芝罘区的两座魁星楼

Two Kuixing Towers in Zhifu District

魁星是中国古代神话中主宰文章兴衰的神。在儒士学子心目中,魁星具有至高无上的地位,儒士学子们都希望托魁星的福,在科举上有所成就。旧时中国很多地方建有祭祀魁星的魁星楼、魁星阁等建筑物,都香火鼎盛。没见过魁星像的人也许会想,既然魁星是主管功名科举的,一定是一位文质彬彬的白面书生吧?

Kuixing(The God of Literature)was the god who mastered the X^x is e and decline of literature in ancient Chinese fairy tales.In the eyes of Confucian scholars and students,Kuixing held a supreme status,whose blessings they all hoped to get to make achievements in imperial examinations.In the old times buildings such as Kuixing Tower and Kuixing Pavilion were built in many places in China,all of which enjoyed numerous prayers.Those who have never seen the portrait of Kuixing might think he must be a gentle and refined faircomplexioned scholar since he was in charge of scholarly honors and imperial examinations.As a matter of fact,the fact was opposite.Kuixing looked fierce with a golden body and a green face,red hair and round eyes with two antlers in the head,seemingly in the style of a ghost.