North Wind, Wind Chicken Introduction
In Kinmen, people are familiar with the Wind Lion God; in Little Kinmen (Lieyu), however, there are two local symbols of wind suppression and evil-warding—North Wind God and Wind Chicken. Both serve as folk beliefs to combat natural disasters, but their origins, imagery, and functions are distinct, collectively forming the unique belief landscape of Little Kinmen. The North Wind God, also known as the Northern King, Wind King, or Black-faced Wind King, is the guardian deity established by the residents of Little Kinmen to suppress the strong northern winds in winter. The statue has a dark face, wears a python robe, and holds a pagoda, presenting a solemn demeanor facing north, symbolizing the pacification of wind and protection of the village boundaries. The visible North Wind God today is located along the road between the western part of Lieyu and Houzhai Village, making it one of the most representative local deities in Little Kinmen. The Wind Chicken originates from a long-standing legend. It is said that Little Kinmen once suffered consecutive years of drought, insect plagues, and wind disasters, leaving the people in distress. One day, a divine chicken with a red crown and white feathers flew in from afar, revitalizing the land where it stepped. To commemorate its miracle, residents began placing clay sculptures of Wind Chickens at the edges of villages or on rooftops as symbols of wind suppression, evil-warding, and ant-repelling. Nowadays, Wind Chicken statues can still be seen on rooftops or at village entrances in settlements such as Huangcuo, the west, Nantang, and Dongkeng, representing a unique cultural landscape in the Lieyu area.
