When a household experienced unrest or misfortune, ancient people would rely on a series of protective charms and religious guardian deities to ward off evil spirits and protect their homes. Home protection methods became an important part of everyday life.
Stone was one of the most commonly used protective charms in these practices.
Ancient people regarded stones as powerful protective charms to ward off evil spirits and safeguard homes. These stones were often buried to serve this purpose, with different types categorized by color, such as red, yellow, black, green, and white stones.
Substances like realgar, magnetite, and mercury, which belong to the realm of medicine, were also commonly used by shamans and healers for protection and exorcism.
Mercury was believed to have life-extending properties in ancient times and was often used alongside realgar in home protection rituals.
Realgar, with its yellow hue, cinnabar (red), malachite (green), and quartz varieties in white and black, correspond to the five elements and five directions in Chinese cosmology. These five colors embody the ancient concept of the five elements and directions.
Additionally, coins held a supernatural significance in the minds of ancient people.
Burying specific types of soil at locations with negative energy can have a suppressive effect.
This soil can also be applied to areas where protection is needed, achieving the same effect.
Charcoal, as a protective charm, appeared early in Chinese exorcism practices.
Iron has the ability to counteract the decline of earth energy, while coins were believed to possess supernatural power in the minds of ancient people.
Even crops were used for home protection.
In home protection practices, many crops were also used as protective charms. For instance, crops like soybeans and glutinous rice were believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits. Silk fabrics, particularly those in five colors, were also used as protective charms. Animal products, such as ox and sheep bones, were popular protective items in ancient times. The use of animal products to ward off evil and attract good fortune was quite common, with practices like hanging a sheep's head in January to ward off thieves or burying sheep hooves at the four corners of a house to bring wealth.
Home Protection Talisman
In ancient times, it was believed that talismans possessed the power to repel malevolent spirits and were considered sacred objects for protecting homes. Examples include the Five Mountains Home Protection Talisman, Earth Protector Talisman, and Home Rescue Talisman.
Before writing these talismans, Daoist priests would purify themselves, their mouths, and their altars. They would then prepare the paper and pen used for the talismans, set up an altar (or a main altar), and recite prayers to specify which deity they were invoking and what they were requesting.
When using home protection talismans and deities, specific mantras are employed alongside them. Daoist priests use these talismans and mantras to communicate with the deities, aiming to fulfill their wishes and seek blessings or avert disasters.