The Great Encyclopedia of Taoism

Jing 旌 — Taoist feather banner carried before the high priest in a grand jiao procession

Jing (旌): The Feather Banner That Opens the Way...

Paul Peng

Jing (旌) is the feather banner carried before the high priest in grand Taoist jiao rites. Its pheasant plumes signal ritual rank — but the rules governing its use vary...

Jing (旌): The Feather Banner That Opens the Way...

Paul Peng

Jing (旌) is the feather banner carried before the high priest in grand Taoist jiao rites. Its pheasant plumes signal ritual rank — but the rules governing its use vary...

筛 Shai — Taoist ritual sieve used to purify grain offerings before jiao ceremony

Shai (筛): The Ritual Sieve in Taoist Practice

Paul Peng

The Shai (筛) sifts the rice before the altar receives it — but the act is not preparation in the ordinary sense. What the sieve separates, and why that separation...

Shai (筛): The Ritual Sieve in Taoist Practice

Paul Peng

The Shai (筛) sifts the rice before the altar receives it — but the act is not preparation in the ordinary sense. What the sieve separates, and why that separation...

流金火鈴 Golden Fire Bell — Taoist exorcism bell used in jiao purification ceremony

Golden Fire Bell: Taoist Exorcism Bell of Flowi...

Paul Peng

The Golden Fire Bell (流金火鈴) rings through the ten directions — but the number of strikes, the phase of the ceremony, and the priest's lineage all determine whether the sound...

Golden Fire Bell: Taoist Exorcism Bell of Flowi...

Paul Peng

The Golden Fire Bell (流金火鈴) rings through the ten directions — but the number of strikes, the phase of the ceremony, and the priest's lineage all determine whether the sound...

Fa Jian 法剑 — consecrated Taoist ritual sword used in exorcism and jiao ceremonies

Fa Jian (法剑): The Ritual Sword in Taoist Practice

Paul Peng

Fa Jian (法剑) is the consecrated ritual sword of Taoist ceremony — but its power depends on lineage, consecration, and the exact moment it is drawn. Most accounts miss what...

Fa Jian (法剑): The Ritual Sword in Taoist Practice

Paul Peng

Fa Jian (法剑) is the consecrated ritual sword of Taoist ceremony — but its power depends on lineage, consecration, and the exact moment it is drawn. Most accounts miss what...

笏 Hu — Taoist ritual tablet held before the chest during formal celestial address

Hu (笏): The Ritual Tablet in Taoist and Court C...

Paul Peng

Hu (笏) is the ritual tablet held before the chest when addressing celestial authorities — but its court origins raise a question the Taoist tradition has never fully settled.

Hu (笏): The Ritual Tablet in Taoist and Court C...

Paul Peng

Hu (笏) is the ritual tablet held before the chest when addressing celestial authorities — but its court origins raise a question the Taoist tradition has never fully settled.

香炉 Xiang Lu — Taoist incense burner at the center of a Zhengyi jiao altar

Xiang Lu (香炉): The Incense Burner in Taoist Lit...

Paul Peng

Xiang Lu (香炉) is the altar's mouth in Zhengyi liturgy — but the moment it is activated and the way it is closed determine whether the rite reaches heaven at...

Xiang Lu (香炉): The Incense Burner in Taoist Lit...

Paul Peng

Xiang Lu (香炉) is the altar's mouth in Zhengyi liturgy — but the moment it is activated and the way it is closed determine whether the rite reaches heaven at...