There are many types of Taoist talismans, and different procedures and methods are required when drawing different talismans. Generally speaking, drawing a talisman usually involves setting up an altar and performing ritual ceremonies, which is called the "general altar ritual". Besides, there are also less complicated rituals that do not require setting up an altar, such as the "method of inviting immortals with a sieve", "Jimo method", "incense seal burning", "heavenly eye style", "sword energy style", etc.
Taoist traditional etiquette has strict procedures and methods for drawing talismans. Before drawing a talisman, one must first purify the mind, that is, be sincere and focused. Then, one needs to purify the body, face, hands, and rinse the mouth. In special cases, fruits, tea, wine, incense, and candles should also be prepared for the sacrifice. Taoists must recite divine incantations to empower the brush, ink, cinnabar, yellow paper, etc., used for drawing talismans, so that they possess great divine power.
In ancient times, before drawing a talisman, one had to burn incense, kowtow, and sincerely pray to the gods, expressing the matters to be prayed for. After the prayer, take out the brush, ink, paper, and cinnabar, sit upright with a proper posture, concentrate on gathering energy, and draw the talisman in one go without any interruption or pause. When drawing the talisman, one must not only blow breath into it but also silently recite incantations and formulas while drawing. In addition, the Taoist's mind and the hand not holding the brush must perform the corresponding visualization and hand seals required for drawing the talisman, such as the Sun Lord Seal, Moon Lord Seal, Tiangang Seal, Nanchen Seal, Big Dipper Seal, etc.
What Are the Sacred Steps?
The “Sacred Steps of Drawing Daoist Talismans” (道教画符的步骤) are seven ritualized stages that transform ordinary ink and paper into living vessels of celestial power. Each step aligns the calligrapher’s mind, breath and brush with the Three Realms, ensuring the talisman can summon deities, repel evil, heal illness or grant wishes.
The Seven Sacred Steps
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净身准备 (Jìng shēn zhǔnbèi) – Purification of body and mind.
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择吉时 (Zé jí shí) – Choosing auspicious cosmic timing.
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备圣材 (Bèi shèng cái) – Preparing sacred materials.
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请神降临 (Qǐng shén jiànglín) – Invoking divine presence.
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画符文 (Huà fú wén) – Drawing the symbols in one breath.
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开光加持 (Kāi guāng jiā chí) – Energetic activation.
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妥善保存 (Tuǒshàn bǎocún) – Respectful storage and usage.
Key Symbols Inside a Talisman
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符头 (Fútóu) – Three celestial hooks for the Three Pure Ones.
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符胆 (Fúdǎn) – The energetic core, such as 罡, 井, 马 or 化.
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符脚 (Fújiǎo) – Forked base that seals authority.
Sacred Materials
- Yellow rice paper – imperial earth element.
- Cinnabar ink – mercury sulfide, sun essence.
- Wolf-hair brush – precise spiritual conduit.
- Incense smoke – purifies the workspace.
Living With Your Talisman
- Carry close to the body (wallet, pendant).
- Place by bedside or office desk for daily interaction.
- Replace annually or when the edges fray.
- Burn respectfully when retiring; thank the spirits.
