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:
“Ah done been in sorrow’s kitchen and Ah done licked out all de pots. Ah done died in grief and been buried in de bitter waters, and Ah done rose agin from de dead lak Lazarus.”
—Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960)
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!””
—Bible: New Testament, Luke 2:13,14.