Heavenly Official Presenting Prosperity

Complementing the martial door gods are these heavenly officials, who dress in the attire of imperial civil officials. They are assigned to watch the entrances of various rooms inside the house, where the doors are often beautifully designed with openwork like the wood panel here. These officials present symbolic objects that will bring wealth and honor to the rooms. Specifically, the official on the top print presents a scroll inscribed with blessings; the center pair presents a fish and a peach that symbolize prosperity and longevity; and the bottom pair amplifies the blessings with five children, each holding a lucky symbol.