This print depicts a Military Door God with an elaborate costume that makes him look imposing. Prints of Military Door Gods are usually modelled after famous heroes, but some may just depict a general-like figure. The door gods usually come in pairs and are placed facing each other to prevent spirits from passing through the doors. Door Gods were the earliest form of ‘Chinese New Year prints’ (年画, nianhua). This print was produced in Taohuawu, a village in Suzhou province in China, famous for its ‘nianhua’.
