The art of creating talismans involves translating Daoist techniques into intricate drawings on paper, activated through incantations.
Talismans serve various purposes, from controlling spirits, and praying, to healing ailments.
The most auspicious time for crafting talismans is during the Zi hour, between 11 PM and 1 AM. This window, the transition between yin and yang, enhances the efficacy of the talisman. While drawing at other times is feasible, it lacks the same potency.
Yellow paper is often preferred for talismans, but red is also common.
Brushes made from wolf hair are ideal, with a preference for sharp-eared wolves for heightened spirituality. Other alternatives include crane feathers, eagle feathers, goat hair, chicken feathers, or even fox fur.
Drawing can be done using either cinnabar or black ink. Personally, I favor cinnabar.
In terms of color, cinnabar, according to the Eight Trigrams, corresponds to the Qian hexagram, representing pure yang energy. Using cinnabar in talismans taps into the essence of pure yang energy, capable of warding off evil. Mixing chicken blood with cinnabar is another method.
The yellow paper combined with red cinnabar symbolizes illumination, capable of dispelling darkness.
If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
The process of drawing a talisman follows the saying, "One stroke moves the heavens and earth, two strokes startle spirits, three strokes stabilize the world, and four strokes transcend sentient beings." Chen Yuanshan pointed to the completed talisman, brush, cinnabar, and yellow paper, offering an explanation, but I only half-understood.
"Drawing talismans appears simple but is, in fact, challenging," he continued. "The driving force behind talismanic magic is rooted in sincerity. When sincere, the heavens and earth respond, making the spell potent. During drawing, one's mind must be tranquil, and respect is required when dealing with divine beings."
"May I give it a try?" I asked, eyeing Chen Yuanshan's brushes, cinnabar, and yellow paper with curiosity.
"Of course, feel free to try," Chen Yuanshan replied, pushing the tools toward me.
I dipped the brush into the cinnabar, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. As my mind calmed, I observed Chen Yuanshan's finished talisman. Attempting to replicate it, I started drawing.
Midway through, an unusual sensation gripped my right hand, as if a heavy weight hung from the brush. It felt like a burdensome scale, making it difficult to continue. Despite my efforts, my trembling right hand forced me to abandon the brush, leaving me with a sweaty forehead.
"Why did the brush suddenly become heavy halfway through?" I asked Chen Yuanshan, pointing to the brush.
"Do you know the name and purpose of this talisman?" Chen Yuanshan pointed to the finished talisman, asking me.
I shook my head, indicating I had no idea.
"A talisman, or Lingfu, must embody spirituality. How can you successfully draw it if you don't know its name or purpose? Even seemingly simple tasks are not so straightforward. You must understand the essence of what you are creating," Chen Yuanshan explained with a smile.