Amuletsthe gallery← amulets.guru
China & Taiwan · c. 3500 BCE – today

Other & unsorted China

What it is

Objects from this tradition that do not fit the types above, or whose catalogue records are too brief to sort further. Browse them for unusual forms.

History

China has one of the oldest continuous amulet traditions, from Neolithic jade (Hongshan and Liangzhu, c. 3500–2300 BCE) to Han dynasty exorcism batons (gangmao) and cicada tongue-amulets for the dead. Daoism developed fu talismans, writing in a celestial script that commands spirits and is issued like official documents. From the Han period coin-shaped charms (yasheng qian, 'suppressing coins') carried auspicious words and spells. Much Chinese protective imagery works through puns: bat (fu) sounds like fortune, fish (yu) like abundance, gourd (hulu) like protection.

Making yours
Check the source record for materials and size before copying.
China & Taiwan: the tradition

China has one of the oldest continuous amulet traditions, from Neolithic jade (Hongshan and Liangzhu, c. 3500–2300 BCE) to Han dynasty exorcism batons (gangmao) and cicada tongue-amulets for the dead. Daoism developed fu talismans, writing in a celestial script that commands spirits and is issued like official documents. From the Han period coin-shaped charms (yasheng qian, 'suppressing coins') carried auspicious words and spells. Much Chinese protective imagery works through puns: bat (fu) sounds like fortune, fish (yu) like abundance, gourd (hulu) like protection.

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Bird-shaped UrnBird-shaped UrnNorthwest China, Neolithic period, Majiayao culture, Banshan phase (2650–2350 BCE) · 2650–2350 BCEMiniature Votive StupaMiniature Votive StupaChina, Gansu province, Northern Wei dynasty (386-534) · 435 CESakyamuni Preaching: A Votive SteleSakyamuni Preaching: A Votive SteleChina, Northern Dynasties period (386–581 CE), Northern Zhou (557-581) · c. 565 BCEAdoring MonkAdoring MonkChina, Northern Wei dynasty (386-534) · early 500sBodhisattva GuanyinBodhisattva GuanyinChina, Sui dynasty (581-618) · 581–618Seated BuddhaSeated BuddhaChina, Tang dynasty (618-907) · 600sLohan (Arhat) Holding a PeachLohan (Arhat) Holding a PeachChina, Jiangxi province, Jingdezhen kilns, Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Kangxi reign (1662–1722) · 1662–1722Buddhist Votive SteleBuddhist Votive SteleChina · Western Wei dynasty (A.D. 535–557), dated A.D. 551Gold amulet, China, early 20th centuryGold amulet, China, early 20th centuryChina · early 20th centuryRectangular snuffbox with cockerel and flowers on coverRectangular snuffbox with cockerel and flowers on coverParis · ca. 1819-1832Charm, engraved metal, Hong Kong, 1950-1988Charm, engraved metal, Hong Kong, 1950-1988Hong Kong · 1950-1988Cross-shaped amuletCross-shaped amuletChina · -600amulett med kedjaamulett med kedjaPeople's Republic of China · 1903China ancient Amuletes Horse right Rare the messenger of peace Z343 - NumisvloraChina ancient Amuletes Horse right Rare the messenger of peace Z343 - NumisvloraLikely Song Dynasty period (13th century).Amulet (cicade)Amulet (cicade)People's Republic of Chinaamulettask, amulet boxamulettask, amulet boxPeople's Republic of ChinaK-11000-163K-11000-163People's Republic of ChinaAmulet from People's Republic of ChinaAmulet from People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of China甲午 (11711782255)甲午 (11711782255)JapanPlate with Talismans for Duanwujie (Dragon Boat Festival)Plate with Talismans for Duanwujie (Dragon Boat Festival)China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong reign mark and period (1736–1795)Five charms, glass; China, Qing dynasty, 1644-1911Five charms, glass; China, Qing dynasty, 1644-1911China · 1644-1911Cross-shaped amuletCross-shaped amuletChina · -600Pa kur amulet from People's Republic of ChinaPa kur amulet from People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of China · 1906Daoguang Tongbao charm (replica), Oude Pekela (2020)Daoguang Tongbao charm (replica), Oude Pekela (2020)ash, amulet ashash, amulet ashPeople's Republic of ChinaK-11000-169K-11000-169People's Republic of ChinaAmulett-TascheAmulett-TaschePeople's Republic of ChinaDisc-shaped glass amulet, made in China, Ming dynastyDisc-shaped glass amulet, made in China, Ming dynastyChina · 1368 - 1644Cross-shaped amuletCross-shaped amuletChina · -600Have fun, eat, and drink - 乐无事、宜酒食花钱 (Zsbeike)Have fun, eat, and drink - 乐无事、宜酒食花钱 (Zsbeike)Before the 19th (nineteenth) century.gau, amulettaskgau, amulettaskPeople's Republic of ChinaK-11000-142K-11000-142People's Republic of ChinaAmulet from People's Republic of ChinaAmulet from People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaOpal glass hat charm in the form of a boy, made in China, Ming dynastyOpal glass hat charm in the form of a boy, made in China, Ming dynastyChina · 1368 - 1644Jiaqing Tongbao charm (replica), Oude Pekela (2020)Jiaqing Tongbao charm (replica), Oude Pekela (2020)amulettaskamulettaskPeople's Republic of ChinaK-11000-143K-11000-143People's Republic of ChinaWedding charm, coins threaded on red silk cord with tassel, Hong Kong, 1950-1990Wedding charm, coins threaded on red silk cord with tassel, Hong Kong, 1950-1990China · 1950-1990Kangxi Tongbao charm (replica), Oude Pekela (2020)Kangxi Tongbao charm (replica), Oude Pekela (2020)Amulet from People's Republic of ChinaAmulet from People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaK-11000-138K-11000-138People's Republic of ChinaWedding charm, coins threaded on red silk cord with tassel, Hong Kong, 1950-1990Wedding charm, coins threaded on red silk cord with tassel, Hong Kong, 1950-1990China · 1950-1990Knife charm - 5snake5Knife charm - 5snake5Amulet, Decoration, Season, AmuletAmulet, Decoration, Season, AmuletPeople's Republic of ChinaK-11000-140K-11000-140People's Republic of ChinaWedding charm, coins threaded on red silk cord with tassel, Hong Kong, 1950-1990Wedding charm, coins threaded on red silk cord with tassel, Hong Kong, 1950-1990China · 1950-1990Qianlong Tongbao charm (replica), Oude Pekela (2020)Qianlong Tongbao charm (replica), Oude Pekela (2020)Amulet from People's Republic of ChinaAmulet from People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaAmulet from People's Republic of ChinaAmulet from People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaWedding charm, coins threaded on red silk cord with tassel, Hong Kong, 1950-1990Wedding charm, coins threaded on red silk cord with tassel, Hong Kong, 1950-1990China · 1950-1990Shunzhi Tongbao charm (replica), Oude Pekela (2020)Shunzhi Tongbao charm (replica), Oude Pekela (2020)Amulet from People's Republic of ChinaAmulet from People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaAmulet from People's Republic of ChinaAmulet from People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaMet, China, RITUAL OBJECTS MISCMet, China, RITUAL OBJECTS MISCChinaTalismans in TaipingjingTalismans in TaipingjingMing dynasty(1368-1644) upload date 2014-05-22 00:30:17Mynt amulet from People's Republic of ChinaMynt amulet from People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaK-11000-137K-11000-137People's Republic of ChinaTongzhi Tongbao charm (replica), Oude Pekela (2020)Tongzhi Tongbao charm (replica), Oude Pekela (2020)mynt, amulettask, coinmynt, amulettask, coinPeople's Republic of ChinaAmulet from People's Republic of ChinaAmulet from People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of China

More from China & Taiwan: Coin charms (yasheng qian) · Longevity locks · Jade & hardstone amulets · Taoist fu talismans · Bagua mirrors, coin swords & temple charms
Every type in the gallery

Anything in the gallery can be made: any piece, any tradition, in its own material or yours, by hand from the documented original. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted before anything is made. I reply within one business day.