ZAO-JUN

ZAO-JUN: Domestic God of the Fireplace.

He had one hell of a life as a mortal. It all seemed to be going so well... until he fell in love with another woman.

From there it was the old old story of losing his wife, going blind, losing his mistress, becoming a beggar and getting burnt to ashes in the kitchen stove.

However, as luck would have it, there was a vacancy for a Kitchen God and he got the job, helped by the piety of his grieving mistress. Now he can be found in every household, keeping an eye on things and offering protection.

Something of a celestial snoop, he compiles an official report on every family which is sent to the JADE-EMPEROR on New Year's Day. But he's not above a little bribery. Next time you have a Chinese take-out, order some extra noodles or honey cakes to keep him happy. And he does like a drink.