What is the Five Crowns 五冠

What is the Five Crowns 五冠

Paul Peng
The Five Crowns refer to five types of headwear worn by Taoist priests, mostly made of wood, and in recent times, some are made of plastic. According to their different uses, they can be divided into five types: the Yellow Crown, the Five Sacred Mountains Crown, the Star Crown, the Lotus Crown, and the Five Elders Crown.


  • Yellow Crown: Also known as the "Crescent Crown" or "Crescent Moon Crown", commonly called "Guanzi". It is crescent-shaped, with two opposite holes on the lower edge through which a wooden hairpin is inserted to fasten it to the hair bun. This is a Taoist crown commonly used by Quanzhen sect priests, which can be worn after the crown and scarf initiation ceremony.
  • Five Sacred Mountains Crown: Also known as the "Crown of the True Form of the Five Sacred Mountains" or "Crown of the Spiritual Diagram of the Five Sacred Mountains". It is in the shape of an inverted bucket, carved with the true form diagrams of the Five Sacred Mountains. Only Taoist priests who have received the Three Altar Precepts are allowed to wear it.
  • Star Crown: Also known as the "Five Dipper Crown". It is in the shape of an inverted bucket, carved with patterns of the Dipper constellations of the five directions (east, west, south, north, and center). Taoist priests wear this crown when worshipping the Dipper.
  • Lotus Crown: Also known as the "Supreme Purity Crown". It is shaped like a lotus, with a painted top inserted with an ruyi head. During Taoist rituals, the high priest wears this crown.
  • Five Elders Crown: A crown worn around the head. It has no top and is in the shape of lotus petals, with five lotus petals painted with images of the Five Elders of the five directions. Two long sword-headed ribbons hang down from both sides, inscribed with images of deities or the words "Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun" (Taiyi, the Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Suffering). Generally, the high priest wears this crown during rituals of distributing alms to the hungry.

It should be noted that the above types of Taoist crowns can only be worn when participating in religious activities; they must be removed on other informal occasions.
108 Articles

Part of the Series

This article is part of our comprehensive guide covering all core Taoist philosophies, concepts, and practices — curated from the classic Encyclopedia of Taoism.

View Full Guide → ✦ Explore All Topics

More in This Series

Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

About the Author

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.

Read his full story →
Back to blog
PREVIOUS ARTICLE
The Grand Penitential Liturgy of the Jade Repository

The Grand Penitential Liturgy of the Jade Repository 太上灵宝玉匮明真大斋忏方仪

Read More ←
No Next Article

Leave a comment

Beginner's Package

View all

Taoist Talismans

View all

Collections

View all
1 4
View all

Popular Items

Year 2026 FAN TAISUI Talisman Personal Protection TAISUI FU 太岁符

Year 2026 FAN TAISUI Talisman Personal Protection TA...

 The Mountain Ghost Thunder Lord Blessing Coin Pendant

The Mountain Ghost Thunder Lord Blessing Coin Pendant

 Consecrated Taoist I Ching Bagua Guardian Bracelet 已开光道教易经八卦护佑手串

Consecrated Taoist I Ching Bagua Guardian Bracelet 已...

 Consecrated Lightning Jujube Wood Gourd for Fortune & Harmony 玉化雷击枣木平安护身符已开光

Consecrated Lightning Jujube Wood Gourd for Fortune ...

Hot Articles

What is The Taoism? What is the Tao in Taoism? About the Dao De Jing What is taoist feng shui? What is Taoist inner alchemy? What is offending taisui or fan taisui?

Latest Articles

Zong Miao: Sovereign Ancestral Temple in Ancient China 宗庙 Zong Ci: Chinese Ancestral Hall Sacrificial Tradition 宗祠 Zong Fang: Ancient Ancestral Temple Gate Sacrifice 宗枫 Jiao Si: Imperial Suburban Sacrifice in Ancient China 郊祀