King Yan
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In Chinese mythology and religion, Yan Wang is the god of death and the ruler of Diyu, overseeing the "Ten Kings of Hell" in its capital of Youdu. He is also known as Yan luo wang, a transcription of the Sanskrit for "King Yama". Yan Wang is the fifth judge in the court of underworld. In both ancient and modern times, Yan is portrayed as a large man with a scowling red face, bulging eyes, and a long beard. He wears traditional robes and a judge's cap or a crown which bears the Chinese character for "king" (王). He typically appears on Chinese hell money in the position reserved for political figures on regular currency.
A depiction of Yanluo one of the Ten Kings of Hell.
Miyazu, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Statue of Yama (Enma) at Nariai-ji
Chinese illustration of Yan Wang as a local judge
Yama, mid-17th century, Tibet
Diyu
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Diyu is the realm of the dead or "hell" in Chinese mythology. It is loosely based on a combination of the Buddhist concept of Naraka, traditional Chinese beliefs about the afterlife, and a variety of popular expansions and reinterpretations of these two traditions. The concept parallels purgatory in certain Christian denomininations.
Dead of the underworld depicted in a Qing dynasty Water and Land Ritual painting.
Depiction of the punishments of Diyu at the Hell Museum, Bao Gong Temple, Singapore.
Entrance to the "Ten Courts of Hell" attraction in Haw Par Villa, Singapore. The Ox-Headed (right) and Horse-Faced (left) Hell Guards stand guard at the entrance.
Ming dynasty (16th century) glazed earthenware figurines representing three of the ten Yanwang or Yama Kings.