Tai'an residents all prayed to him to keep evil at bay. Because he was too busy to visit every household, locals began inscribing his name on stone tablets to scare away evil.

During the Tang and Song dynasties (618-1279), people would have stones carved with the Chinese characters Shigandang to set at important places to pray for blessings and avoid evil. After the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), this belief was integrated with the worship of Mount Tai, the sacred mountain between heaven and earth, where ancient Chinese emperors prayed for the peace of the country.

It has developed into a unique custom in Tai'an. Thus, the mountain is also called "Mount Tai Shigandang", often associated with sunrise, birth and renewal.

Many other legends about Shigandang have prevailed in Tai'an, and many other art forms display this unique custom, including Shandong Bangzi (Wooden Clapper Opera), shadow puppetry, calligraphy and painting.

This custom is widely influential in China, as well as in other countries and regions such as Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea.

The Mount Tai Shigandang stone tablet is seen at the Ruins of St Paul's, Macao's landmark. [Photo/tssgd.com]