The Chaoxue (court boots) 朝靴

The Chaoxue (court boots) 朝靴

Paul Peng
Chaoxue (court boots) are a type of shoes worn by high priests, preachers, and altar supervisors during large-scale Taoist fasting and sacrificial ceremonies. They have thick, hard white-painted soles, high black uppers that reach the calves.


Court boots have a long history. Notes on Chinese Ancient and Modern Things states: "Boots originated from ancient Western styles. In the past, King Wuling of Zhao often wore them; they had short legs made of yellow leather and were casual wear. Later, Ma Zhou redesigned them with longer legs, added felt and straps, allowing wearers to enter palace halls for reports and making riding more convenient. All civil and military officials then wore them."

The use of court boots in Taoist fasting rituals probably began after the Song and Yuan dynasties. The Ming Dynasty's Zhu Quan in The Supreme Jade Manual of the Heavenly Emperor's Ultimate Tao wrote: "The round-toed, wide-soled design was called boots in ancient times. Those who come from filthy places must not enter the hall wearing them. For they are used in the human world and are unsuitable in mountains."
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Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

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Paul Peng

Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.

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