Yin & Yang
阴阳
Two complementary forces, each holding the seed of the other. The taiji diagram is the most common wish for balance in the home and in the self.
See piecesA field guide · 道藏小识
Symbols, seals & guardians
A short guide to the diagrams, scripts, deities and materials you will meet on Taoist jewelry and ritual objects — what they are, where they come from, and what they have traditionally meant.
符号
Symbols of order
The diagrams every Taoist carving is built from.
The Eight Trigrams
八卦
Eight figures of broken and unbroken lines that describe heaven, earth, thunder, wind, water, fire, mountain and lake. Bagua mirrors and plaques are placed to bring balance and turn harmful influences away.
See piecesThe Five Phases
五行
Wood, fire, earth, metal and water — the cycle by which all things arise and give way, behind colours, seasons, organs and the zodiac.
See piecesHetu & Luoshu
河图洛书
The Yellow River Map and the Luo River Writing, legendary diagrams said to have emerged from the rivers on the backs of a dragon-horse and a tortoise; from them came the trigrams and the magic square of feng shui.
See piecesThe Northern Dipper
北斗
Seven stars that turn around the pole. In Taoist belief the Northern Dipper governs fate and the Southern Dipper governs life, and both are honoured for long life.
See pieces符箓
Seals, scripts & incantations
The written forms through which a priest speaks to heaven.
The Ziwei Seal
紫微讳
The secret seal-name of Ziwei, the Purple Star Emperor at the celestial pole. It is one of the most widely carved protective seals, often paired with the Bagua or the Wenchang seal.
See piecesThe Nine-Character Mantra
九字真言
“临兵斗者皆阵列前行” — nine characters recorded by Ge Hong in the Baopuzi in the 4th century, recited and carved as a shield against harm.
See piecesThe Five Thunders
五雷
The thunder rites invoke thunder as heaven’s ordering force. Five Thunders command plaques are among the most important ritual tools of a Taoist priest.
See piecesThe Golden Light Mantra
金光咒
One of the eight great Taoist incantations, said to wrap the body in protective golden light.
See piecesTrue Forms of the Five Peaks
五岳真形图
The five sacred mountains drawn as talismanic forms. Since the Han dynasty the chart has been carried on journeys and hung at home for protection.
See piecesThe Fu Talisman
符
A talisman written in sacred script with cinnabar — a request, sealed and addressed to the heavens, for blessing or protection.
See pieces神祇
Guardians & gods
The figures who stand behind the symbols.
Zhenwu, the Perfected Warrior
真武大帝
Lord of the North and of Wudang Shan, shown barefoot with sword, tortoise and snake. Zhenwu is the great protector of the Taoist pantheon.
See piecesZhao Gongming
赵公明
The martial God of Wealth, riding a black tiger with a golden whip. His seal and image are kept to invite fortune and fair dealing.
See piecesWenchang
文昌帝君
Patron of literature and examinations, honoured by students for clear thought and success in study.
See piecesZhong Kui
钟馗
The Demon Queller, a scholar who became the scourge of evil spirits. His fierce image is hung by the door.
See piecesGuan Yu
关圣帝君
Lord Guan, embodiment of loyalty and courage, honoured both as a protector and as a martial god of wealth.
See piecesWang Lingguan
王灵官
The red-faced guardian with three eyes and a golden whip who stands at the gate of every Taoist temple.
See piecesThe Thirty-Six Marshals
三十六帅
Heavenly generals summoned in ritual to guard the altar and carry out the priest’s commands.
See piecesTianguan, the Official of Heaven
天官赐福
One of the Three Officials, shown granting blessings — the classic wish for good fortune in the year ahead.
See pieces材质
Materials of power
What the pieces are made from, and why.
Lightning-struck jujube wood
雷击枣木
Wood from a jujube tree struck by lightning, prized above all others for ritual objects because the strike is associated with thunder’s power to restore order. It is dense, dark and heavy, and is carved into command plaques, seals and charms.
See piecesPeach wood
桃木
Since antiquity peach wood has been carved into swords and charms to keep harm away; peach is also the fruit of immortality.
See piecesCinnabar
朱砂
The red mineral with which talismans are traditionally written; its colour stands for yang, life and authority.
See piecesSilver-wire inlay
银丝镶嵌
Fine metal wire set into a carved surface to draw script and motifs — a traditional decorative technique.
See piecesLetters · 山中来信
Letters from Daojing
A few letters a month: new pieces as they arrive, the story behind a symbol, and the festival days of the Taoist calendar — no noise.
