Kuixing Ye (Star Lord of Literature)

The legend of Kuixing is a story about judging people by their looks.

It was told in the Song dynasty: there was a scholar of brilliant talent and dazzling writing who failed the exams again and again because he was ugly. He refused to give up, sat the exams again and again, and at last placed first. But when he came before the emperor for the palace examination, the emperor was so shocked by his face that he wanted to strip him of his title.

The scholar defended himself before the throne, neither humble nor arrogant: "Your servant's face may be ugly, but his learning shines like the sun and moon. If you choose men by their looks, how will you win over the scholars of the realm?" Then, on the spot, he wrote a rhapsody and set out his views on governing the nation. The emperor was won over completely. Here was a man whose talent could "take first place among all the scholars of the realm," and he named him top scholar.

This scholar was later honored as Kuixing, the symbol of choosing scholars for talent, not for looks. One explanation says his ghostly appearance comes from exactly that unremarkable face. Being ugly doesn't matter; with real learning, even an emperor has to bow.

Another explanation comes from the character itself: 魁 is made of 鬼 ("ghost") and 斗 ("dipper"), and the first four stars of the Northern Dipper are together called "Kui," so Kuixing is the leading star of the Dipper and governs the scholarly fortunes of the world. Both explanations survive today, one about a person's determination, the other about a star in the sky.

Offerings to Kuixing are full of puns: scallions (cong, for clever), garlic (suan, for good at calculating), radish (caitou, for good luck), zongzi (for passing), cake (gao, for high scores), and apples (ping, for taking the exam in peace). A whole table of offerings adds up to one blessing.

Students can also bring their admission tickets and stationery to pass over the censer, circling them three times above it to borrow a little of Kuixing's spiritual power. Some temples offer a "Kuixing brush" you can take home, symbolizing flowering writing and flowing ideas.

When you pray, spell out the subjects you're taking and the scores you're aiming for, and say how you plan to work for them. Kuixing worship is about "people and god working together": he gives you a boost, but you still have to do the studying. When the results come out and you've made it, remember to bring offerings back to the temple to give thanks.

Kuixing's Birthday: the 7th day of the 7th lunar month. Chihkan Tower in Tainan holds a Kuixing ceremony every year around Qixi.

Before major exam seasons: Before each January (college entrance exam), May (junior high comprehensive assessment), July (advanced subjects test), and year-end (civil service and national exams), Kuixing and Wenchang temples everywhere fill with students and parents. Students are advised to go about a week before the exam to avoid the busiest times.

Giving thanks after success: After results are announced, many students who got into the school or job they wanted bring offerings back to the temple to fulfill their vows, and families coming just to give thanks are a common sight around Kuixing temples.