Polestar Deity Kui Xing, Ming dynasty (1368–1644), 16th–17th century, China, Leaded tin brass; lost-wax cast, H. 9 1/2 in. (24 cm), Sculpture, The Pole Star, a popular religious figure associated with the Lord of Literature (Wen Chang Dijun), was the tutelary spirit presiding over the civil-service examinations. Depicted as a demonic figure (the name of the star is a homophone for the word for 'eminent,' which is composed of the ideograph for 'demon' and the ideograph for 'dipper'), the Pole Star had a cult that became particularly important in Ming times, when the number of examination candidates competing for the limited number of available official appointments made divine help all the more welcome
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Polestar Deity Kui Xing, Ming dynasty, 1368–1644, 16th–17th century, China, Leaded tin brass, lost-wax cast, H, 9 1/2, 24 cm, Sculpture, Pole, Star, popular religious, figure, associated, Lord, Literature, Wen Chang, Dijun, tutelary spirit, presiding, civil-service examinations, Depicted, demonic figure, name, star, homophone, word, eminent, composed, ideograph, demon, dipper, Pole Star, cult, particularly important, times, number, examination candidates, competing, limited number, available official, appointments, divine help, welcome
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