Accession Number
1983/2.128

Title
Yao Ritual Scroll

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
19th century - mid 20th century

Medium & Support
hanging scroll, ink and color on cotton

Dimensions
47 1/2 in. x 19 7/8 in. ( 120.6 cm x 50.5 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Karl Bass of Kabaco Tools, Inc.

Label copy

In Yao Taoism, marshals guard the holy precinct against malevolent forces. In this painting Marshal Zhao, the largest gure, moves dynamically through the space above two smaller marshals, Ma and Zhang. In one hand he brandishes a sta and with the other he grasps the tail of a tiger. He is commonly illustrated as a warrior figure with bulging eyes and dark skin. Marshall Ma, in the lower left corner, is identified by the third eye located in the center of his forehead, as well as the triangular object in one of his hands. Marshal Zhang, in the opposite corner, is usually depicted as a generic warrior figure with a delicate mustache and beard. 

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
hanging scroll

Additional Object Classification(s)
Ritual Object

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
Figures
Rites and Rituals
gods
gods (dieties)
tiger