The Kitchen God
In Chinese folk religion and Chinese mythology, the Kitchen god, named Zao Jun (Chinese: 灶君; Mandarin Pinyin: Zào Jūn; Jyutping: Joe3 Gwan4; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chàu-kun or Chàu-kun-kong (灶君公); literally "stove master") or Zao Shen (Chinese: 灶神; pinyin: Zào Shén; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chàu-sîn; literally "stove god or stove spirit"), is the most important of a plethora of Chinese domestic gods that protect the hearth and family. In addition he is celebrated in Vietnamese culture as well.
It is believed that on the twenty third day of the twelfth lunar month, just before Chinese New Year he returns to Heaven to report the activities of every household over the past year to the Jade Emperor (Yu Huang). The Jade Emperor, emperor of the heavens, either rewards or punishes a family based on Zao Jun's yearly report.
Read more about The Kitchen God: The Story of Zao Jun, Worship and Customs, Family, Zao Jun in Literature, In Popular Culture
Famous quotes containing the words kitchen and/or god:
“I have been in Sorrow’s kitchen and licked out all the pots. Then I have stood on the peaky mountain wrapped in rainbows, with a harp and a sword in my hands.”
—Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960)
“A good intention clothes itself with sudden power. When a god wishes to ride, any chip or pebble will bud and shoot out winged feet and serve him for a horse.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)