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(), is a term for Taoist incantations and magic symbols, written or painted as talisman or () by Taoist practitioners.

These practitioners are also called () or the sect, an informal group made up of priests from different schools of Taoism. These charms and amulets are also not confined strictly to Taoism as they have been incorporated in to certain forms of Chinese Buddhism, and have descendants such as the of Japanese Buddhism and Shinto.

Etymology

* (), or () are instructions to deities and spirits, symbols for exorcism, and medicinal potion recipes or charms to assist with ailments.

* () is a register of the membership of the priests, as well as the skills they are trained in.

Other names for in English include Taoist magic writing, magic script characters, magic figures, magic formulas, secret talismanic writing, and talismanic characters.

General design

Fu symbols tend to have irregular strokes that resemble Traditional Chinese characters, often elongating existing words while incorporating non- symbols. Taoist priests are the main experts of this eclectic writing-and-symbol system, and the characters can differ from sect to sect. The method of writing down these characters is generally passed down in secret from a Taoist priest to their disciples and treated as a special skillset with which to communicate to local deities and spirits.

Some magic script characters appear to have been formed by stacking one Traditional Chinese character atop of another character and compounding them into one. Fu styles vary from sect to sect and each sect has different incantations and mudras used to create Fu. Even the invocations for a single deity will vary between sects. This specific technique of linking or combining different Chinese characters was not used exclusively by the Taoists, however. Fu characters also appear on other types of Chinese charms such as Buddhist coin charms and woodblock print charms.

Healthcare

Talismans have for centuries been used in China as a healing method alongside medicinal drugs, meditation, acupuncture, astrology and massage. Known as () in medical writings, talismans enjoyed official support between the Sui and the late Ming dynasties – before the imperial court recognised acupuncture as a medicinal discipline (''ke'' 科) in the 6th century CE.

Whilst rejected by Traditional Chinese Medicine, continues to be widely used amongst Chinese folk healers today. Following the popularisation of psychology in early-twentieth century China, began to be interpreted as the Chinese version of Western hypnosis.

Taoist scripture

One of the earliest classical scripture referring to was the ''Huangdi Yinfujing'' (), although it does not contain specific instructions to write any talisman.

The second chapter of each of the three grottoes in the ''Taoist Canon'' is a record of the history and feats of the sect, where it is described that the origin of script is from the condensation of clouds in the sky.

On talismanic coins

Fu script was also used on Taoist coin talismans (many of which resemble cash coins). Many of these talismans haven't 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 writing has also been found on Buddhist numismatic charms and amulets. Most of these coin talismans that feature writings request Lei Gong to protect its carriers from evil spirits and misfortune.

characters are usually included at the beginning and the end of the inscription of a Taoist coin charm.

See also

References

Amulets
Talismans
Taoist practices
Chinese culture
Exorcism
Chinese words and phrases
Incantation
Eastern esotericism

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