Ghostbuster: Zhong Kui, the Demon Queller

Here to Protect the Family

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  Tanzender Zhong Kui, Detail, China, Yangliuqing, 1. Hälfte 20. Jh., Holzschnitt

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  Gao Qipei (1660–1734), Zhong Kui mit Schwert, Detail, Qing-Dynastie (1644 – 1911), datiert 1716 am Tag des Drachenboot-Festes, Fingermalerei

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  Zhong Kui begleitet seine Schwester zu ihrem neuen Zuhause, Detail, Qing-Dynastie (1644–1911), 19. Jh.

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  Zhong Kui als Beschützer des Hauses, China, Zhuxianzhen, Provinz Henan, 1. Hälfte 20. Jh., Holzschnitt

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  Dem Palast zugeordnete, militärische Gottheiten, China, Yangliuqing, 1. Hälfte 20. Jh., Holzschnitt

According to legends, Zhong Kui 鍾馗 was a brilliant scholar. Although he achieved the highest score in the imperial examination, the emperor denied him the honorary title (狀元) because of his looks. In a fit of rage, he committed suicide. However, the King of Hell recognized his potential and tasked him with hunting evil spirits.
In the arts, Zhong Kui is often depicted wearing an official’s hat, with a bushy black beard, bulging eyes, and an angry expression. Sometimes he is wielding a sword, sometimes he is the dutiful brother giving his sister away as a bride. Woodblock printed images of him posted on doors protect shops and family homes, particularly during the New Year’s or Dragon Boat Festivals. Today, Zhong Kui also appears in video games hunting ghosts.
Curator
The exhibition is curated by Birgitta Augustin.

A temporary presentation of the Museum für Asiatische Kunst (Asian Art Museum) of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin in Gallery 319 “Artists and Connoisseurs” at the Humboldt Forum.

Runtime: Wed, 18/03/2026 to Mon, 28/09/2026

Price info: With just one ticket, you will have access to the permanent exhibitions and temporary presentations – and you can choose between a one-day, two-day or group ticket for maximum flexibility. All of these ticket options allow you to visit the collections of the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art, BERLIN GLOBAL, as well as other temporary exhibitions. The ticket is also valid for the special exhibition Family Matters (from 3 October) with interventions throughout the building and in the Knoblauchhaus Museum in the Nikolaiviertel.

Many areas and programmes are accessible to you free of charge – including the Humboldt Laboratory with the new exhibition On Water. Water Knowledge in Berlin, the stairwell with Impressions. The Humboldt Brothers, the castle cellar, the sculpture hall, the video panorama and the presentation Traces. You can also attend numerous events and educational programmes without paying admission.

Price: €14.00

Reduced price: €7.00

Reduced price info: Admission remains free of charge for children and young people up to the age of 19, persons accompanying a severely disabled person (provided this is noted as B on the severely disabled person’s pass), persons receiving transfer payments and Berlin-Ticket-S-holders. Admission is also free of charge for Members of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the German Museums Association and the Federal Association for Museum Education.

Takes place here:

• Humboldt Forum