The author of Records of Divine Talismans from the Three Grottoes (Sandong Shenfu Ji) is unknown.
Judging from its content and linguistic style, it seems to have been composed during the Tang Dynasty.
Consisting of one volume, it is included in the "Divine Talismans" category under the "Grotto of Truth" (Dongzhen) section of the Daozang (Taoist Canon). This work is a Taoist dictionary, primarily explaining terms related to "heavenly books" and "divine talismans" (core concepts in Taoist esoteric practice).
The author quotes passages from texts such as Daomen Dalun (Great Discourse on the Taoist School), Sandong Zhunang (Pearl Satchel of the Three Grottoes), and various "Three Grottoes" classics from the Six Dynasties, Sui, and Tang dynasties. It separately explains terms including:
- Sanyuan (Three Origins), Bahui (Eight Combinations), Yunzhuan (Cloud Seals, a style of mystical Taoist writing), Bati (Eight Script Forms), Liushu (Six Writing Systems), Liuwen (Six Types of Script), Fuzi (Talisman Characters);
- Baxian (Eight Manifestations), Yuzu Jue (Essentials of Jade Characters), Huangwen Di Shu (Imperial Script of the August Emperor), Tianshu (Heavenly Books), Longzhang (Dragon-Inscribed Texts), Fengwen (Phoenix-Patterned Scripts), Yudie Jinshu (Jade Plates and Golden Books);
- Shizi (Stone Inscriptions), Tisu (Inscriptions on Silk), Yuzu (Jade Characters), Yupian (Jade Chapters), Yuzha (Jade Slips), Danshu Mozhuan (Cinnabar Texts and Ink Seals), Yuce (Jade Decrees);
- Fulian Zhi Shu (Books of Blessed Continuity), Langqiu Qiongwen (Qiong Jade Texts of the Jade Dragon), Baiyin Zhi Bian (Silver Scrolls), Chishu (Red Texts), Huolian Zhenwen (Fire-Refined True Scripts), Jinh Hu Mo Zhi Zi (Characters in Ink from Golden Vessels);
- Qiongzha (Jade-like Slips), Zizi (Purple Characters), Ziran Zhi Zi (Naturally Formed Characters), Sihui Chengzi (Characters Formed by Four Combinations), Langjian (Jade Bamboo Slips), Lishu (a specific ancient script), Shishuo (Stone Inscriptions), etc.
In addition to term explanations, the work also describes methods for drafting talismans. It further excerpts Taishang Fulu Wupian (The Supreme Five Chapters of Diffused Talismans)—i.e., five chapters of "heavenly book cloud seals"—which were used in Taoist rituals to stabilize divine powers and protect life.
With its extensive citations, the entire work serves as a valuable reference for researchers in Taoist studies.
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