Ox-Head (simplified Chinese: 牛头; traditional Chinese: 牛頭; pinyin: Niútóu; Wade–Giles: niu2-t'ou2) and Horse-Face (simplified Chinese: 马面; traditional Chinese: 馬面; pinyin: Mǎmiàn; Wade–Giles: ma3-mien4) are two guardians or types of guardians of …

Dec 28, 2022 · Ox-head and Horse-face are the gatekeepers of the Chinese underworld, guiding recently deceased souls to the court of justice. Read more about these ancient folk figures in our guide.

According to the Alexander Romance (1.15), the name "Bucephalus" literally means "ox-headed" (from βοῦς and κεφᾰλή), and supposedly comes from a brand (or scar) on the thigh of the horse that looked like an ox's head.

They usually have an ox's head with sharp upward-curving horns, wicked fangs and a slender tongue. They spit poison and enjoy killing and eating humans. Their body is most commonly depicted as spider-like with six legs and long singular claws at the end of each appendage.

The original pictograph for this letter is a picture of an ox head () representing strength and power from the work performed by the animal. This pictograph also represents a chief or other leader. When two oxen are yoked together for pulling a wagon or plow, one is the older and more experienced one who leads the other.

Ox-Head and Horse-Face are two prominent guardians in Chinese mythology. As their names suggest, Ox-Head has the head of an ox, while Horse-Face has the face of a horse. According to Chinese mythology, they are the first entities that Chinese individuals encounter after death, and they help navigate dead souls to the underworld.

Gozu, the ox-headed guardian, has a large, muscular body with the head of an ox, complete with sharp horns. Mezu, the horse-faced guardian, possesses a leaner physique with a fierce expression and elongated horse-like features.

Translation: ox head Alternate names: gozuki (ox head demon) Habitat: Meido and Jigoku. Appearance: In Japanese Buddhism, Gozu and Mezu are the demon generals who guard the gates of hell. They appear as terrible oni with animal heads; an ox head for Gozu, and a horse head for Mezu. They are extremely powerful and have the strength to move ...

Ox-Head (simplified Chinese: 牛头; traditional Chinese: 牛頭; pinyin: Niútóu; Wade–Giles: niu2-t'ou2) and Horse-Face (simplified Chinese: 马面; traditional Chinese: 馬面; pinyin: Mǎmiàn; Wade–Giles: ma3-mien4) are two guardians or types of guardians of …

Niu-Tou (Ox head) (simplified Chinese: 牛头; traditional Chinese: 牛頭) along with Ma-Mian (Horse face) are two fearsome guardians of the Underworld in Chinese mythology.