Lei for bringing peace and tranquility to the world, the Yellow Emperor decided to personally hold a grand sacrificial ceremony for them. He ordered a huge mahogany figure to be made, and painted the images of the gods, the yulei, and the tiger on the portal. This is the original image of the door god, and it is also the most moving part of the folk legend.
Nowadays, every Lunar New Year, every household will paste the portrait of the door god on the door. They believed that these two valiant generals would be able to protect the peace and happiness of their homeland. This tradition has been passed down for thousands of years and has become one of the unique cultural symbols of the Chinese nation. The stories of Shen Tu and Yu Lei will always be sung among the people, becoming a source of strength that inspires people to move forward bravely.