Talisman

Printed exorcistic charm or talisman known as bai jie zhi百解紙 (“hundred removals paper”) or bai jie fu 百解符 (“hundred removals talisman”). Printed to a standard design and text, these paper talismans are used in Chinese popular religion (sometimes called “Daoism”) to remove troubles and misfortunes. There are images of three deities, and text describing the efficacy claimed for the talisman. Blanks are left for the users to fill in their date of birth and identifying details. The talisman is burnt in order to take effect. They are very cheaply printed as much of the printing has faded and become difficult to read. The most common concept in the text is that of jie 解 “to remove, resolve, release, exorcise". The paper charm bears a red sealing, with the text fo fa seng bao 佛法僧寶 “The Treasures: Buddha, Dharma, Sanga.” The rest of the legible text includes the following:

迎接恩星拱照，保安解厄赦罪。(top line)

Welcoming the greeting of the Benevolent Star, preserving peace, removing calamity, and pardoning sins.

天解賜福消災，地解生恩化難。

Heavenly removals grant good fortune and dispel disaster. Earthly removals bring benevolence and transform difficulties.

吉神保護百解凶星驅邪?截。

The auspicious spirits protect, remove one hundredfold inauspicious stars, expel evil, [?].

一解百難，二解四季吉凶，三解滿年疾厄，四解宅疹瘡痲，五解官非口舌，六解家宅相形，七解水火除烕，八解時來命寧，九解 … 十解 … 十一解宅舍大吉，十二解消災百病。

First removal: the hundred difficulties. Second removal: good and bad luck of the four seasons. Third removal: illness and calamity for a full year. Fourth removal: the household’s ulcers and pox. Fifth removal: arguments with officials. Sixth removal: appearances of the household [?]. Seventh removal: destruction by fire and water. Eighth removal: fate that occasion brings [?]. Ninth removal: […] Tenth removal […] Eleventh removal: the household is greatly auspicious [?]. Twelfth removal: dispel disasters and the hundred sicknesses.