凶神 - Meaning and Cultural Significance of the Chinese Characters for Fierce Deity #2074979 (License: Personal Use)

The image displays the Chinese term 凶神 (pinyin: xiōng shén), composed of 凶 (“fierce,” “ominous”) and 神 (“deity,” “spirit”). In traditional Chinese belief systems, 凶神 refers to malevolent or destructive deities or celestial influences that bring misfortune, illness, or disaster. These entities appear in Taoist cosmology, almanacs (tongshu), and exorcistic rituals, where they are either appeased or ritually expelled to ensure harmony and safety.

This image is typically used on cultural, linguistic, or religious websites discussing Chinese folk religion, Taoist cosmology, or character etymology; it serves users seeking to understand symbolic terms in classical texts, talismans, or protective charms.