User:Donald Trung/Sword symbolism and Chinese numismatic charms and amulets

Chinese charms and amulets with sword symbolism


Swords are a common theme on Chinese numismatic charms and amulets, and there are even a lot of Chinese talismans shaped like swords made from coins, the usage of swords in Chinese numismatic charms has a long history. Most Chinese numismatic charms and amulets that feature swords often only show a single swords, while those that display two swords are reasonably uncommon. According to Chinese legends the first swords in Chinese history appeared under the reign of the legendary Yellow Emperor, the Yellow Emperor fought with a tribal chief named Chi You (蚩尤) who was described by ancient Chinese legends as having a copper bull-shaped head with an iron forehead. Chi You was also skilled in the art of blacksmithing and myths credit him for the invention of dagger-axes, halberds, lances, long spears, tribal spears, and swords. During the Spring and Autumn Period the notion that swords could not only be used against human enemies but also against evil spirits and demons came to being. Under the Liu Song dynasty swords started becoming a common instrument in religious rituals, most particularly in Taoist rituals, this was deemed so important that is became a must for those who studied Taoism to be able to forge swords which had the capability to dispel demonic entities according to the Taoist "Daoist Rituals of the Mystery Cavern and Numinous Treasure" (洞玄靈寶道學科儀). Many Taoist sects around this time were created that were focused on swords believing that swords could not only defeat demons but contained medical properties. Under the Sui and Tang dynasties ritualistic swords constructed of peach wood started to appear. Around this time Chinese amulets which used swords based on the aforementioned legends started being produced, often these amulets resembled Chinese cash coins but had crossed swords decorated with ribbons or fillets on them, as the ancient Chinese believed that these items enhanced the powers of the item they were tied to. Chinese swords commonly are engraved with imagery representing the Big Dipper and this also became common for Chinese amulets that featured swords. In symbolism where swords are combined with the Big Dipper ribbons are used less frequently due to the believe that swords could draw their magical properties from this constellation which had unlimited power.

The image of two swords on Chinese amulets stems from a legend where Taoist leader Zhang Daoling saw Laozi appear to him on a mountain in present-day Sichuan and gave him two swords. Alternatively two swords can also represent two dragons which come from a legend where a man named Lei Huan (雷煥) received two swords in the city Fengcheng (豐城). He kept one sword himself while he gave the other sword to his son Lei Hua (雷華). On a day Lei Hua carried his sword while crossing the Yanping Ford (延平津), his sword suddenly dropped out of its scabbard and then fell into the river below and sank. Lei Hua ordered one of his servants to retrieve his sword by swimming into the river and diving to fetch it, under the water the servant tasked with finding the sword only witnessed 2 coiled and entwined Chinese dragons.

Another popular way swords are integrated in Chinese numismatic charms and amulets is by stringing Chinese cash coins or imitations of cash coins into a sword-shape, in Feng shui these coin-swords are often hung above windows or on the side of walls because it is believed that demons and evil spirits would be frightened away by these objects because these swords resemble the sword of Zhong Kui. Chinese charms and amulets depicting swordsman usually depict one of the Taoist immortals Zhong Kui or Lu Dongbin, these two individuals can often be recognised by their attire and other symbolism around them, however it isn't always clear which swordsman is depicted on these charms, swordsman further appear on zodiac charms, Bagua charms, elephant chess pieces, lock charms, and other categories of Chinese numismatic charms. Another person who appears on Chinese amulets is Zhenwu who is regarded as the perfect warrior.

A common inscription on a Chinese sword charm is The Chinese inscription is qū xié jiàng fú (驅邪降福, "Expel evil and send down good fortune (happiness)"), but most commonly these charms feature inscriptions or "imperial orders"/"edicts" (敕令, chì lìng) ordering for demons and evil spirits to be expelled. Sometimes rather than using images of real swords an image of a calamus is used due to the fact that the leaves of this plant resemble a sword.