Taoist coin charms (), or Daoist coin charms are a family of categories of Chinese and Vietnamese numismatic charms that incorporate elements of the Taoist religion. Taoist coin charms come in various shapes, sizes, and formats and can contain inscriptions or wholly pictorial designs. While a large number of Taoist coin charms have their inscriptions written in traditional Chinese characters, a subset of Taoist coin charms have inscriptions written in Taoist "magic" writing. In these countries similar numismatic charms existed for Buddhist and Confucianism, and at times Taoist coin charms would also incorporate symbolism from these other religions.
In the case of these coins, "charm" in this context is a catchall term for coin-shaped items which were not official (or counterfeit) money. However, these numismatic objects were not necessarily considered "magical" or "lucky", as some of these Chinese numismatic charms can be used as "mnemonic coins".
Themes and types of Taoist coin charms
Since ancient times, the Chinese had attributed magical powers and influence to Hanzi characters. They believed that certain characters could impact spirits, which were in turn believed to be responsible for good and ill fortune. The Huainanzi describes spirits as horror-stricken at being commanded by the magical powers of the Hanzi characters used for amulets and charms. Many early Han dynasty talismans were worn as pendants containing inscriptions requesting that people who were deified in the Taoist religion to lend them protection. Some Taoist charms contain inscriptions based on Taoist "magic writing" (, also known as Taoist magic script characters, Taoist magic figures, Taoist magic formulas, Taoist secret talismanic writing, and Talismanic characters) which is a secret writing style regarded as part of Fulu. Its techniques are passed from Taoist priests to their students and differ between Taoist sects, with a secrecy that led many people to believe that they would have more effect in controlling the will of the spirits.
As the majority of these charms asked Leigong (the Taoist God of Thunder) to kill the evil spirits or bogies, these numismatic charms are often called "Lei Ting" charms () or "Lei Ting curse" charms. As imperial decrees had absolute authority, this reinforced the popular myth that Hanzi characters were somehow magical, and inspired Chinese talismans to take the forms of imperial decrees. Many Taoist talismans read as if by a high-rank official commanding the evil spirits and bogies with inscriptions such as "let it be executed as fast as Lü Ling", "quickly, quickly, this is an order", and " respect this command".Sportstune.com - Magic Spell combined with Eight Trigram - Section 6.1: Round shape by John Ferguson. Retrieved: 26 July 2018. Taoist talismans can contain either square holes or round ones. Many Taoist amulets and charms contain images of Liu Haichan, Zhenwu, the Bagua, yin-yang symbols, constellations, Laozi, swords, bats, and immortals.South China Morning Post – Hong Kong's Taoist funerals: the superstition, symbolism and how to stop your soul being dragged into the coffin. From swordplay to sweet treats, few Chinese funeral traditions are as involved as a Taoist ceremony. We find out how to ward off evil entities and guarantee a peaceful afterlife for the deceased by Heidi Ng. UPDATED : Wednesday, 19 July 2017, 7:25PM. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.TAOISTSECRET.COM Taoist Talismans . Retrieved: 10 May 2018.Anything Anywhere - CHINA, amulets. Chinese culture is permeated, no, based on poetic allusion, hidden meanings, union of opposites, complex currents of energy and intention. In certain contexts these bases can express in rank superstition (present in all human cultures), and in others can lead to scientific advancement. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.University of Idaho - Gods and Goddesses of Religious Daoism. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.Chinese Mythology - A Blog on Chinese Mythology. Chinese God of Thunder - Lei Gong by Feng Shui Trader. Published: Monday, 23 November 2009. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.
A Taoist charm from either the Jin or Yuan dynasty without any written text shows what is commonly believed to be either a "boy under a pine tree" () or a "boy worshipping an immortal" (), but an alternative hypothesis is that this charm depicts a meeting between Laozi and Zhang Daoling. This is based on the fact that the figure supposedly representing Zhang Daoling is carrying a cane which in Mandarin Chinese is a homophone for "Zhang". On the reverse side of the charm are the twelve Chinese zodiacs, each in a circle surrounded by what is referred to as "auspicious clouds" which number eight.
Coin-swords
Coin-swords (alternatively spelt as coin swords), alternatively known as cash-swords, are a type of Chinese numismatic charms that are a form of feng shui talisman that were primarily used in southern China to ward off evil spirits and malicious influences, especially those inducing fever. These coin-swords are also often used in Taoist rituals. In Mandarin Chinese, coin-sword are called bì xié jiàn () which literally translates into English to "evil-warding sword".
Coin-swords usually consist of Qing dynasty era cash coins, specifically from the Kangxi and Qianlong eras, but may also be made from older cash coins.
Chinese coin-swords generally consist of either one or two iron rods as a foundation with real or replica Chinese cash coins fastened together with a string, a cord, or a wire which are usually coloured red. While the thread is usually red, it may sometimes also be yellow or gold as these are considered to be the colours of royalty.
A typical Chinese coin-sword is about 0.6 meter, or about 2 feet in the imperial system of units, long and consists of around one hundred copper-alloy Chinese cash coins. In superstition it is usually considered better for all the Chinese cash coins strung together in the coin-sword to have been produced during the reign of only a single Chinese emperor, and may not be mixed with cash coins from other dynasties. Ancient Chinese cash coins are also generally preferred over more modern ones. Coin-swords are constructed out of three different kinds of things, each of which is regarded as a preventive of evil spirits in feng shui.
A popular way sword symbolism in integrated in Chinese numismatic talismans is by stringing actual or replicas of cash coins into a sword-shape. In feng shui, these coin-swords are often hung to frighten away demons and evil spirits. Coin-swords are frequently hung above the bed, on residential walls, on the front and the outside of the bridal bed-curtain, or above the windows of a building. It is believed that evil spirits would not dare molest the residents of the house where the coin-sword hangs because the sword resembles that wielded by the Taoist immortal Zhong Kui, who in Chinese mythology is famous for being a slayer of evil demons. Most Chinese coin-swords consist of Qianlong Tongbao () cash coins.
The supposed powers of coin-swords do not come from the associated wealth symbolism that usually comes with cash coins. But with the design form of the cash coins used to make the sword, as well as the dynastic origins of the cash coins that carry the Emperor's reign era title. As such, in feng shui the supposed power of the coin-swords will depend heavily on which Chinese emperor's inscription is written down on the cash coins.
About the time of a woman's confinement after her marriage, a coin-sword is sometimes taken to be hung inside of the bridal bed-curtain, usually in a position that is parallel to the horizon.
Coin-swords made from Qing dynasty cash coins with the inscription are considered to be the most effective. This is because the reign of the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty lasted an entire 60-year cycle of the Chinese calendar and thus according to feng shui cash coins with this inscription represent "longevity". These cash coins are furthermore preferred because the name "Kangxi" means "good health" and "prosperity".
Eight Treasures charms
Chinese Eight Treasures charms () depict the Eight Treasures, also known as the "Eight Precious Things" and the "Eight Auspicious Treasures",Edgar J.Mandel. Trial listing. Korean talismans. 1968.Li Zuding. Chinese Traditional Auspicious patterns. Shanghai 1994.Sportstune (Chinese charms) Chinese charms, sections 1-2. Retrieved: 2 May 2018. and refer to a subset of a large group of items from antiquity known as the "Hundred Antiques" () which consists of objects utilised in the writing of Chinese calligraphy such as painting brushes, ink, writing paper and ink slabs, as well as other antiques such as Chinese chess, paintings, musical instruments and various others. Those most commonly depicted on older charms are the ceremonial ruyi (sceptre), coral, lozenge, rhinoceros horns, sycees, stone chimes, and flaming pearl. Eight Treasures charms can alternatively display the eight precious organs of the Buddha's body, the eight auspicious signs, various emblems of the eight Immortals from Taoism, or eight normal Chinese character. They often have thematic inscriptions.The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine: A New Translation of the Neijing Suwen with Commentary by Maoshing Ni.
Fu inscriptions on Taoist talismanic coins
Fu script was also used on Taoist coin talismans (many of which resemble cash coins), many of these talismans have not been deciphered yet but a specimen where Fu was used next to what is believed to be their equivalent Chinese characters exists.Anything Anywhere - CHINA, amulets. Chinese culture is permeated, no, based on poetic allusion, hidden meanings, union of opposites, complex currents of energy and intention. In certain contexts these bases can express in rank superstition (present in all human cultures), and in others can lead to scientific advancement. Retrieved: 10 May 2018. On rare occasions Taoist Fu writing has also been found on Buddhist numismatic charms and amulets. Most of these coin talismans that feature Fu writings request Lei Gong to protect its carriers from evil spirits and misfortune. Fulu characters are usually included at the beginning and the end of the inscription of a Taoist coin charm.
Lei Ting curse charms
Lei Ting curse charms (), or Lôi Đình curse charms, are a type of Chinese and Vietnamese numismatic charms,Chinese Coinage Website (Charm.ru) – List of illustrations wanted for F.A. Turk’s - INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE COIN-LIKE CHARMS by Scott Semans, Vladimir Belyaev, and Steve Young. Retrieved: 02 August 2018. these charms can be described as a talismanic coin as they are often based on Chinese cash coins but can also have round holes instead of square ones and may also be shaped like gourd charms.
Lei Ting curse charms contain inscriptions that request the Taoist God of Thunder Leigong to expel evil spirits and maleficent bogies through a magical spell incantation which usually calls upon Leigong by claiming that the inscription is in fact an order from Laozi himself. In some cases these coin charms request that Leigong should act "with the speed of Lü Ling", a famous sprinter from the 10th century BCE around the time Mu Wang of the Zhou dynasty reigned over China.Hartill, David (September 22, 2005). Cast Chinese Coins. Trafford, United Kingdom: Trafford Publishing. .