Malaysia / China: Carving of the fox spirit Su Daji, depicting her role in the 16th Century Ming Dynasty novel Fengshen Yanyi ('Investiture of the Gods'). From Ping Sien Si Temple, Pasir Panjang Laut

Su Daji, often just known as Daji, was a malevolent fox spirit in Chinese mythology, popularised and playing central roles in various stories and novels, such as the Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi'. In the latter novel, the spirit that would become Daji is summoned by the goddess Nuwa alongside two others, Pipa Jing and Jiutou Zhiji Jing, to cause havoc and chaos for King Zhou of Shang after his insult against her within her own temple.

Originally a daughter from the Su noble family, Daji had been promised to King Zhou as a peace prize. While on her way to Zhaoge, the capital city of the Shang Dynasty, she was killed and possessed by the thousand-year-old vixen spirit, who went on to bewitch King Zhou and become his favourite consort. King Zhou became obsessed with her, neglecting his duties to keep her company. King Zhou became increasingly more debauched and cruel in his attempts to please her, with the fox spirit making him torture others for her amusement, inventing myriad methods and instuments of torture.

Daji was blamed for the eventual fall of the Shang Dynasty due to her bewitching of King Zhou. When King Wu of Zhou eventually rose up in revolt with the aid of the resentful common people, he destroyed the Shang Dynasty. Su Daji was caught as she attempted to flee, and was exorcised by nobleman and sage Jiang Ziya, dying eventually.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

Anandajoti

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