Taoist Ritual Implements and Their Functions Introduction

Taoist Ritual Implements and Their Functions Introduction

Taoist ritual vessels, also known as Taoist magical implements, refer to various utensils used in Taoist rituals. The following are some common Taoist ritual vessels and their introductions to functions:

1. Tablet:
Also known as the court tablet, court board, etc. It is a hand tablet held when worshiping the immortals, on which things can be recorded to avoid forgetting. In ancient times, the tablet for worshiping the Son of Heaven had certain regulations. The Son of Heaven used jade, the vassal states used ivory, and the doctors and scholars used bamboo pieces. Taoism is not limited by this, and can be used according to conditions. When holding a Taoist altar, the high-ranking Taoist priest mounts the altar and holds the tablet with both hands, as if facing the Heavenly Court.

Generally made of jade, wood, or bone. The shape is slightly curved like the character "heart", with three points: the two ends at the beginning and end are in the shape of a cloud or a ganoderma, and the middle point is round. It symbolizes the meaning of the Tao transforming into the Three Pure Ones, and also implies respecting the Three Treasures with one heart, namely the Tao Treasure, the Sutra treasure, and the Teacher treasure. The Taoist abbot also holds it when preaching scriptures or in other solemn rituals.

3. Magic seal:
Generally made of wood, copper, or jade. There are characters with Taoist meanings engraved on the seal surface, and some even have completely symbolized patterns engraved. The seal knob is generally a lion or other evil-averting beast. Since the ancestral Celestial Master Zhang Daoling of Taoism began to pass on the magic seal, it has been passed down to this day. The magic seal is the official seal for Taoism to report to the Heavenly Court, and it is also a magical object to exercise divine power. "Dongxuan Jing": "Where the magic seal shines, the evil spirits perish."

4. Magic sword:
Also known as the precious sword, the commanding sword, the Seven-star sword, and the master's sword. On both sides of the blade forged from steel, there are bronze Seven-star patterns engraved on each side, and near the hilt there are patterns of dragons, tigers, or talismans. The precious sword is a powerful magical implement for slaying demons and evil spirits. The family heirloom of Celestial Master Zhang is the precious sword and the Celestial Master seal. Usually, the Seven-star sword with a thin blade is used by holding two together, and sometimes it can also be held in both hands, also known as a double sword or a combined sword. There is also a wooden sword engraved with talismans on the blade, mostly made of peach wood that can be used to ward off evil spirits, also known as the peach wood sword.

It is a flag for the high-ranking Taoist priest to issue orders on the altar, generally five. The flag is triangular, one side of the flag is yellow with a toothed red border, and there is a yellow and red border streamer on it. The flagpole is generally made of rattan. The main command flag with the words "Imperially Summoning All Gods" written on the flag, and there are four auxiliary command flags.