![]() In Japanese mythology, Ox-Head and Horse-Face are known as "Gozu" and "Mezu" respectively. ![]() He then crosses out his name and those of all non-human primates on earth from the record of living souls, hence granting a second level of immortality to himself and general immortality to his monkey children. In the Chinese classical novel Journey to the West, Ox-Head and Horse-Face are among the underworld denizens overpowered by Sun Wukong after his soul is dragged to hell in his sleep. In one legend, Ox-Head was created by the king when he took pity on a recently deceased ox who had worked hard all his life, so the king made him one of his faithful servants. Ox-Head and Horse-Face also play the role of messengers of the king of hell, Yanluo Wang (閻羅王). Souls are then rewarded or punished based on the actions performed in their lifetime. In their duties as guardians of Diyu, the realm of the dead, their role is to capture human souls who have reached the end of their earthly existence and bring them before the courts of Hell. The Ox-Headed (right) and Horse-Faced (left) Hell Guards stand guard at the entrance. Entrance to the "Ten Courts of Hell" attraction in Haw Par Villa, Singapore.
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