Kui Xing

Kuixing, or Kui Xing, is translated as "Chief Star" and is the deification of the Pole Star. He is said to be the helper of Wenchang Wang, the deification of Ursa Major. According to the Grand Historian and Astronomer Sima Qian, Chinese astronomers used Ursa Major, or the Big Dipper, to find the Pole Star which points due north and is part of the handle of Ursa Minor, or the Little Dipper, "ever since people had existed." He is known as the God of Examinations and in earlier Chinese history was given offerings by students hoping to perform well on the Imperial Civil Service exams. This tradition continues today as students seeking help with their tests give incense, prayers, or leave offerings of food to Kui Xing at temples of Wenchang Wang.

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