Kuixing

God of Examinations

First star of the Big Dipper, shown stamping the dragon-turtle’s head with a vermilion brush.

Kuixing comes from Kui, the first star of the Big Dipper, honored as the god of literary fortune. His image stands on the head of the great turtle with a vermilion brush raised to dot the roll of successful candidates — “standing alone on the turtle’s head” became the phrase for coming first in the examinations. Before every imperial test, scholars burned incense to him in hope of the brush’s mark.