Seen here in his typical pose, holding a brush and a seal box or ink pad, and riding on a water dragon, Kuixing is one of many gods of literature in Chinese religion. Like Wenchang 文昌, another god of literature, Kuixing was initially a constellation deity in charge of one’s academic success. Later, he was venerated by scholars sitting for imperial examinations. His brush determined the fate of the scholar as it inscribed the names of only the successful. Today, Kuixing is popular amongst students and anxious mothers praying for good academic results.
