Abstract: Folk images can be interpreted as "historical material" with the mutual illustration of pictures and history. This may provide folk pictorial evidences for explaining the historical logic of political and cultural revolutions, and the development of production and life. The special collection of Chinese paper gods at Columbia University has not yet been introduced in the Chinese academia. Regarding the "Standard for Shrine Preservation or Demolition" issued by the government of the Republic of China as the cultural background to interpret this collection, this paper makes an overall examination of this cherished collection and takes folk pictures as evidences to trace back the tension and balance between national will and folk faith in the historical transition period of China in the early 20^th century.

Key words: “Standard for Shrine Preservation or Demolition”, special collections of paper gods at Columbia University, historical material