The art of talisman is derived from witchcraft. "The Book of the Later Han Dynasty" records: Qu Shengqing "is good at writing alchemy talismans." "The Book of the Later Han Dynasty·Fang Shu Biography" records that Fei Changfang learned Taoism from the medicine seller Hu Gong, who "made a talisman...and was able to heal." "Fu Zi" in Volume 7 of "Yun Ji Qi Zhu" says: "With the essence of Tao, the simple ink can be used to understand the essence of things." Some Taoist priests and Qi refiners use luck when writing talismans. On the other hand, using it to treat diseases may produce certain curative effects. The book of Taoism says: "The talisman has no formal shape, it is spirited by Qi."
The talisman technique is the main cultivation method of Taoism. During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, the three talisman sects (the so-called "Three Mountain Talismans") were the Qing Sect of Maoshan Mountain, the Lingbao Sect of Gezao Mountain, and the Tianshi Tao of Longhu Mountain.
The procedure and drawing method of talismans
talisman is a secret magic weapon that communicates between people and gods, so it cannot be drawn casually. Therefore, there is a saying that "if you don't know how to draw talismans, you will make ghosts and gods laugh." "If you know how to draw a talisman, the ghosts and gods will scream." There are hundreds of ways to draw talisman, some require making secrets, remembering the gods and writing them down, some require walking and fighting, reciting incantations... They are very particular about laying out paper, studying ink, and using the brush. The procedures are The complexity and cumbersome methods are enough to make the faithful men and women dizzy.
1. Procedure of the Talisman Drawing Ceremony There is a certain procedure for drawing the talisman, and it must not be simplified or reversed. Generally speaking, when drawing talismans, an altar must be set up to perform sacrifices (especially for Taoist priests), which is the so-called "general altar style". The general talismans in the general altar style are written with the gods that Taoist priests usually believe in - Land, City God, Eastern Qing Emperor, Southern Red Emperor, Western White Emperor, Northern Black Emperor, Suzaku General, Xuanwu General, Black Kill General, etc. For example, the total talisman in the general altar-style diagram set up by ancient Dunhuang Taoist priests when they drew talismans. The Taoist priests also need to build an altar and two seals of the Emperor of Heaven. These two seals are carved on the altar, both front and back. There are also those that do not have a "general altar style" or an altar, such as "Invite the Immortal Ji Method" and so on. When inviting the fairy basket, use three plates of fruits, three cups of tea and three cups of wine and place them on the shrine in the main hall...or place them temporarily on a certain location outside the house, which is equivalent to the dining table. Before drawing the talisman, you must first purify your mind—concentrate, be sincere, eliminate distracting thoughts, and focus your thoughts. You must also purify your body, face, hands, and mouth. You must also prepare fruits, rice wine, incense, candles and other sacrifices, as well as pen and ink, Cinnabar, yellow paper, etc. For these items, Taoist priests first use divine incantations to give them divine power). (1) Curse of the pen: The five thunder gods will be gathered in the house to burn the light of warner, and the body will be saved, and the upper body will be bound to ghosts, subjugate evil, all life and death will be destroyed, and my immortality will be as urgent as the law. (2) Water spell: This water is not extraordinary water. A little water of Rengui in the north is in the inkstone. It clouds and rains for a moment until the sick person swallows it and all diseases are eliminated. The evil ghost swallows it as if it is broken into pieces. It is as urgent as a law or order. 4. Time taboos for drawing talisman. The Dragon Boat Festival is an auspicious day for drawing talisman and making talisman water. Drawing talisman and making talisman are mostly held on this day. This is especially true for drawing Dragon Boat Festival ghost-repelling charms. There are four days in a year when you are not allowed to draw talismans. If you draw talismans during these four days, it will not only be ineffective, but also harmful. These four days are the ninth day of March, the second day of June, the sixth day of September, and the second day of December in the lunar calendar. It is best to choose Zi hour or Hai hour for drawing symbols. It is said that this is the time when yang disappears and yin grows, and yin and yang meet. The spiritual energy is the heaviest. It can also be followed by Wu, Mao, and You.