Concept information
Preferred term
talismanic script
Definition
- Refers to a sacred and esoteric form of writing, primarily in Daoism, rooted in ancient shamanic traditions. It emerged during the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 CE) and is used in rituals and spiritual practices to invoke spirits, protect against evil spirits, and heal illnesses. The script in talismans is typically characterized by intricate strokes, symbols, and diagrams, often incorporating a mixture of various scripts and graphs, including curvilinear strokes and visual motifs, to convey mystical power. Other possible terms for fulu include 'magic writing', 'magic script', 'magic figures', 'magic formulae', 'secret talismanic writing', and 'talismanic characters'.
Alternative Terms
符箓/符录
Chinese
fulu
Source
- Huang, Shih-shan Susan. 2014. Picturing the True Form: Daoist Visual Culture in Traditional China. Cambridge: Harvard Asia Center.
- N.a. 2014. “Niaochongshu 符箓 (Talismanic Script)”. zdic.net. https://www.zdic.net/hans/%E7%AC%A6%E7%AE%93. [Accessed Apr. 2025]
Belongs to group
In other languages
-
fulu
Chinese
URI
http://w3id.org/write/thesaurus/talismanic_script
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