User:Donald Trung/Yansheng Coin

This page 📃 serves as the "editing history" of the article Yansheng Coin prior to it's launch, and is preserved purely for the historical record.

Original draft

[[File:Lucky coins (14488626357).jpg|thumb|right|Different types of Yansheng coins in [[Hội An]], [[Vietnam]].]] '''Yansheng Coin''' ({{zh | t=厭勝錢| s=厌胜钱| hp=yàn shèng qián}}), in [[Western world|the west]] they are more commonly known as '''Chinese numismatic charms''' or simply '''Chinese charms''' (alternatively they may be known as '''Chinese amulets''' or '''Chinese talismans'''), is a collection of special kinds of coins and coin-shaped objects used mainly for ritual uses as well as [[fortune telling]] and are involved in almost all forms of Chinese superstitions and [[Feng shui]]. It was very popular in [[Imperial era of Chinese history|ancient China]] and even the [[Republic of China]] era. Normally these coins are privately funded or cast, such as by a rich family for their own family ceremony, though a few types have been known to be cast by various governments or religious orders over the centuries. They originated during the [[Han dynasty]] as a variant of the contemporary [[Ban Liang]] and Wu Zhu [[Cash (Chinese coin)|cash coins]] but evolved into their right right and into many different categories in various shapes and sizes over the centuries. Chinese numismatic charms typically contain a lot of hidden symbolism and [[visual pun]]s. Unlike cash coins which usually only contain two or four Hanzi characters on one side Chinese numismatic charms often contain more characters and may or may not also contain pictures on the same side. It's not a real kind of [[currency]], and cannot be circulated in [[Market (economics)|market]], although some variants were sometimes used as [[alternative currencies]] especially ''temple coins'' during the [[Yuan dynasty]] when copper currency was scarce or its production was intentionally limited by the Mongol government. The collection (''e.g.'' antique collection, coin collection) of this kind of coins has a long history, and has been very popular since the [[Western Han]] Dynasty. Normally this kind of coins are heavily decorated, have complicated patterns, and even engraved.<ref>[[Baidu]].com Encyclopaedia: [http://baike.baidu.com/view/175516.htm Yansheng Coin (厌胜钱)](in [[Mandarin Chinese]] using [[Simplified Chinese characters]])</ref> Sometimes actual government cast Chinese cash coins can become Chinese numismatic charms such as the fact that in Feng shui [[Qing dynasty coinage|Qing dynasty era cash coins]] with inscriptions of the five emperors [[Shunzhi Emperor|Shunzhi]], [[Kangxi Emperor|Kangxi]], [[Yongzheng Emperor|Yongzheng]], [[Qianlong Emperor|Qianlong]], and [[Jiaqing Emperor|Jiaqing]] placed together are said to bring wealth and good fortune to those that string these five coins together.<ref>Your Chinese Astrology [https://www.yourchineseastrology.com/feng-shui/items/ Feng Shui Items/Symbols and Their Meanings]. Retrieved: 13 May 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://shuangxingfu.blogspot.nl/2008/02/ancient-five-emperor-coins.html?m=1|title= ANCIENT FIVE EMPEROR COINS.|date=13 February 2008|accessdate=14 May 2018|work= Miss Cheah (Xing Fu - 幸福)|language=en}}</ref> Chinese numismatic charms and amulets have inspired a similar tradition in [[Japan]], [[Korea]], and [[Vietnam]] and often charms and amulets from these other countries can be confused for Chinese charms due to their similar symbolism and inscriptions. == Names == Its formal name and pronunciation would be '''''Yasheng''''' coin/money ({{zh | t=押胜钱| s=压胜钱| hp=yā shèng qián| links=no}}), but nowadays '''''Yansheng''''' is more widely known. In ''[[Shuowen Jiezi]]'', it records: "厌，笮也，今人作压。"<ref>"笮" in pinyin is '''''zé''''' or '''''zuó'''''. ''Zé'' appeared earlier, and original meant "bamboo ware to contain arrows", so it's a military ware (for war and hunting). ''Zuó'' came later, which means "rope made of bamboo rips".</ref> ("''Yā''(厌), bamboo ritual ware, nowadays (Western Han Dynasty period) people use as ''Yā'' (压)), which would imply the original meaning of ''Yasheng'' is for terrifying ghosts away and praying for victory.<ref>''[[Shuowen Jiezi]]'' (a Chinese dictionary of Western Han Dynasty), by [[Xu Shen]]</ref> Sometimes, the [[nickname]] for Yansheng coin also includes so-called "''flower coin''" or "''patterned coin''" ({{zh | t=花錢| s=花钱| hp=huā qián| links=no}}). == History and usage == {{Seealso|Cash (Chinese coin)#Cash coins and superstitions}} Yansheng coins were first appeared during the [[Western Han]] Dynasty. It was mainly originated from necromancy, for propitious wishes, terrifying [[ghost]]s, [[lucky money]], or even for praying the victory of a war. In [[Ming Dynasty|Ming]] and [[Qing Dynasty|Qing]] Dynasties, the imperial government also issued such coins, such as for big festivals or ceremonies like the emperor's birthday or the introduction of a new inscription on government issued cash coins. === Origins === [[File:S514 WuZhu HanEst 184 (6986320400).jpg|thumb|left|An Eastern Han dynasty Wu Zhu cash coin with additional decorations.]] [[Zhou dynasty coinage|The earliest Chinese coinage]] bore inscriptions that described their place of origin during the [[Warring States period]] and sometimes their nominal value was included. Eventually other forms of notation such as circles possibly representing "the sun", crescents possibly representing "the moon", and dots possibly representing "the stars" as well as blobs and lines were inscribed on [[Ancient Chinese coinage]]. These symbols were sometimes protruded into the surface of the coin (Chinese: 阳文; Pinyin: ''yáng wén'') and sometimes they were carved, engraved or incused (Chinese: 阴文; Pinyin: ''yīn wén'') into these types of coins. These symbols would eventually evolve into Chinese charms with coins originally being used as charms. Dots were the first and most common form of symbol (appearing mostly during the [[Han dynasty]]) that appeared on ancient Chinese cash coins such as the [[Ban Liang]] coins, these symbols though simple to produce usually appeared obverse side of the coins and were probably carved as a part of the mold meaning that they were intentionally added. Crescent symbols are found on both the obverse and reverse sides of these coins and were also added around the same period as the dots, after this both regular [[Chinese numerals]] and counting rod numerals began to appear on ancient Chinese cash coins during the beginning of the [[Eastern Han dynasty]]. Chinese characters also began to appear on these early cash coins which could've meant that these coins should only circulate in certain regions or might've been the names of the people who cast these cash coins. Coins made under Emperor [[Wang Mang]] of the [[Xin dynasty]] are were later used as the basis of many Chinese amulets and charms because of how distinct these coins look from Han dynasty era coinage.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/charmcoins.html|title= Emergence of Chinese Charms - Symbols Begin to Appear on Chinese Coins.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=27 March 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref> Museum of Chinese Art and Ethnography ● [[Parma]], [[Italy]] ● 0521-257.337 [http://www.museocineseparma.org/artecinese/china_charms_index.htm Good Luck Charms]. Retrieved: 08 May 2018. Xaverian Missionaries © Museo d'Arte Cinese ed Etnografico - 2018 - Parma, Italia </ref> == Categories == [[File:A Yasheng Coin.jpg|thumb|1.2|A Yansheng coin of Chinese characters 福 (left) and 壽 (right) repeated in various scripts. [[Qing Dynasty]] antique]] Unlike government cast Chinese cash coins which typically only have four characters, Chinese numismatic charms often have more than four characters and depict images of various scenes.<ref>Sportstune.com [http://www.sportstune.com/chinese/beginners.html Chinese coins - for beginners] by John Ferguson. Retrieved: 09 May 2018.</ref> This kind of coins has several different styles: * carved/engraved ({{zh | c=镂空品| hp=lòukōng pǐn| links=no}}) ** with animal ** with people ** with plants * words/[[Chinese character|character]]s on coin ({{zh | c=钱文品| hp=qián wén pǐn| links=no}}) * sentences/wishes ({{zh | c=吉语品| hp=jí yǔ pǐn| links=no}}) * [[Chinese zodiac]]/zodiac ({{zh | c=生肖品| hp=shēngxiào pǐn| links=no}}) * [[Taoism]]/[[Ba gua|Bagua]] ({{zh | c=八卦品| hp=bāguà pǐn| links=no}}), or [[Buddhism]] gods ({{zh | c=神仙佛道品| hp=shénxiān fú dào pǐn| links=no}}) * Horses/military ({{zh | c=打马格品| hp=dǎ mǎ gé pǐn| links=no}}) * Abnormal or combined styles ({{zh | c=异形品| hp=yìxíng pǐn| links=no}}) == Types of Chinese charms == === Horse coins === {{Main|Horse coin}} [[File:打馬所用的打馬錢.jpg|thumb|left|打馬所用的打馬錢|An example of a Chinese horse coin.]] Horse coins ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 馬錢; [[Pinyin]]: ''mǎ qián'') were a type of Chinese charm that originated in the [[Song dynasty]], most [[horse]] coins tend to be round coins 3 centimeters in diameter with a circular or square hole in the middle of the coin. The horses featured on horse coins are depicted in various positions. it is currently unknown how horse coins were actually used though it is speculated that Chinese horse coins were actually used as game board pieces or gambling counters. Horse coins are most often manufactured from copper or bronze, but in a few documented cases they may also be made from animal horns or ivory. The horse coins produced during the Song dynasty are considered to be those of the best quality and craftsmanship and tend be made from better metal than the horse coins produced after.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/horse.html|title= Horse Coins - 馬錢.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=27 March 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> Horse coins often depicted famous horses from [[History of China|Chinese history]], while commemorative horse coins would also feature riders, such as the horse coin that features “General [[Yue Yi]] of the State of Yan” commemorating the event that a [[Yan (state)|Yan]] general attempted to conquer the city of [[Jimo District|Jimo]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/05/18/battle-of-jimo-horse-coin/|title= "Battle of Jimo" Horse Coin.|date=18 May 2011|accessdate=27 March 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> === Zodiac charms === Chinese zodiac charms are types of charms based on either the twelve animals or the twelve earthly stems. These charms are based off of the system of twelve ancient Chinese astronomers deduced by calculating the orbit of [[Jupiter (planet)|Jupiter]], which was also applied to [[Earth (planet)|Earth]], for this reason some ancient Chinese zodiac charms feature stellar constellations. By the time of the [[Spring and Autumn Period]] the twelve earthly branches which were associated with the months and the twelve animals became linked to each other which during the [[Han dynasty]] became linked to a person's year of birth. Based on these traditions charms with inscriptions related to the twelve animals and twelve earthy branches, some ancient Chinese zodiac charms featured all twelve animals and others might also include the twelve earthly branches. It is not uncommon for zodiac charms to feature the character ''gua'' (挂) which indicates that the charm should be hung from a necklace or from the waist.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/zodiac.html |title= Ancient Chinese Zodiac Charms - The 12 Animals of the Chinese Zodiac Representing the 12 Earthly Branches - Origin and History of the 12 Animals and the 12 Earthly Branches.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=13 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> Modern [[Fengshui]] charms often incorporate the same zodiac based features.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.thespruce.com/lucky-charms-for-all-chinese-zodiac-signs-1274613 |title= Feng Shui Lucky Charms for All Chinese Zodiac Signs (www.thespruce.com) - Find the 2017 and overall lucky charms for your Chinese zodiac sign.|date=10 March2017|accessdate=13 April 2018|work=Rodika Tchi (for The Spruce)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Edgar J.Mandel. Metal Charms and Amulets of China.</ref><ref>A. A. Remmelts. Chinese Charms and Amulets. [[Amsterdam]], 1968.</ref><ref>Fredrik Schjoth. Chinese currency. Oslo, 1929.</ref><ref>J. H. Stewart Lockhart. The Stewart Lockhart Collection of Chinese Copper Coins. Hongkong-Singapore-Yokohama, 1915.</ref><ref>Sportstune (Chinese charms) [http://sportstune.com/chinese/charms/3-4.html Chinese charms, sections 3-4]. 3. ZODIAC CHARMS. 4. ZODIAC COMBINED WITH EIGHT TRIGRAMS. Retrieved: 02 May 2018.</ref> === Numismatic charms for good luck === Chinese numismatic "good luck charms" or "auspicious charms" are special Chinese charms inscripted with various [[Chinese characters]] representing good luck and prosperity. As the idea that lucky charms had strong effects has traditionally been very popular in China they were also used to what some people think can scare away evil and presumably protect their families. Chinese "good luck charms" generally contain either 4 or 8 characters wishing for good luck, good fortune, money, a long life, many children, and good results in the [[Imperial examination|imperial examination system]]. Some Chinese "good luck charms" used images and/or visual puns to make a statement wishing for prosperity and success. Some Chinese "good luck charms" feature [[pomegranate]]s which symbolise the desire to get successful and skilled male children as the ideal traditional Chinese family would contain 5 sons and 2 daughters as sons carry the ancestral lineage and take care of their family while daughters only take care of their in-laws.<ref>KKNews [https://kknews.cc/zh-hk/collect/gv8n9ae.html 花錢 一 真實成交表 2017-02-23 由 我曰了 發表于收藏]. Retrieved: 18 April 2018. (in [[Mandarin Chinese]])</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/auspicious.html|title= Charms with Auspicious Inscriptions -- Good Fortune, Wealth, Longevity, Honor, Sons and Official Rank.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=14 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Fang A C, & Thierry Fr. (éditeurs). The Language and Iconography of Chinese Coin Charms: Deciphering a Past Belief System, Springer, Berlin and Heidelberg 2016. 302+xx pages. ISBN 978-981-10-1791-9.</ref><ref>Amulettes de Chine et du Vietnam (1987) by François Thierry de Crussol (in [[French language|French]]).</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/types.html|title= Types of Chinese Charms.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref> « Writing against Evil : Epigraphy on Chinese yaguai 壓怪 Charms », in Fang A.C. & Thierry Fr. (eds.). The Language and Iconography of Chinese Coin Charms: Deciphering a Past Belief System, Springer, Berlin and Heidelberg 2016, 203-222.</ref> Some Chinese numismatic charms depict [[rhinoceros]]es which is considered a symbol associated with "happiness" due to the fact that the Chinese words for rhinocesor and "happiness" are both pronounced as ''xi'', as the rhinoceros became extinct in [[Southern China]] during the ancient period they became mystified in Chinese legends causing the ancient Chinese to believe the stars in the sky were being reflected in the veins and patterns of a rhinoceros horn. The horn of the rhinoceros was believed thar it could emit a vapour that could penetrate bodies water, traverse the skies and open channels to communicate directly with the spirits, for these reasons rhinoceroses are a common theme on Chinese numismatic charms.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/auspicious.html#fu_yan_shou_chang|title= Charms with Auspicious Inscriptions -- Good Fortune, Wealth, Longevity, Honor, Sons and Official Rank - Longevity, Wealth and Honor.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=14 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Primalastrology. [http://www.primalastrology.com/rhinoceros.html PRIMAL ZODIAC SIGN OF RHINOCEROS] by [http://www.primalastrology.com/about-the-astrologer.html Simon Poindexter]. Retrieved: 18 April 2018.</ref><ref>Scribd [https://www.scribd.com/document/367152854/Chinese-Mythology Chinese Mythology]. Retrieved: 18 April 2018.</ref> A number of good luck charms contain inscriptions such as ''téng jiāo qǐ fèng'' (騰蛟起鳳, “a dragon soaring and a phoenix dancing” which is a reference to a story of [[Wang Bo (poet)|Wang Bo]]),<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2015/08/07/dragon-soaring-and-phoenix-dancing-charm/|title= "Dragon Soaring and Phoenix Dancing" Charm.|date=7 August 2015|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> ''lián shēng guì zǐ'' (連生貴子, “May there be the birth of one honorable son after another”),<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2015/09/28/may-there-be-the-birth-of-one-honorable-son-after-another/|title= May There Be the Birth of One Honorable Son after Another.|date=18 September 2015|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> ''zhī lán yù shù'' (芝蘭玉樹, "A Talented and Noble Young Man"),<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2016/11/11/a-talented-and-noble-young-man/ |title= A Talented and Noble Young Man.|date=11 November 2016|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> === Gourd charms === '''Gourd charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 葫蘆錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 葫芦钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''hú lu qián'') are Chinese numismatic charms shaped like [[calabash]]es. The calabash in China is associated with medicine so these charms are used to wish for good health or for many sons as trailing calabash vines are associated with men and carry ten thousand seeds, for this reason gourd charms are considered an important symbol for people who wish to have large families. As the first character in gourd is pronounced as ''hú'' (葫) which sounds similar to the Chinese word for "protect" ''hù'' (護) or the word for "blessing" ''hù'' (祜) gourd charms are used to ward off evil spirits. As the number eight is considered to be an omen for good luck in China the fact that calabashes are shaped like the [[Arabic numerals|Arabic number]] "8" these charms are considered to be omens of good luck in the modern age. As calabashes were believed to have the magical power of protecting children from [[smallpox]] gourd charms are used with the belief that they keep children healthy as the belief is that the God of smallpox and the measles would transfer the smallpox from the child into the gourd charm. There exists a variant of the gourd charm which is shaped like two [[Cash (Chinese coin)|traditional cash coins]] stacked to resemble a calabash with a small cash-shaped coin on top and a bigger one at the bottom, these charms also just have 4 characters however they do not contain any inscriptions used on cash coins but contain auspicious messages.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/gourd.html|title= Gourd Charms - 葫蘆 - Gourds in Ancient China.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=18 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>HubPages [https:// hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/how-to-use-hulu-gourd-in-fengshui How to use hulu gourd in feng shui] by Pinkytoky. Updated on September 4, 2017. Retrieved on April 19th, 2018.</ref><ref>Fengshui Gifts Ideas.com (Wide Range of Feng Shui Enhancers, Cures & Good Luck Symbols) [http://www.fengshuigiftsideas.com/wealthhealthlongevity/fengshui-applications-of-wulou-gourd Feng shui applications of wu lou gourd]. Retrieved: 19 April 2018.</ref><ref>Life | 13,927 views. [ 8 Lucky Charms You Need for the Year of the Wood Horse - Win a lucky Golden Horse figurine for the Year of the Wood Horse!] By Melody Jane Ang | Published on: January 20, 2014. Retrieved: 02 May, 2018.</ref> Some Chinese numismatic charms contain visual puns such as a Gourd charm that is composed of two replicas of Wu Zhu cash coins with a bat placed to obscure the characters that are nearest to each other, the Chinese word for bat sounds similar to that of "happiness", the square hole in the centre of a cash coin is referred to as an "eye" (眼, ''yǎn''), and as the Chinese word for "coin" (錢, ''qián'') has almost the same pronunciation as "before" (前, ''qián''). For this reason this charm could be interpreted as "happiness is before your eyes".<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2013/11/04/happiness-is-before-your-eyes/|title= Happiness Is Before Your Eyes.|date=4 November 2013|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> === Eight Treasures charms === Chinese Eight Treasures charms ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 八寶錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 八宝钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''bā bǎo qián'') depict the [[Eight Treasures]], these treasures are also known as the "Eight Precious Things" and the "Eight Auspicious Treasures", but in actuality refer to a large group of items from antiquity known as the "Hundred Antiques" (百古) which consists of objects utilised in the writing of [[Chinese calligraphy]] such aa painting brushes, ink, writing paper and ink slabs as well as other antiques such as Chinese chess, paintings, [[Chinese music]] and various others. Most commonly cash coins, the [[Ruyi (scepter)|ceremonial Ruyi]], [[coral]], [[lozenge]], [[Rhinoceros horn]]s, [[sycee]]s, stone chimez, and the flaming pearls are depicted on older charms. "Eight Treasures charms" can display the eight precious organs of the Buddha's body, the eight auspicious signs, or the various emblems of the eight Immortals from [[Taoism]] as well as eight normal Chinese character. Variants without inscriptions also exist.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/eighttreasures.html |title= The Eight Treasures - 八寶.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=20 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine: A New Translation of the Neijing Suwen with Commentary by Maoshing Ni.</ref><ref>Edgar J.Mandel. Trial listing. Korean Charms and Amulets. 1968.</ref><ref>Li Zuding. Chinese Traditional Auspicious patterns. Shanghai 1994.</ref><ref>Sportstune (Chinese charms) [http://sportstune.com/chinese/charms/1-2.html#2 Chinese charms, sections 1-2]. Retrieved: 02 May 2018.</ref> === Liu Hai and the Three-Legged Toad charms === These are Chinese charms depict [[Liu Haichan]] and the [[Jin Chan]], Liu Haichan is one of the most popular figures to appear on Chinese charms, the symbolism behind these charms can differ from region to region as in some [[varieties of Chinese]], the character chan has a pronunciation very similar to ''qián'' (錢) which means "coin". Because the Jin Chan lives on the moon these charms symbolise wishing for that which is "unattainable" which can be interpreted as that these charms are the most auspicious and conducive to attracting good fortune to the holder. While contradictory the moral of these charms can be interpreted as that attaining money is the fatal attraction which can lure a person to their downfall.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/liuhai.html|title= Liu Hai and the Three-Legged Toad - 劉海戲蟾.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=22 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mahjongtreasures.com/2015/01/13/liu-hai-and-the-three-legged-toad/ |title=Liu Hai and the Three Legged Toad.|date=13 January 2015|accessdate=22 April 2018|work=Kuan Yin for Mahjong Treasures. |language=en}}</ref><ref>Feng Shui Crazy (Live your life in Feng Shui Harmony) [http://www.fengshuicrazy.com/business-wealth/liu-hai-and-the-three-legged-toad.php Liu Hai and the three legged toad]. Retrieved: 22 April 2018.</ref><ref>Godchecker.com (Chinese Mythology – The Gods and Spirits of the Middle Kingdom…) [http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/chinese-mythology.php?deity=LIU-HAI LIU-HAI - Chinese Wealth God] Also known as LIU-HAR, LIU-YUAN-YING, HAI-CHAN, LI-HAI - Prosperous Coin-Juggling God. Retrieved: 22 April 2018.</ref> === Vault Protector coins === [[File:Vault Protector Coin made by Board of Works Mint.png|thumb|right|A Vault Protector coin made by the Board of Works Mint in [[Beijing]].]] '''Vault Protector coins''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 鎮庫錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 镇库钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''zhèn kù qián'') were a type of coin created by Chinese mints that were a lot larger, heavier and thicker than regular cash coins and were well-made as they were designed to occupy a special place within the treasury of the mint. The treasury had a spirit hall for offerings to the gods of the Chinese pantheon, Vault Protector coins would oftentimes be hung with red silk and tassels for the Chinese God of Wealth and these coins were believed to have charm-like magical powers that would protect the vault from misfortune while bringing wealth and fortune to the treasury.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2015/06/10/vault-protector-coins/|title= Vault Protector Coins.|date=10 June 2015|accessdate=22 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>“Coins in China’s History” published in 1936 by Arthur B. Coole (邱文明).</ref> === The Book of Changes and Bagua charms (Eight Trigram charms) === [[File:Chinese amulet trigrammen.png|thumb|left|A Chinese amulet with the 8 trigrams.]] Chinese charms depicting illustrations and subjects from the [[I-Ching]] are used to wish for the cosmic principles associated with divination in Ancient China such as simplicity, variability, and persistency. Bagua charms may also depict the [[Eight Trigrams]]. Bagua charms commonly feature depictions of trigrams, the [[Yin Yang]] symbol, [[Neolithic]] jade cong's (琮), the Ruyi sceptre, [[bat]]s, and [[Cash (Chinese coin)|cash coins]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/bagua.html|title= The Book of Changes and Bagua Charms - 易經 - The Book of Changes (I Ching, Yijing).|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=22 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Talismans & Amulets by Felicitas H. Nelson - Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 2008 - Body, Mind & Spirit - 267 pages. ISBN 1402746253, 9781402746253</ref><ref>The Chicago Journal [https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1086/463201?download=true The Eight Trigrams: Variants and Their Uses]. History of Religions - Vol. 29: Issue. 4: Pages. 301-317 (Issue publication date: May 1990) Retrieved: 25 April 2018.</ref><ref>Ba Gua Nei Gong Tian Gan Heavenly Stem (Ba Gua, #5) by Tom Bisio.</ref></ref> Liu Bin's Zhuong Gong Bagua Zhang: Foundation Practices, Volume One by Zhang Jie.</ref><ref>The Eight Animals of Bagua Zhang (Book and Dvd) by Ted Mancuso, Debbie Shayne (Photographer).</ref><ref>Sportstune (Chinese charms) [http://sportstune.com/chinese/charms/6-7.html#7 Chinese charms, sections 6-7]. 6. MAGIC SPELL CHARACTERS COMBINED WITH EIGHT TRIGRAMS. 7. MAGIC SPELL CHARACTERS AND INCANTATIONS. 6. MAGIC SPELL CHARACTERS COMBINED WITH EIHGT TRIGRAMS. Retrieved: 02 May 2018.</ref> === Open-work charms === [[File:Amulet. SMVK EM objekt 1299075 B.jpg|thumb|right|An Open-work charm.]] '''Open-work money''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 鏤空錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 镂空钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''lòu kōng qián'') also known as ''"elegant" money'' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 玲瓏錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 玲珑钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''líng lóng qián'') are a collection of types of Chinese numismatic charms characterised by irregular shaped "openings" or "holes" between the rest of the design elements of these coins and they tend have a single large round hole in the middle of the coin, while open-work charms that feature designs of temples and other buildings tend to have a square hole in the centre similar to Chinese cash coins. The majority of open-work charms are exclusively decorated with images which are identical on both sides of the coin only reversed, while open-work charms that contain Chinese characters are rare. Compared to other Chinese charms open-work charms are notable for more often being made from [[bronze]] than [[brass]] and being significantly larger. The first Chinese open-work charms can be dated to the [[Han dynasty]], though the majority of those from this era are small specimens taken from various utensils. They became more popular during the reigns of the [[Song dynasty|Song]], [[Yuan dynasty|Mongol Yuan]], and [[Ming dynasty|Ming dynasties]] but loss popularity under the Manchu [[Qing dynasty]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/openwork.html |title= Chinese Open Work Charms - 鏤空錢 - "Hollowed Out" Money.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=25 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>The Language and Iconography of Chinese Charms: Deciphering a Past Belief System (English and Chinese Edition) by Alex Changyu Fang and François Thierry. 1st ed. 2016 Edition. Published by Springer. ISBN-13: 978-9811017919, ISBN-10: 9811017913</ref><ref> Brand: Way of the Dragon Publishing, The - Qigong Empowerment: A Guide to Medical, Taoist, Buddhist and Wushu Energy Cultivation ([[English language|English]] and [[Mandarin Chinese|Chinese]] Edition) by Master Shou-Yu Liang & Wen-Ching Wu.</ref><ref>J. Mevius - Chinese charms and amulets. Publication date: January 1, 1968</ref><ref>Sportstune (Chinese charms) [http://sportstune.com/chinese/charms/8.html Chinese charms, section 8]. 8. OPEN WORK CHARMS. 8.1 Geometric designs. 8.2 Plants and flowers. 8.3 Dragons. 8.4 Dragon and Phoenix. 8.5 Phoenix or birds. 8.6 Deer or other animals. 8.7 Fish. 8.8 Human figures. 8.9 Buildings. Retrieved: 02 May 2018.</ref><ref>LIU Chunsheng, Zhongguo gudai loukong huaqian kianshang ([[Beijing]]: Zuojia chubanshe, 2005) ISBN 7-5063-3237-X // 刘春声著：《中国古代镂空花钱鉴赏》， 北京：作家出版社，2005年。(in [[Mandarin Chinese]] using [[Simplified Chinese characters]]).</ref> Categories of open-work charms: * Open-work charms with immortals and people * [[Chinese dragon|Dragon]] open-work charms * [[Fenghuang|Phoenix]] open-work charms * Peacock open-work charms * [[Qilin|Chinese Unicorn]] open-work charms * Bat open-work charms * Lotus open-work charms * Flower and Vine open-work charms * Open-work charms with buildings and temples{{efn|Most of the open-work charms depicting buildings and temples are believed to have been cast in the [[Dali City|city of Dali]], [[Yunnan]] during the Ming dynasty.}} * Fish open-work charms * Deer open-work charms * Lion open-work charms * Tiger open-work charms * Rabbit open-work charms * Bird open-work charms * Crane open-work charms * Horse open-work charms === 24 character charms ("Good Fortune" and Longevity Charms) === '''24 character "Good Fortune" charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 二十四福字錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 二十四福字钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''èr shí sì fú zì qián'') and '''24 character longevity charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 二十四壽字錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 二十四寿字钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''èr shí sì shòu zì qián'') refer to Chinese numismatic charms which have twenty-four characters on them and either contains a variation of the Hanzi character ''fú'' (福, good luck) or ''shòu'' (壽, longevity) which are the most common and second most Hanzi characters to appear on Chinese charms, respectively. The Ancient Chinese believed that the more characters a charm had the more good fortune it would bring, although it is currently unknown why 24 characters is the default used for these charms. One proposition claims that 24 was selected because it is a multiple of the number [[8]] which was seen as auspicious to the Ancient Chinese due to how the number 8 is pronounced in several varieties of Chinese where the pronunciation is close to that of "good luck", another proposed possibility as to why 24 characters were selected for these charms is because of the twelve [[Chinese zodiac]]s and the twelve earthly branches of [[Chinese mythology]]. Other possibilities include that these Chinese charms are based on the fact that the Chinese feng shui special compass (罗盘) has 24 directions, that Chinese years are divided in 12 months and 12 [[shichen]], the fact Chinese season markers are divided into 24 [[solar terms]], or the 24 examples of [[filial piety]] from [[Confucianism]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/fortunelongevity.html|title= "Good Fortune" and Longevity Charms - 二十四福字二十四壽字錢 - Charms with 24 "Good Fortune" Characters and 24 Longevity Characters.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=26 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>The Greater China Journal [https://china-journal.org/2016/03/14/filial-piety-in-chinese-culture/ Filial Piety (孝) in Chinese Culture] by Aris Teon. Published: March 14, 2016. Retrieved: 28 April 2018.</ref><ref>Filial Piety in Chinese Thought and History by Alan Kam-leung Chan, Sor-hoon Tan. Publisher: Psychology Press, 2004.</ref><ref> Confucian Democracy: A Deweyan Reconstruction by Sor-hoon Tan Publisher: SUNY Press, 2003.</ref><ref>Your Chinese Astrology [https://www.yourchineseastrology.com/calendar/heavenly-stems-earthly-branches.htm Ten Heavenly Stems and Twelve Earthly Branches]. Retrieved: 28 April 2018.</ref><ref>Chinastyle.cn (Ancient * Life * Art * Culture) [http://www.chinastyle.cn/chinese-zodiac-calendar/jieqi.htm Jieqi]. Retrieved: 28 April 2018.</ref><ref>University of Maine [http://hua.umf.maine.edu/China/astronomy/tianpage/0008H_6703bw.html 24 Seasonal Segments 二十四节气] by Marilyn Shea]. Published: 2007. Retrieved: 28 April 2018.</ref><ref>Columbia University Press - How to Read Chinese Poetry Workbook by Cai Zong-Qi. Published: 6 March 2012. ISBN-10 0231156588. ISBN-13 978-0231156585.</ref> === Old Chinese Chess (Xiangqi) pieces === The game of [[Xiangqi]] was originally played with either metallic or porcelain chess pieces during ancient times and these pieces were often collected and researched by those with an interest in Chinese cash coins, Chinese charms and horse coins. These coins are regarded as a type of Chinese charm and are divided into the following categories: * Elephants (象) * Soldiers (卒) * Generals (将) * Horses (马) * chariots (車) * guards (士) * Canons (炮) * Palaces (宫) * Rivers (河) The earliest discovered Xiangqi pieces date to the Chongning era (1102-1106) of the [[Song dynasty]] and were unearthed in the province of [[Jiangxi]] in 1984. These chess charms were also found along the [[Silk road]] in provinces like [[Xinjiang]] and were also used by the [[Tangut]]s of the [[Western Xia dynasty]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/xiangqi.html|title= Old Chinese Chess (Xiangqi) Pieces - 象棋 - Introduction to Chinese Xiangqi Chess.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=29 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Tuttle Publishing - Chinese Chess: An Introduction to China's Ancient Game of Strategy by H. T. Lau. Publication date: August 15, 2003. ISBN-13 978-0804835084.</ref><ref>History of Chess. [http://history.chess.free.fr/xiangqi.htm Xiangqi, Chinese Chess - Les échecs chinois]. Published: 30/07/2012. Retrieved: 29 April 2018.</ref><ref>Andrew Lo and Tzi-Cheng Wang, ""The Earthworms Tame the Dragon": The Game of Xiangqi" in Asian Games, The Art of Contest, edited by Asia Society, 2004.</ref><ref>History of Chess [http://history.chess.free.fr/xiangqi-old-pieces.htm Old Xiangqi pieces - Anciennes pièces de Xiangqi]. Published: 25/08/2011 Modified: 25/03/2014. Retrieved: 29 April 2018.</ref><ref>Carolus Chess [https://sites.google.com/site/caroluschess/chess-and-game-variants/xiangqi/ancient-xiangqi-pieces Ancient Xiangqi Pieces Introduction to Chinese Xiangqi Chess] by Carolus. Retrieved: 29 April 2018.</ref><ref>Chotscho [Facsimile Reproduction of Important Findings of the First [[Kingdom of Prussia|Royal Prussian]] Expedition to Turfan in East Turkistan] (1913) vol.1 page 218.</ref><ref>Sportstune (Chinese charms) [http://sportstune.com/chinese/charms/39-45.html Chinese charms, section 39-45]. 39. CHESS PIECES. 40. MEDALS. 41. PASSES, ORDERS, IDENTITY DISKS. 42. TALLIES AND COUNTERS. 43. TOKENS. 44. DRESS ORNAMENTS. 45. UTENSILS. Retrieved: 02 May 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://babelstone.blogspot.nl/2008/07/tangut-chess.html?m=1|title= Tangut Chess.|date=24 July 2008|accessdate=29 April 2018|work= [[Andrew West (linguist)|Andrew West]] (魏安) for BabelStone|language=en}}</ref> === Safe journey charms === '''Safe journey charms''' or ''safe passage charms'' are a major category of Chinese numismatic charms, these charms were produced out of a concern by people for their safety while traveling. One side would usually contain an inscription wishing for the holder of this charm to be granted a safe journey, while the other would contain aspects used on many Chinese charms and amulets such as the Bagua, weapons, and stars. It is also believed that the [[Boxer Rebellion|Boxers]] used safe journey charms as badges of membership during their rebellion against the Manchu Qing dynasty.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/05/13/safe-journey-charm/ |title= Safe Journey Charm.|date=13 May 2011|accessdate=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> === Chinese Spade charms === '''Spade charms''' are Chinese charms based on [[Spade money]], as Chinese charms first emerged during the [[Han dynasty]] most Chinese numismatic charms actually imitated thr round coins with a square hole in the middle that circulated at the time, but as Chinese numismatic charms started to evolve separately from government minted [[Ancient Chinese coinage]], and coins shaped like spades, locks, fish, peaches, gourds, etc. emerged, but most Chinese charms kept looking like contemporary Chinese coinage. Spade charms are based on Spade money which [[Zhou dynasty coinage|circulated during the Zhou dynasty]] until they were abolished by the [[Qin dynasty]], spade money was briefly reintroduced by [[Wang Mang]] during the [[Xin dynasty]]. Chinese spade charms are generally based on the spade money that was produced under the Xin dynasty by Wang Mang.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/spade.html|title= Chinese Spade Charms - 布幣.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=30 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>2-Clicks COINS [http://www.2-clicks-coins.com/article/chinese-spade-coins.html Chinese spade coins. Derived from a farmer’s tool, different variations of spade moneys were used as forms of coinage in ancient China. This early form of currency became the foundation of succeeding coins minted in China.] Copyright © 2-Clicks Coins 2016. Retrieved: 12 July 2017.</ref><ref>Calgary Coin & Antique Gallery – Cast Chinese Coins [http://www.calgarycoin.com/reference/china/china1.htm ANCIENT CHINESE COINAGE 700 BC TO 255 BC] ([http://www.dmudd.net/hist696/images/china.pdf PDF]). Retrieved: 30 April 2018.</ref><ref>The Real Asset Co. [http://therealasset.co.uk/how-to-guide/about-gold/background-gold-investing/gold-money/famous-uses-of-gold-money/zhou-dynasty-coins/ Gold’s monetary role -In ancient China’s Zhou dynasty]. (Home / Education centre / Key gold facts / Background to gold / Gold as money / Famous uses of gold as money / Ancient China’s Zhou Dynasty.) Retrieved: 1 May 2018.</ref><ref>[ The early coins of the Chou dynasty. Author: Arthur Braddan Coole. Publisher: Boston : Quarterman Publications [1973] ©1973.</ref><ref>The China Story [https://www.thechinastory.org/ritp/the-study-of-chinese-coins/ The Study of Chinese Coins]. In this article, Percy J. Smith introduces readers to the history of Chinese copper coins from the Zhou dynasty to Tang dynasty. Several illustrations of different types of coins are included. by Percy J. Smith. (The China Story Project is a web-based account of contemporary China created by the Australian Centre on China in the World (CIW) at the Australian National University in Canberra, which has the most significant concentration of dedicated Chinese Studies expertise and is the publisher of the leading Chinese Studies journals in Australia.) Retrieved: 1 May 2018.</ref><ref>Li Yung Ping, Outlines of Chinese History, Commercial Press.</ref><ref>‘Stewart Lockhart Collection of Chinese Copper Coins’, Royal Asiatic Society, China Branch.</ref><ref>Ch’ien Chih Hsin Pien 錢志新編 (in Chinese), 1830.</ref><ref>The China Journal of Science & Arts, vol.V, no.6 (December 1926): 58-65.</ref> === Chinese lock charms === Chinese '''lock charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 家鎖; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 家锁; [[Pinyin]]: ''jiā suǒ'') are Chinese numismatic charms based on [[Lock (security device)|locks]] symbolising protection from evil spirits of both the holder and their property as well as (supposedly) bring good fortune, high results in the imperial examination system, and longevity and could often be found around the necks of children tied by either [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] and [[Taoism|Taoist]] priests. Chinese lock charms actually do not have any moving parts and are flat, their form resembles that of the Hanzi character “{{linktext|凹}}” which can translate to "concave", all Chinese lock charms have Chinese characters on them. An example of a Chinese lock charm is the "hundred family lock" (Traditional Chinese: 百家鎖), this lock charm lends its name to the fact that the families of the babies would give [[areca nut]]s to other families who were vested in the personal security of the newborn to invite them to donate some of their cash coins to create this lock charm. Many Chinese lock charms are used to wish for stability. Other designs of lock charms include religious mountains, the Bagua, and Yin Yang symbol.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/locks.html|title= Chinese Lock Charms - 鎖片 - Introduction to Lock Charms.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=1 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://longjourneyce.wordpress.com/2010/05/22/ancient-chinese-charms-and-coins-2/|title= Ancient Chinese Charms and Coins (2).|date=22 May 2010|accessdate=1 May 2018|work= Longjourney Online Chinese and English (Vogue and Carefree Learning) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://resources.made-in-china.com/article/culture-life/jQnxpWAGoEIk/Ancient-Chinese-Lock-Charms/|title= One of The More Interesting Forms of Chinese Charms Is The Lock.|date=28 November 2012|accessdate=1 May 2018|work= Made-in-China.com (Copyright © 1998-2018 Focus Technology Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.)|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://blog.clars.com/longevity-locks-silver-childrens-accessories/|title= Chinese Longevity Locks & Other Children's Accessories - Chinese Longevity Locks - 长命锁.|date=27 October 2017|accessdate=1 May 2018|work= Joyce Kwong (Asian Art Specialist at Clars Auction Gallery)|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/unraveling-the-ancient-riddles-of-chinese-jewelry/|title= Unraveling the Ancient Riddles of Chinese Jewelry By Ben Marks — October 19th, 2012|date=19 October 2012|accessdate=1 May 2018|work= Ben Marks for Collectors Weekly|language=en}}</ref><ref>Chinese Money Matters [https://chinesemoneymatters.wordpress.com/2017/08/29/li-zijian-and-chinese-charms/ 23. Li Zijian and Chinese charms] by Simon Cartledge. Retrieved: 05 May 2018.</ref> === Chinese star charms === '''Chinese star charms''' refers to Song dynasty era ''dà guān tōng bǎo'' (大觀通寶) cash coins that depict star constellations on the reverse side of the coin,''dà guān tōng bǎo'' cash coins are often considered to be one of the most beautiful Chinese cash coins because of their “slender gold” script (瘦金書) which was written by [[Huizong of Song|Emperor Huizong]] himself. The reason why this coin was used to make star charms is because the word ''guān'' means star gazing and is a compound word for [[astronomy]] and [[astrology]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/05/27/chinese-star-charm/|title= Chinese Star Charm.|date=27 May 2011|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> === "Five poison" charms === '''"Five poison" charms''' (五毒錢) are Chinese charms or Yansheng coins decorated with inscriptions and images related to the fifth day of the fifth month of the [[Chinese calendar]] (天中节) as this day indicated the start of the [[summer]] which was accompanied with dangerous animals and bugs as well as the spread of pathogens through infection and the alleged appearance of evil spirits, for this reason this day was marked to be the most inauspicious of all days on the Chinese calendar. One of the most common ways many ancient [[Chinese people]] attempted to protect themselves on this day was by wearing "five poison" charms around their necks and especially around the necks of their children. These charms display the "five poisons" (五毒) which are five animals namely snakes, scorpions, centipedes, toads, and spiders although sometimes lizards are included instead of spiders and the three-legged toad or tiger may sometimes be seen as one of the "five poisons", the purpose of these amulets is actually to counter the hazardous effects of the animals displayed on the amulet as the ancient Chinese believed that poison could only be thwarted with poison E.G. Mixing [[quicksilver]] with wine.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/fivepoisons.html|title= The Five Poisons - 五毒 - The Fifth Day of the Fifth Month.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=1 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Gotheborg.com [http://gotheborg.com/glossary/fivepoison.shtml Five Poisonous Creatures]. Copyright © Jan-Erik Nilsson, Gothenburg, Sweden 1998-2017. Retrieved: 01 May 2018.</ref><ref>Christie’s [https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/a-rare-and-unusual-white-jade-carving-5347783-details.aspx Lot 1124 - A RARE AND UNUSUAL WHITE JADE CARVING OF THE FIVE POISONOUS CREATURES (19TH CENTURY)]. Sale 2339 - Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art New York 16 - 17 September 2010. Retrieved: 1 May 2018.</ref><ref>Unspiral (Feed the addiction.) [http://unspiral.tumblr.com/post/117053362332/kanekis-centipede-symbolism Kaneki’s Centipede Symbolism]. Retrieved: 01 May 2018.</ref><ref>中華傳統文化節慶教本之五 - Traditional Chinese Festivals Handbook (English version). [http://www.wceoprogram.org/Files/DragonBoatFestival-English.pdf Dragon Boat Festival]. 美國舊金山慧智文教基金會 Wisdom Culture & Education Organization - 傳藝寰宇文教有限公司 Global Culture Awareness Organization. Retrieved: 01 May 2018.</ref> === Nine-Fold Seal Script charms === '''Nine-Fold Seal Script charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 九疊文錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 九叠文钱; [[Pinyin]]: '' jiǔ dié wén qián'') are Chinese numismatic charms that are written in nine-fold [[seal script]], a style of seal script that was in use from the Song dynasty until the Qing dynasty. Nine-Fold Seal Script charms cast during the Song dynasty are rare, around the end of the Ming dynasty there were Nine-Fold Seal Script charms cast with the obverse inscription ''fú shòu kāng níng'' (福壽康寧, “happiness, longevity, health and composure”), on the reverse side of this charm the text ''bǎi fú bǎi shòu'' (百福百壽, “one hundred happinesses and one hundred longevities”) was written.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2013/12/30/nine-fold-seal-script-charm/|title= Nine-Fold Seal Script Charm.|date=30 December 2013|accessdate=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> === "Eight Decalitres of Talent" charms === The "Eight Decalitres of Talent" charm is a Qing dynasty era handmade charm that has a blue coloured rim, the left and right characters are painted green while the top and bottom characters are painted orange. This charm has the inscription ''bā dòu zhī cái'' (八鬥之才) which could be translated as “eight decalitres of talent”, this inscription is a reference to a story where [[Cao Zhi]] outed to his brother [[Cao Pi]] opposing the fact that he was being oppressed by his older brother out of envy for his talents. The inscription was devised by the the [[Eastern Jin]] dynasty poet [[Xie Lingyun]] as a reference saying that talent was divided in ten pieces and that Cao Zhi alone contains eight of the ten.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/05/28/eight-decalitres-of-talent-charm/|title= "Eight Decalitres of Talent" Charm.|date=28 May 2011|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> === Fish charms === {{See also|Fish in Chinese mythology}} '''Fish charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 魚形飾仵; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 鱼形饰仵; [[Pinyin]]: ''yú xíng shì wǔ'') are Chinese numismatic charms shaped like [[fish]], as the Chinese character for fish "{{linktext|魚}}" (''yú'') is pronounced the same as that for surplus "{{linktext|余}}" (''yú'') the symbol for fish has traditionally been associated with good luck, fortune, longevity, fertility, and many other auspicious things. As the Chinese character for profit "{{linktext|利}}" (''lì'') is pronounced similar to [[carp]] ({{linktext|鯉}}, ''lǐ''), carps are most commonly used for the motif of Chinese fish charms. As in ancient times the knowledge of medicine wasn't as advanced as today the mortality rate for Chinese children was high and their guardians would use fish charms to supposedly protect them and many fish charms would feature inscriptions wishing for the Chinese children who would carry them to stay safe and live.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/fish.html|title= Fish Charms - 魚形飾仵 - The Fish Symbol in Traditional Chinese Culture.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=3 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>[[Wolfram Eberhard|Eberhard, Wolfram]] (2003 [1986 (German version 1983)]), ''A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols: Hidden Symbols in Chinese Life and Thought''. London, New York: Routledge. {{ISBN|0-415-00228-1}}</ref><ref>Yang, Lihui, ''et al.'' (2005). ''Handbook of Chinese Mythology''. New York: Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-19-533263-6}}</ref><ref>Linda Fang & Jeanne N. Lee - The Ch'i-lin Purse: A Collection of Ancient Chinese Stories (Sunburst Book) {{ISBN|978-0374411893}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.primalastrology.com/catfish.html|title= PRIMAL ZODIAC SIGN OF CATFISH. (PrimalAstrology.com)|date=10 December 2017|accessdate=3 May 2018|work=Simon Poindexter (Primalastrology – Find your Primal Zodiac sign!) Copyright © 2012-2017 Royal Mint Publishing, LLC. It is illegal to reprint or repost content from this site without written permission. – PrimalZodiac.|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.thoughtco.com/chinese-character-for-fish-yu-2278332|title= The Significance of Fish in Chinese Language - The Evolution of the Chinese Character and the Cultural Importance of Fish.|date=29 September 2017|accessdate=3 May 2018|work= Qiu Gui Su for ThoughtCo.|language=en}}</ref><ref>Roger T. Ames & Takahiro Nakajima - Zhuangzi and the Happy Fish.</ref><ref>Rob Shone - Chinese Myths (Graphic Mythology) by Rob Shone (2006-01-01)</ref><ref>Chinese Mythology: An Encyclopedia of Myth and Legend by Derek Walters (1995-05-03)</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.primalastrology.com/clownfish.html|title= PRIMAL ZODIAC SIGN OF CLOWNFISH. (PrimalAstrology.com)|date=10 December 2017|accessdate=3 May 2018|work=Simon Poindexter (Primalastrology – Find your Primal Zodiac sign!) Copyright © 2012-2017 Royal Mint Publishing, LLC. It is illegal to reprint or repost content from this site without written permission. – PrimalZodiac.|language=en}}</ref><ref>Christie, Anthony (1968). ''Chinese Mythology''. Feltham: Hamlyn Publishing. {{ISBN|0600006379}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.primalastrology.com/pufferfish.html|title= PRIMAL ZODIAC SIGN OF PUFFERFISH. (PrimalAstrology.com)|date=10 December 2017|accessdate=3 May 2018|work=Simon Poindexter (Primalastrology – Find your Primal Zodiac sign!) Copyright © 2012-2017 Royal Mint Publishing, LLC. It is illegal to reprint or repost content from this site without written permission. – PrimalZodiac.|language=en}}</ref> === Chinese peach charms === '''Chinese peach charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 桃形掛牌; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 桃形挂牌; [[Pinyin]]: ''táo xíng guà pái'') are [[peach]]-shaped Chinese numismatic charms used to wish for longevity, as longevity has traditionally due to [[Confucianism]] always been valued very highly to the point that [[Emperor of China|Chinese Emperors]] would write the character for longevity ({{linktext|壽}}) to those of the lowest social class if they had reached high ages, and in [[Chinese culture]] this was seen to be among the greatest gifts, for this reason this character often appears on peach charms and other Chinese numismatic charms. Chinese peach charms often depict the [[Queen Mother of the West]] or may depict inscriptions such as “長命” (''cháng mìng'' meaning long life) written in [[seal script]]. Ancient Chinese Peach charms were also used to wish for wealth depicting the character “{{linktext|富}}” or higher Mandarin ranks using the character “{{linktext|貴}}”.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/peach.html|title= Chinese Peach Charms - 桃形 - Introduction to Peach Charms.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=5 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>"Peach." Symbols.com. [https://www.symbols.com/symbol/peach Peaches hold an exalted status in Chinese culture, where they are strongly associated with the heavens and with eternal life] by Jesse Brauner. STANDS4 LLC, 2018. Web. Retrieved: 05 May 2018.</ref><ref>Goodlucksymbols.com [https://goodlucksymbols.com/peach/ Peach – Symbolism]. Retrieved: 05 May 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Michael Loewe|title=Ways to paradise: the Chinese quest for immortality|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oLw0AQAAIAAJ|accessdate=5 May 2018|date=31 December 1994|publisher=SMC Pub.|isbn=978-957-638-183-6|page=95}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Patricia Bjaaland Welch|title=Chinese art: a guide to motifs and visual imagery|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5sgO9BuZQSEC&pg=PA159|accessdate=5 May 2018|year=2008|publisher=Tuttle Publishing|isbn=978-0-8048-3864-1|page=159|quote=[Shouxing] commonly holds a giant peach of immortality in his right hand and a walking stick with attached gourd (holding special life-giving elixir) in his left.}}</ref> === Peace charms === '''Peace charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 天下太平錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 天下太平钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''tiān xià tài píng qián'') are Chinese numismatic charms that depict inscriptions wishing for peace and prosperity and are based off of [[History of Chinese currency|Chinese coins]] that use the Chinese characters "太平" (''tài píng'') and these coins are also often considered to have charm-like powers, these coins were originally thought to have been cast first by either the [[Eastern Han dynasty]] or the [[Jin dynasty (265–420)|Jin dynasty]] at the order of Zhao Xin, who was the governour of Yizhou prefecture and placed the order after he captured the city of [[Chengdu]], but today most sources establish that they were first cast by [[Shu Han|the Kingdom of Shu]] after the collapse of the Han dynasty after some archeological finds were made during the 1980s in [[Sichuan]], the Shu Han era coin bore the inscription ''tài píng bǎi qián'' (太平百錢) and was worth one hundred [[Cash (Chinese coin)|Chinese cash coins]], the calligraphic style of this coin resembles that of Chinese charms more than it did the [[Ancient Chinese coinage#Shu Han (221–265)|contemporary currency]]. During the [[Song dynasty]] [[Taizong of Song|Emperor Taizong]] issued a coin with the inscription ''tài píng tōng bǎo'' (太平通寶), and later a [[Ming dynasty coinage|Ming dynasty coin]] was with the inscription ''tài píng'' (太平) on the reverse of the coin and ''chóng zhēn tōng bǎo'' (崇禎通寶) on the obverse under the reign of the [[Chongzhen Emperor]]. During the [[Taiping Rebellion]] the [[Taiping Heavenly Kingdom]] issued coins (which were referred to as "holy coins") with the inscription ''tài píng tiān guó'' (太平天囯). Peace charms, which were unofficial privately cast coins that we were created due to the desire to wish for peace because of China's turbulent and often violent history, these charms were used on a daily basis throughout [[History of China|Chinese history]]. Under the [[Qing dynasty]] Chinese charms with the inscription ''tiān xià tài píng'' (天下太平) became a common sight, this phrase could be translated as "peace under heaven", "peace and tranquility under heaven", or "an empire at peace". Peace charms are also found to depict the twelve Chinese zodiacs and contain visual puns.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/peace.html |title= Peace Coins and Charms - 天下太平.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=6 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Charm.ru [http://www.charm.ru/charms/taipingtongbaocharm.shtml Tai Ping Tong Bao charm] by Vladimir Belyaev. Retrieved: 06 May 2018.</ref><ref>Amulette de Chine et du Vietnam by François Thierry, [[Paris]] 1987 (in [[French language|French]])</ref><ref>Dreamicus – Discover the meaning of your dreams [http://dreamicus.com/peace.html The meaning of the dream symbol: Peace]. Retrieved: 06 May 2018.</ref><ref>[http://charmstaiping.blogspot.nl/?m=1 Charms Taiping] Solek den rawat. Retrieved: 06 May 2018. (in [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]])</ref><ref>[http://www.ictunconference.com/an/an_ancient_peace.pdf Ancient chinese peace coins and charms, images and history of ancient chinese coins and charms displaying peace (tai ping)]. Retrieved: 06 May 2018.</ref><ref>Springer Link [https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-981-10-1793-3_9 Lucky Charms from the Ming and the Qing Dynasties] by Jian Hui. First Online: 10 December 2016. Retrieved: 06 May 2018.</ref> During the Qing dynasty a ''tài píng tōng bǎo'' (太平通寶){{efn|This was an official inscription on a government cast cash coin during the [[Northern Song dynasty]].}} peace charm was created that had additional characters and symbolism at the rim of the coin, on the left and right sides of the charm the characters {{linktext|吉}} and {{linktext|祥}} which can be translated as "good fortune", while on the reverse side the characters ''rú yì'' (如意, “as you wish”) are located at the top and bottom of the rim. When these four characters are combined they read ''rú yì jí xiáng'' which is translated as “good fortune according to your wishes”, this is a popular expression in China. This charm is notably very rare in its design due to the fact that it has what the Chinese refer to as a “double rim” (重輪), this feature is only rarely found in Chinese cash coins and charms and can be described as having a circular and thin rim surrounding the broad outer rim, further than that this specific charm also has an additional inscription in the recessed area of the rim, an example of a contemporary Chinese cash coin which had these features would be a 100 [[Chinese cash (currency unit)|cash]] xianfeng zhongbao (咸豐重寶) coin. On the reverse side of this Manchu Qing dynasty era charm are a multitude of inscriptions that have auspicious meanings such as ''qū xié qiǎn shà'' (驅邪遣煞, “expel and strike dead evil influences”), tassels and swords which represent a symbolic victory of good over evil, two bats which is a visual pun as the Chinese word for bat is similar to the Chinese word for happiness and the additional inscription of ''dāng wàn'' (當卍, “Value Ten Thousand”) this is supposedly the symbolic denomination of this numismatic charm or “coin”.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2012/11/18/qing-dynasty-peace-charm/|title= Qing Dynasty Peace Charm.|date=18 November 2012|accessdate=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Ma Ding Xiang - Tai Ping Tian Guo Quan Bi (T'ai-p'ing coins & charms), 1994 – 2nd Edition. (in [[Mandarin Chinese]])</ref> === Tiger Hour charms === '''Tiger Hour charms''' are Chinese numismatic charms modelled after the [[Northern Zhou dynasty]] ''wǔ xíng dà bù'' (五行大布, “Large Coin of the Five Elements”) cash coins,{{efn|It is very common for Chinese numismatic charms to adopt the calligraphy used on this coin.}} but rather than having a square hole tiger hour charms tend to have a round one. Additionally on the reverse of these coins they feature the inscription ''yín shí'' (寅時) which is a reference to the [[Shichen]] of the tiger or the "tiger hour" and they feature an image of a [[tiger]] and a "lucky" cloud.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2012/05/22/tiger-hour-charm/|title= Tiger Hour Charm.|date=22 May 2012|accessdate=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> === Chinese burial coins === {{Seealso|Hell money}} Chinese '''burial coins''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 瘞錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 瘗钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''yì qián'') or '''dark coins''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 冥錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 冥钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''míng qián'') are Chinese imitations of currency that are placed in the grave of a person that is to be burried. The practice dates back to the [[Shang dynasty]] when [[cowrie shell]]s were used, superstitions around this practice imply that the money would be used in the [[afterlife]] and be used as a bribe to [[Yan Wang]] who would then give a more favourable destination regarding for the spirit of the deceased. As the practice of burying money with the dead attracted [[grave robber]]s the practice changed to replace real money with replica currency as any representation of money could be used in the afterlife, these coins and other imitation currencies were referred to as ''clay money'' (泥錢) or ''earthenware money'' (陶土幣). Clay versions of what the Chinese refer to as "low currency" (下幣) shch as cowrie shells, [[Ban Liang]], Wu Zhu, Daquan Wuzhu, Tang dynasty [[Kaiyuan Tongbao]], Song dynasty Chong Ni Zhong Bao, Liao dynasty Tian Chao Wan Shun, Bao Ning Tong Bao, Da Kang Tong Bao, Jurchen Jin dynasty Da Ding Tong Bao, and Qing dynasty Qian Long Tong Bao cash coins have been found in Chinese graves. Imitations of gold and silver "high currency" (上幣) are also known to appear in some Chinese graves, Clay versions of the [[Chu (state)|Kingdom of Chu's]] ''gold plate money'' (泥｢郢稱｣(楚國黃金貨)), yuan jin (爰金), Silk funerary money (絲織品做的冥幣), gold pie money (陶質”金餅”), and other cake-shaped objects (冥器) have all been found in Chinese graves from various periods. Today clay imitations of currency are no longer used but has been replaced by [[Joss paper]], which is burned rather than buried with the deceased subjects.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2015/03/20/chinese-burial-money/|title= Chinese Burial Money.|date=20 March 2015|accessdate=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2716538/2-100-year-old-kings-mausoleum-discovered-China-Tombs-contain-treasures-including-chariots-afterlife.html|title= Chinese king's mausoleum unearthed: 2,100-year-old tomb found filled with 10,000 treasures - including rare coins, chariots and even a jade coffin.|date=5 August 2014|accessdate=15 May 2018|work= Sarah Griffiths (for MailOnline)|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.thoughtco.com/chinese-funeral-traditions-687456|title= Chinese Funeral Traditions.|date=23 April 2018|accessdate=15 May 2018|work= Lauren Mack (for ThoughtCo.)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Nations Online [http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/joss_paper.htm Joss Paper]. Joss Paper, also known as ghost or spirit money, are sheets of paper that are burned in traditional Chinese deity or ancestor worship ceremonies during special holidays. Joss paper is also burned in traditional Chinese funerals. Retrieved: 15 May 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/lavish-tomb-buried-for-2100-years-with-gold-and-treasure-discovered-in-china-9648755.html|title= Lavish tomb buried for 2,100 years with gold and treasure discovered in China - Liu Fei, ruler of Jiangdu Kingdom, was left with every comfort for the afterlife.|date=5 August 2014|accessdate=15 May 2018|work= Lizzie Dearden (for [[The Independent]])|language=en}}</ref><ref>Ann Paludan - Chinese Tomb Figurines (Images of Asia) - ISBN-13: 978-0195858174, ISBN-10: 0195858174.</ref><ref>Asian Art - Providing for the Afterlife: “Brilliant Artifacts” from [[Shandong]]. [http://www.asianart.com/exhibitions/shandong/7b.html Banliang coins - Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) - Bronze - Diam. (average) 2.3 cm - Collection of Shandong Provincial Museum (cat. #18A)]. Retrieved: 15 May 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5648549|title= King's 2,100-Year-Old Mausoleum, Vast Trove Of Artifacts Discovered In China.|date=6 December 2017|accessdate=15 May 2018|work= Owen Jarus – LiveScience (for the [[Huffpost|Huffington Post]])|language=en}}</ref> === Chinese "Laid to Rest" burial charms === Chinese '''"Laid to Rest" burial charms''' are [[bronze]] Chinese funerary charms or coins usually found in graves, they measure from 2.4 to 2.45 centimeters in diameter and have a thickness of 1.3 to 1.4 millimeters, they contain the obverse inscription ''rù tǔ wéi ān'' (入土为安) which means “to be laid to rest”, while the reverses of these coins are blank. These coins were mostly found in graves dating from the late Qing dynasty period but one of these coins was found in a coin hoard of Northern Song dynasty coins. the ''wéi'' is written using a simplified Chinese character ({{linktext|为}}) rather than the traditional Chinese version of the character ({{linktext|為}}). Due to many [[taboo]]s these coins are excluded from numismatic reference books on either Chinese coinage or charms and amulets, in fact on many [[Internet forum|online coin forums]] it is not uncommon for Chinese commenters to state that they find these coins as either "horrifying" or "scary" due to the fact that they were put into the mouths of dead people and that these coins ought to be "thrown away because they are unlucky", for these reason these funerary charms tend to be extremely unwanted among collectors which explains their exclusion from reference books.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2015/05/25/chinese-laid-to-rest-burial-charm/|title= Chinese "Laid to Rest" Burial Charm.|date=25 May 2015|accessdate=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Jibi.net [http://www.jibi.net/News/zpsx/8_30_21_768.html 用于陪葬的铜钱]。发布日期: 10-04-07 08:30:21 泉友社区 新闻来源:新民晚报 作者: Retrieved: 15 May 2018. (in [[Mandarin Chinese]] using [[Simplified Chinese characters]])</ref>997788 [http://m.997788.com/pr/detail_auction.php?d=793&id=8829155 入土为安] 。 成交时间： 2015-12-27 09:38:41. Retrieved: 15 May 2018. (in [[Mandarin Chinese]] using [[Simplified Chinese characters]])</ref><ref>[欣赏] 很少见的花钱—入土为安 [http://bbs.chcoin.com/show-8763222.html?from=mobi 陪葬钱] 。 楼主 发表于2015-05-24 14:16:29 只看该作者 Retrieved: 15 May 2018. (in [[Mandarin Chinese]] using [[Simplified Chinese characters]])</ref> === Little shoe charms === '''Little shoe charms''' are Chinese charms based on the fact that shoes were associated with fertility and that the Chinese feminine ideal of small feet, which in Confucianism is associated with giving females a more narrow vagina, something the ancient Chinese saw as a sexually desirable trait and enable her to give birth to more male offspring, this was usually accomplished by [[Footbinding|binding a girl's feet from a young age]]. Little girls would hang these little shoe charms over their beds in the hope that they will help them find love. Chinese little shoe charms tend to be around an inch long. Shoes are also associated with wealth because their shape is similar to that of a [[sycee]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/05/05/little-shoe-charms-to-find-love/|title= Little Shoe Charms to Find Love.|date=5 May 2011|accessdate=11 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> === Chinese football charms === During the Song dynasty there were Chinese numismatic charms cast that depict people playing the sport [[football]], these charms display four images of football players in varying positions around the square hole in the middle of the coin, the reverse side of the coin depicts a dragon and a phoenix which are the traditional symbols representing men and women possibly indicating the unisex nature of the sport.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/07/17/chinese-football-charm-2/|title= Chinese Football Charm.|date=17 June 2011|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>#112 (2011) of “China Numismatics” (中國錢幣).</ref> === Chinese cash coins with charm features === Some [[Cash (Chinese coin)|Chinese cash coins]] were known to display features commonly seen in Chinese numismatic charms, Chinese coins with charm features have been created over two thousand years ago with the early [[Ban Liang]] and Wu Zhu cash coins, and when the first Chinese charms started appearing during the [[Han dynasty]] these coins were already commonplace. Many government issued cash coins and other currencies such as Spade and Knife money that did not have any extra charm-like features were considered to also have “charm-like qualities” and were treated as charms by some people. The Wang Mang era [[Knife money|Knife coin]] with a nominal value of 5,000 cash coins was often seen as a charm by the people because the character {{linktext|千}} (or 1000) is written very similar to the character {{linktext|子}} which means "son" so the inscription of the Knife coin could be read as "worth five sons" as this was very much desired in ancient Chinese society. A coin from [[Shu Han]] with the nominal value of 100 Wu Zhu cash coins featured a fish on the reverse of the inscription which symbolises "abundance" and "perseverance" in [[Culture of China|Chinese culture]]. Another Shu Han era coin contained the inscription of Tai Ping Bai Qian which was taken as an omen of peace and this coin is often considered to be a peace charm. During the [[Jin dynasty (265–420)|Jin dynasty]] a coin was issued with the inscription ''fēng huò'' (豐貨) which could be translated as "(the) coin of abundance" and it was believed by the people at the time that if someone would possess this coin that this would be economically beneficial for them which is why this coin is commonly referred to as the "cash of riches" in popular tongue.<ref>Moore, Ed. - Introduction to the Cash Coins of China, 1996.</ref><ref>Remmelts, A.A. - Chinesische Käschmünzen. (in [[German language|German]])</ref> During the [[Tang dynasty]] period images of clouds, crescents, and stars were often added on coins which the Chinese continued to use in subsequent dynasties. During the [[Jurchen people|Jurchen]] [[Jin dynasty (1115–1234)|Jin dynasty]] coins were cast with reverse inscriptions that featured characters from the twelve earthly branches and ten heavenly stems. During the [[Ming dynasty]] stars were sometimes used decoratively on some official government produced cash coins. Under the [[Manchu people|Manchu]] [[Qing dynasty]] ''yōng zhèng tōng bǎo'' (雍正通寶) cash coins cast by the [[Lanzhou]] Mint were considered to be charms or amulets capable of warding off evil spirits and demons because the Manchu word "gung" looked similar to the [[broadsword]] used by the Chinese [[God of War]], [[Emperor Guan]]. The commemorative ''kāng xī tōng bǎo'' (康熙通寶) cast for the [[Kangxi Emperor]]'s 60th birthday in the year 1713 was believed to have "the powers of a charm" immediately when it entered circulation, this commemorative coin vontains a slightly different version of the Hanzi symbol "{{linktext|熙}}", at the bottom of the cash, as this character would most commonly have a vertical line at the left part of it but did not have it, and the part of this symbol which was usually inscripted as "{{linktext|臣}}" has the middle part written as a "{{linktext|口}}" instead. Notably, the upper left area of the symbol "{{linktext|通}}" only contains a single dot as opposed of the usual two dots used during this era. Several myths were attributed to this coin over the following three-hundred years since it has been cast such as the myth that the coin was cast from molten down golden statues of the 18 disciples of the [[Buddha]] which earned this coin the nicknames "the Lohan coin" and "Arhat money". These commemorative ''kāng xī tōng bǎo'' cash coins were given to children as ''yā suì qián'' (壓歲錢) during [[Chinese new year]], some women wore them akin to how an [[engagement ring]] is worn today, and in rural [[Shanxi]] young men wore this special ''kāng xī tōng bǎo'' cash coin between their teeth like men from cities had [[Gold tooth|golden teeth]]. Despite the myths surrounding this coin I was made from a [[copper-alloy]] and did not contain any gold but it was not uncommon for people to enhance the coin with [[gold leaf]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/charmfeatures.html|title= Chinese Coins with Charm Features.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=8 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Calgary Coin & Antique Gallery [http://www.calgarycoin.com/reference/china/china8.htm Cast Chinese Coins – The Ch’ing Dynasty - Section: Emperor SHENG TSU AD 1662-1722. reign title: K'ANG-HSI, AD 1662-1722]. Retrieved: 08 May 2018. Copyright © 1997 - 2015 - R & T Enterprises Ltd.</ref><ref>Docplayer.net [http://docplayer.net/23894247-An-introduction-and-identification-guide-to-chinese-qing-dynasty-coins.html An introduction and identification guide to Chinese Qing-dynasty coins]. Retrieved: 08 May 2018.</ref><ref>Anythinganywhere.com [http://www.anythinganywhere.com/commerce/coins/coinpics/chin-qing.htm CHINA, coins of the Qing dynasty, 1644-1911 AD]. Retrieved: 08 May 2018.</ref><ref>Cong Hanxiang (從翰香),　Xie Hangsheng (謝杭生) (1992). "Zhiqian (制錢)", in Zhongguo da baike quanshu (中國大百科全書), Zhongguo lishi (中國歷史) ([[Beijing]]/[[Shanghai]]: Zhongguo da baike quanshu chubanshe), Vol. 3, 1535. (in [[Mandarin Chinese]] using [[Traditional Chinese characters]]).</ref><ref>” AN INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE COIN-LIKE CHARMS” by Dr. F. A. Turk of [[Cornwall]], United Kingdom.</ref><ref>Hong Xi Wan Qian Ji (Curio Coin Collection) 344p, 1986</ref><ref>Kainz, C. Chinesischen Tempelmünzen 72pp, 1895R1974 (in [[German language|German]])</ref> === Chinese marriage and sex education charms === '''Chinese marriage charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 夫婦和合花錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 夫妇和合花钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''fū fù hé hé huā qián''), also known as ''"secret play" coins'' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 秘戲錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 秘戏钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''mì xì qián''), ''"secret fun" coins'', ''"hide (evade) the fire (of lust) coins"'' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 避火錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 避火钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''bì huǒ qián''), ''Chinese marriage coins'', ''Chinese love coins'', ''Chinese spring money'' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 春錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 春钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''chūn qián''), ''Chinese erotic coins'', ''Chinese wedding coins'' and many other names, are Chinese numismatic charms or amulets that depict scenes of [[sexual intercourse]] in [[Sex position|various positions]] to illustrate how the newlywed couple should perform on their wedding night to meet their responsibilities and obligations to their family and Chinese society to produce children, [[Date palm|dates]] and [[peanut]]s symbolising the wish for reproduction, [[lotus seed]]s symbolising "continuous births", [[chestnut]]s symbolising male offspring, [[pomegranate]]s symbolising fertility, brans symbolising sons that will be successful, "dragon and phoenix" candles, cypress leaves, Qilins, [[bronze mirror]]s, shoes, saddles, and other things associated traditional [[Chinese wedding]]s. The name "spring money" is a reference to an ancient Chinese ritual where girls and boys would sing romantic music to each other from across a stream that is still practised by [[Ethnic groups of China|various minorities]] today. Sex acts were traditionally only scarcely depicted in [[Chinese art]] but stone carvings from the Han dynasty showcasing sexual intercourse were found and bronze mirrors with various sexual themes were common during the [[Tang dynasty]], it was also during the Tang dynasty that coins graphically depicting sex started being produced. Chinese love charms often have the inscription "wind, flowers, snow and moon" (風花雪月) which is an obscure verse referring to a happy and frivolous setting, although every individual character might also be used to identify a Chinese goddess or the "Seven Fairy Maidens" (七仙女). Other Chinese wedding charms often have inscriptions like ''fēng huā yí rén'' (風花宜人), ''míng huáng yù yǐng'' (明皇禦影), and ''lóng fèng chéng yàng'' (龍鳳呈樣).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/marriage.html |title= Chinese Marriage Charms - 夫婦和合花錢 - Background and History .|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=8 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Lockhart, J.H.S. Currency of the Farther East, V1: (Glover Collection, text) & V2: (illustrations) 223pp, 1895</ref><ref>Lu Zhenhai Zhongguo gudai yasheng qianpu (Catalog of Chinese Charms) 831p,1991 (in [[Mandarin Chinese]])</ref><ref>[http://portlandcoins.blogspot.nl/2011/12/coins-with-holes.html?m=1 World Coin Collecting The fun of collecting world coins], from Portland Coins. Saturday, December 17, 2011. Coins with Holes (Holed Coins). Retrieved: 09 May 2018.</ref><ref>Mandel, Edgar J. Chinese Charms and Amulets Phase II Plates 270p, 8Z\x x11”, 1975?R1995</ref><ref>I Ching Meditations[http://www.ichingmeditations.com/2010/04/11/are-these-i-ching-kama-sutra-coins/ Are these I Ching Kama Sutra coins?] Yesterday I received in the mail a gift from a friend in Berkeley California of what looks like a Chinese Kama Sutra coin. Retrieved: 09 May 2018.</ref> These charms could also be used in brothels where a man who would purchase the services of a [[Prostitution in China|prostitute]] but couldn't communicate in the local language would be able to simply point at the coin and communicate his desired sexual position to the prostitute.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-11-02/news/9204090466_1_coin-emperors-tokens|title= Q I have a Chinese coin with four figures in different sex acts on one side, and on the other side is Chinese writing or symbols. I've had this coin for more than 50 years. It is almost one-fourth inch thick and it appears to be bronze. Can you tell me something about it?|date=2 November 1992|accessdate=9 May 2018|work= By June M. Reinisch, Ph.D., United Feature Syndicate Inc. (for the [[Chicago Tribune]]). |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://shuangxingfu.blogspot.nl/2009/06/ancient-chinese-marriage-coins.html?m=1|title= ANCIENT CHINESE MARRIAGE COINS.|date=9 June 2009|accessdate=9 May 2018|work=By Miss Cheah (Xing Fu - 幸福). “I am just an ordinary Malaysian teacher who loves blogging and taking photographs.”|language=en}}</ref> Some Chinese marriage charms contain references to the famous 9th century poem [[Chang hen ge (poem)|Chang hen ge]], where characters are illustrated in four different sex positions and four Chinese characters representing the spring, wind, peaches, and plums.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/05/06/song-of-unending-sorrow-charm/ |title= "Song of Unending Sorrow" Charm.|date=6 May 2011|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> === Chinese pendant charms === '''Chinese pendant charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 掛牌; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 挂牌; [[Pinyin]]: ''guà pái'') are Chinese numismatic charms that are used as decorative [[pendant]]s. Around the beginning of the Han dynasty a large number of Chinese charms appeared to be produced and the Chinese people started to wear some types of Chinese numismatic charms around their necks or waists as pendants or attached these charms to the rafters of their houses, pagodas, temples and many other buildings as well as on [[Chinese lantern|lanterns]]. It is believed that open-work charms may have been the first Chinese charms that were used in this fashion. As time progressed many different types of Chinese charms were created and while some were worn on a daily basis others were exclusively used for specific rituals or holidays. Fish, lock, spade, and peach charms were all used to be worn on a daily basis and excluding the latter two were mostly worn by young children and infants. Some Han dynasty era charms contained inscriptions such as ri ru qian jin (日入千金, "may you earn a 1,000 gold everyday"), chu xiong qu yang (除凶去央, "do away with evil and dispel calamity"), bi bing mo dang (辟兵莫當, "avoid hostilities and ward off sickness"), or chang wu xiang wang (長毋相忘, "do not forget your friends"), while others mostly resembled contemporary cash coins with added dots and stars. Some pendant charms only contained a single loop while most others also had either a square or round hole in the centre. Some Chinese pendant charms contain the Hanzi character gua (挂) which translates as "to hang" in [[English language|English]], it is currently unknown why this extra character is added as these charms are always shapes like traditional pendants as the loops make them obvious to be hung somewhere or on someone. Although most pendant charms contain pictorial illustrations, the association of Chinese characters into new and mystical symbolic forms reached an even greater extreme when Taoists introduced "Taoist magic writing" (符文) where many Hanzi characters that were prominently featured on both Chinese cash coins and charms would become hidden symbolism.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/loopcharms.html|title= Chinese Pendant Charms - 挂牌.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=9 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Petit, Karl Talismans Monetiformes de Chine et du Japon. 184p, 1981 (in [[French language|French]])</ref><ref>Petit, Karl Amuletes & Talismans Monetiformes D'Extreme Orient. 88p, 1976. (in [[French language|French]])</ref><ref>Remmelts, A.A. Chinese Charms and Amulets. 94pp, 1968.</ref><ref> Anderson Galleries Inc. - A Collection of Old Chinese Jewelry and Objects of Art: Beautiful Necklaces, Pendants, Bracelets, &C. In Jade, Agate, Rose-Quartz, Amber, Turquoise, ... in Crystal, Ivory and Jade (Classic Reprint).</ref><ref> Anderson Galleries - Chinese Antiques, Fine Porcelains, Rare Carvings in Ivory, Jade, Agate, Rock Crystal, Lapis Lazuli and Amber, Necklaces, Pendants, Ornaments in Carved Hangings, Rugs; Carved Chinese Har.</ref> === Chinese "World of Brightness" coins === During the late Qing dynasty the traditional cast coinage was slowly being replaced by [[Milled coinage|machine-struck coinage]], one of the first provincial mints to adopt machines for striking milled coinage was the [[Guangzhou]] Mint of the province of [[Guangdong]], somewhere around this time machine-struck charms with the inscription ''guāng míng shì jiè'' (光明世界, "World of Brightness") started appearing that looked very similar to the contemporary milled ''guāng xù tōng bǎo'' (光緒通寶) cash coins. Currently numismatists haven't figured out either the meaning, purpose, or origin of these Chinese "World of Brightness" coins. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain both the meaning and usage of these coins, one hypotheses proposes that these coins were a form of [[hell money]] because it is thought that "World of Brightness" in this context would be a euphemism for "world of darkness" which is how the Chinese call death, another hypotheses suggests that these coins were [[Casino token|gambling token]]s, while another hypothesis has claimed that these coins used by the [[Heaven and Earth Society]] due to the fact that the Hanzi character ''míng'' (明) is a component of the name of the Ming dynasty (明朝), which meant that the inscription ''guāng míng'' (光明) could be read as "the glory of the Ming". There are 3 variations of the "World of Brightness" coin, the most common one contains the same Manchu characters on the reverse as the contemporary ''guāng xù tōng bǎo'' (光緒通寶) cash coins indicating that this coin was produced by the mint of Guangzhou, another version has the same inscription written on the reverse side of the coin, while a third variant has nine stars on the reverse aide of the coin.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/09/18/chinese-world-of-brightness-coin/|title= Chinese "World of Brightness" Coin.|date=18 September 2011|accessdate=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> === Chinese palindrome charms === '''Chinese palindrome charms''' are very rare Chinese numismatic charms that contain [[palindrome]]s and depict what in China is known as "palindromic poetry" (回文詩), in this form of poetry the sentenced produced aren't always palindromes but simply have to make sense when reading in either direction.<ref>The World of Chinese - [http://www.theworldofchinese.com/2013/04/su-hui-the-palindrome-poet/ Su Hui: The Palindrome Poet - Su Hui wrote unmatched poetry that can be read any way the reader desires]. Published: 04·03·2013. Author: Matthew Dubois. Retrieved: 16 May 2018.</ref><ref>Poetry China (Ocean of Poetry) [http://poetrychina.net/wp/welling-magazine/suhui Su Hui’s Star Gauge] by David Hinton. Published: February 2012. Retrieved: 16 May 2018.</ref> Because of their rarity Chinese palindrome charms are usually excluded from reference books on Chinese numismatic charms. A known example of a presumably Qing dynasty period Chinese palindrome charm reads "我笑他說我看他打我容他罵" ("I, laugh, he/she, talks, I, look, he/she, hits, I, am being tolerant, he/she, scolds") in this case the meaning of the words can be altered depending on how this inscription is read, as definitions may vary depending on the preceding [[pronoun]]. Due to the nature of this charm it could be read both clockwise and counter-clockwise which could change the entire meaning of a sentence if read. Due to the way this inscription was written it tells of two sides of a combatative relationship and could be read as representing either party. {| class="wikitable" |- ! [[Traditional Chinese]] !! [[Pinyin]] !! Translation |- | 笑他說我 || xiào tā shuō wǒ || Laugh at him/her scolding me. |- | 看他打我 || kàn tā dǎ wǒ || Look at him/her fight me. |- | 容他罵我 || róng tā mà wǒ || Be tolerant of him/her cursing me. |- | 我罵他容 || wǒ mà tā róng || I curse and he/she is tolerant. |- | 我打他看 || wǒ dǎ tā kàn || I fight and he/she watches. |- | 我說他笑 || wǒ shuō tā xiào || I speak and he/she laughs. |} The reverse side of this coin features images of thunder and clouds.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/09/20/chinese-palindrome-charm/|title= Chinese Palindrome Charm.|date=20 September 2011|accessdate=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> === "Cassia and Orchid" charms === '''"Cassia and Orchid" charms''' are extremely rare Chinese numismatic charms dating to the Manchu Qing dynasty with the inscription ''guì zi lán sūn'' (桂子蘭孫, "cassia seeds and orchid grandsons"), these charms use the Mandarin Chinese word for ''[[Cinnamomum cassia]]'' (桂, ''guì'') as a pun as it sounds similar to the Mandarin Chinese word for "honourable" (貴, ''guì'') while the word for seed is also a [[homonym]] for son. The Mandarin Chinese word for [[orchid]] (蘭, ''lán'') in this context refers to ''zhī lán'' (芝蘭 , "of noble character") which in this context means "noble grandsons". The inscription on the reverse side of this charm reads ''róng huá fù guì'' (榮華富貴, "high position and great wealth") describing a traditional Chinese family's wish to produce sons and grandsons who would pass the imperial examination and attain a great rank as a mandarin.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/10/24/cassia-and-orchid-charm/|title= "Cassia and Orchid" Charm.|date=24 October 2011 |accessdate=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dfsc.com.cn/2011/1020/49437.html|title= 精美白铜吉语花钱赏析 - 2011-10-20 14:06:57 作者：安徽望江 宋康年 来源：收藏快报 浏览次数：483 网友评论 0 条。|date=20 October 2011|accessdate=15 May 2018|work= “The Oriental Collection” (dongfang shoucang, 东方收藏)|language=zh}}</ref> === Confucian charms === Confucian charms are Chinese numismatic charms that depict the traditions, rituals, and moral code of [[Confucianism]] such as [[filial piety]] and "righteousness". Examples of Confucian charms would include a charm that depicts [[Shenzi]] carrying firewood on a should pole, open-work charms depicting stories from "The Twenty-Four Examples of Filial Piety" (二十四孝), the "five relationships" (五倫), Meng Zong kneeling besides bamboo, Dong Yong (a Han dynasty era man) working a hoe to earn money for his sick father after the death of his mother, Wang Xiang with a fishingpole, as well as coins with inscriptions such as ''fù cí zǐ xiào'' (父慈子孝, "the father is kind and the son is filial") read clockwise, ''yí chū fèi fǔ'' (義出肺腑, "righteousness comes from the bottom of one's heart"), ''zhōng jūn xiào qīn'' (忠君孝親, "be loyal to the sovereign and honor one's parents"), ''huā è shuāng huī'' (花萼雙輝, "petals and sepals both shine"), and ''jìng xiōng ài dì'' (敬兄愛第, "revere older brothers and love younger brothers").<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/confucian.html#jing_xiong_ai_di|title= Confucian Charms - Introduction to Confucius and Confucianism.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=9 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/confucius/ Confucius]. - First published Wed Jul 3, 2002; substantive revision Sat Mar 23, 2013. Retrieved: 09 May 2018 (Wednesday).</ref><ref> ReligionFacts - Just the facts on religion. [http://www.religionfacts.com/confucianism/symbols Symbols of Confucianism]. Published: March 18, 2014. Last Updated: February 1, 2017. Retrieved: 09 May 2018.</ref><ref>Britannica.com [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Confucianism Confucianism]. Written By: Tu Weiming. Retrieved: 09 May 2018.</ref><ref>philosophy.lander.edu (Philosophy 312: Oriental Philosophy. – [http://philosophy.lander.edu/oriental/main.html Main Concepts of Confucianism]. Abstract: The main concepts of Confucianism are discussed. Retrieved: 09 May 2018.</ref><ref>Classroom.Synonym.com - Home » Classroom. [https://classroom.synonym.com/major-beliefs-symbols-confucianism-3070.html Major Beliefs & Symbols of Confucianism] By Ricky Andromeda. Retrieved: 09 May 2018.</ref><ref>Language Log – [http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=19349 "Double Happiness": symbol of Confucianism as a religion]. June 8, 2015 @ 6:45 pm · Filed by Victor Mair under Language and culture, Language and religion. Retrieved: 09 May 2018.</ref><ref>Robertsjamesreese.com [https://robertjamesreese.com/essays/filial-piety-in-chinese-religion Filial Piety in Chinese Religion] by Robert James Reese, 2003. Retrieved: 09 May 2018.</ref><ref>Schjöth, Frederick - Chinese Currency: The Currency of the Far East.</ref><ref>Yu Liuliang et al. Zhongguo Huaqian (Chinese Amulet Coins) 509p, 1992. (in [[Mandarin Chinese]])</ref><ref>Bartleby - Home Page - Free Essays - Confucianism and Filial Piety in Chinese Culture Essay examples – [https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Confucianism-and-Filial-Piety-in-Chinese-Culture-P3JUZE43TC Confucianism and Filial Piety in Chinese Culture Essay examples]. 2916 Words Mar 24th, 2011 12 Pages by Duc Hoang & Professor Sandra Lee (IQS 125). Retrieved: 09 May 2018.</ref> === Men Plow, Women Weave charms === '''Men Plow, Women Weave charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 男耕女織錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 男耕女织钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''nán gēng nǚ zhī qián'') are Chinese numismatic charms depicting scenes related to the production of [[rice]] and [[sericulture]]. Men Plow, Women Weave charms can feature inscriptions such as ''tián cán wàn bèi'' (田蠶萬倍, "may your (rice) fields and silkworms increase 10,000 times") and may have images of a [[spotted deer]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/silkworm.html |title= Men Plow, Women Weave - 男耕女織 - Charms related to Rice and Silkworm Production.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=9 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Zhengjian [http://www.zhengjian.org/node/25383 男耕女织] 笑梅【正见网2004年01月16日】Retrieved: 09 May 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.pureinsight.org/node/2152 |title= The Men Plow and the Women Weave - Xiao Mei - PureInsight on April 5, 2004.|date=5 April 2004|accessdate=9 May 2018|work=PureInsight |language=en}}</ref> === Chinese money trees === {{Main|Money tree (myth)}} '''Chinese money trees''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 搖錢樹; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 摇钱树; [[Pinyin]]: ''yáo qián shù'') are Chinese numismatic charms shaped like [[tree]]s with their leaves made out of replicas of cash coins, these money trees should should not be with ''coin trees'' which are a by-product of [[Cash (Chinese coin)#Later methods of manufacture|the manufacture of cash coins]], but due to their similarities it is thought by some experts they may have been related. Various legends from China dating to as early as the [[Three Kingdoms period]] mention a tree that if shaken would cause coins to fall off of its branches, and money trees as a charm have been found in [[Southwest China|Southwest Chinese]] tombs from the Han dynasty and later, where they are believed to have been placed there to help guide the dead to the afterlife and provide them with monetary support. According to one myth the origin of the money tree was that an old gray-haired man gave a farmer a special seed and then commanded the farmer to water the seed every day with his own sweat until the seed would sprout and then water it with his blood and after the tree had grown the farmer found out that if he would shake the tree that cash coins would fall out and that this effect was indefinite as the cash coins would grow back after every time which caused the farmer to become rich and the money tree would become an eternal source of wealth, this story was originally thought up to support the moral that one can only become wealthy through their own toil with their own sweat and blood. Literary sources claim that the actual origin of the money tree lies in the fact that the Chinese word for "[[copper]]" (銅, ''tóng'') is pronounced similar to the word for "the [[Paulownia]] tree" (桐, ''tóng''). The leaves of the Paulownia cash coins and become yellow during the [[Autumn]] causing them to physically look like either gold or bronze cash coins. [[Chen Shou]] (陳壽) mentions in the "[[Records of the Three Kingdoms]]" that a man named Bing Yuan (邴原) walked upon a string of cash coins while strolling and incapable of discovering the owner hung it up in a nearby tree, as other passerby's noticed this string they also began hanging coins up in the tree with the assumption that it was a holy tree and made wishes for wealth and luck. The earliest money trees however date back to the Han dynasty in present-day [[Sichuan]] where at the time a Taoist religious order named the [[Way of the Five Pecks of Rice]], the money trees uncovered by archeologists have been known to be as tall as 198 centimeters, other than being decorated with many strings of cash coins these money trees were also decorated with little bronze dogs, bats, Chinese deities, elephants, deer, phoenixes, and dragons and had a foundation made from pottery but a body made from bronze. Both the inscriptions and calligraphy found on Chinese money trees match those of contemporary Chinese cash coins and those from the Han dynasty typically featured replicas of Wu Zhu (五銖) coins while those from the three kingdoms period had inscriptions such as Liang Zhu (兩銖).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/moneytree.html|title= Chinese Money Trees. - 搖錢樹。|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=10 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Chinaflowers.net [https://chinaflowers.net/blog/chinese-money-tree.html#com-head What is Chinese Money Tree]. - Sep 7th, 2011 @ 03:53 pm › flowers - [https://chinaflowers.net/blog/chinese-money-tree.html#com-head ↓ Skip to comments]. Some Interesting Information About the Chinese Money Tree. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.</ref><ref>Asian Art [http://education.asianart.org/explore-resources/artwork/money-tree-probably-100-200 Money Tree, probably 100–200]. China; probably Sichuan province. Eastern Han dynasty (25–220). Bronze with glazed earthenware base. Gift of the Connoisseur’s Council, 1995.79. English - 00:00 - 01:59 - Resource Type: Artwork Region: China - Topic: Art Conservation, Looking at Art, Beliefs - Grade Level: Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College and Beyond – Academic - Subject: Visual/Performing Arts, World Languages, Art History. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.</ref><ref>wiseGEEK: [http://m.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-money-tree-plant.htm What is a Money Tree Plant?] Retrieved: 10 May 2018.</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.dia.org/exhibitions/tao/resource_art/pdf/china_money_tree.pdf|title=Money Tree|publisher=Dia.org|accessdate=2013-08-11|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222015246/http://www.dia.org/exhibitions/tao/resource_art/pdf/china_money_tree.pdf|archivedate=2012-02-22}}</ref> === Taoist Charms === '''Taoist charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 道教品壓生錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 道教品压生钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''dào jiào pǐn yā shēng qián'') are Chinese numismatic charms that contain inscriptions and images related to [[Taoism]]. As the people of [[Imperial China]] often believed that fortune both good and bad were the results of the spirits interfering with them they attempted to scare evil spirits away just as they would hostile humans. Since early history the Chinese had attributed magical powers and influence to Hanzi characters believing that certain characters could impact spirits, in fact the [[Huainanzi]] described that the spirits were horror-stricken of being commanded by the magical powers of the Hanzi characters which were used for amulets and charms, this is possibly due to the fact that the majority of the population of China was illiterate for most of its history. Many early Han dynasty charms and amulets were worn as pendants containing inscriptions requesting that people who were deified in the Taoist religion to lend them protection. Some Taoist charms contain inscriptions based on "Taoist magic writing" ([[Hanzi|Chinese]]: 符文, also known as ''Taoist magic script characters'', ''Taoist magic figures'', ''Taoist magic formulas'', ''Taoist secret talismanic writing'', and ''Talismanic characters'') which is a secret writing style. The "Records of the Divine Talismans of the Three Grottoes" (三洞神符紀) attribute the origin of Taoist "magic writing" to clouds condensing, the technique of learning Taoist "magic writing" is passed down from Taoist priests to their students and differ from Taoist sect to Taoist sect, these characters are composed of twisted strokes that at times may look like Hanzi characters. The secrecy of Taoist "magic writing" made many people to think that Chinese charms and amulets that contained them would have more effect in controlling the will of the spirits. As the majority of these Chinese charms asked [[Leigong|the Taoist God of Thunder]] to kill the evil spirits or bogies, these numismatic charms are often called to ''"Lei Ting" charms'' (雷霆錢) or ''"Lei Ting curse" charms''. As imperial decrees had absolute authority this proliferated the myth that the general populace held that Hanzi characters were somehow magical which in turn inspired Chinese charms and amulets to take the forms of imperial decrees. Many Taoist charms and amulets read as if it were by a high rank official commanding the evil spirits and bogies with inscriptions such as "let it (the command) be executed as fast as Lu Ling."{{efn|Lu Ling was an ancient Chinese runner.}}, "quickly, quickly, this is an order", and "(pay) respect (to) this command". Taoist charms and amulets can contain either square holes and round ones, many Taoist amulets and charms contain images of [[Liu Haichan]], [[Zhenwu (god)|Zhenwu]], the Bagua, Yin Yang symbols, constellations, [[Laozi]], swords, bats, and immortals.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/daoist.html|title= Daoist (Taoist) Charms - 道教品壓生錢 - Introduction and History of Daoist Charms.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=10 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>South China Morning Post – [http://m.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2102955/hong-kongs-taoist-funerals-superstition-symbolism-and-how-stop-your-soul Hong Kong’s Taoist funerals: the superstition, symbolism and how to stop your soul being dragged into the coffin. From swordplay to sweet treats, few Chinese funeral traditions are as involved as a Taoist ceremony. We find out how to ward off evil entities and guarantee a peaceful afterlife for the deceased] by Heidi Ng. UPDATED : Wednesday, 19 Jul 2017, 7:25PM. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.</ref><ref>TAOISTSECRET.COM [http://www.taoistsecret.com/taoist.html Taoist Talismans]. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.</ref><ref>Anything Anywhere - CHINA, amulets. [http://www.anythinganywhere.com/commerce/coins/coinpics/chin-amulets1.htm Chinese culture is permeated, no, based on poetic allusion, hidden meanings, union of opposites, complex currents of energy and intention. In certain contexts these bases can express in rank superstition (present in all human cultures), and in others can lead to scientific advancement]. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.</ref><ref>University of Idaho - [http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~rfrey/116Taoist_gods_and_goddesses.htm Gods and Goddesses of Religious Daoism]. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.</ref><ref>Chinese Mythology - A Blog on Chinese Mythology. [http://chinesemythology.blogspot.nl/2009/11/chinese-god-of-thunder.html?m=1 Chinese God of Thunder - Lei Gong] by Feng Shui Trader. Published: Monday, November 23, 2009. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.</ref> During the Song dynasty a number of Taoist charms depicting the “Quest for Longevity” were cast, these Taoist charms contain images of an immortal, incense burner, crane, and a tortoise on the obverse and Taoist "magic writing" on the reverse. Taoist charms containing the quest for immortality are quite a common motiph and reproductions of this charm were commonly made after the Song period.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/05/08/quest-for-longevity-daoist-charm/|title= "Quest for Longevity" Daoist Charm.|date=8 May 2011|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> Some Taoist charms from the Qing dynasty contain images of [[Lü Dongbin]] with the inscription ''fú yòu dà dì'' (孚佑大帝, “Great Emperor of Trustworthy Protection”), this charm notably contains a round hole rather than a square one as is typical of most Chinese numismatic charms.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2015/10/07/lu-dongbin-charm/|title= Lu Dongbin Charm.|date=7 October 2016|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>[http://bbs.sssc.cn/viewthread.php?tid=2987492&extra=page%3D1 孚佑大帝（浮雕）] [复制链接] - 晓南风 - 从九品上.中下县主簿 - 147 - 帖子 – 12 - 关注 - 11 - 粉丝 - 电梯直达 - 楼主 - 发表于 2013-11-4 10:41:42 |只看该作者 |倒序浏览 信誉 3 / 粟米 728.78 / 恶评 0 / 不满 0 / 帖子 147 / 精华 0 / 在线 670 小时 / 注册 2008-9-28 Retrieved: 13 May 2018. (in [[Mandarin Chinese]] using [[Simplified Chinese characters]])</ref> A Taoist charm from either the [[Jin dynasty (1115–1234)|Jin]] or [[Yuan dynasty]] without any written text shows what is commonly believed to be either a "boy under a pine tree" (松下童子) or a "boy worshipping an immortal" (童子拜仙人), but there’s an alternative hypothesis that this charm depicts a meeting between [[Laozi]] and [[Zhang Daoling]], this hypothesis is based on the fact that the figure supposedly representing Zhang Daoling is carrying a cane which in [[Mandarin Chinese]] is a [[homophone]] for Zhang. On the reverse side of the charm are the twelve Chinese zodiacs, each zodiac is in a circle surrounded by what in the Chinese numismatic charms world is referred to as "auspicious clouds" which number eight as this is considered a "lucky" number in China.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/10/30/laozi-and-zhang-daoling-charm/|title= Laozi and Zhang Daoling Charm.|date=30 October 2011|accessdate=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref> === Chinese charms with coin inscriptions === '''Chinese charms with coin inscriptions''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 錢文錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 钱文钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''qián wén qián'') were Chinese numismatic charms that used the contemporary inscriptions of circulating Chinese cash coins, these types of charms have a large overlap with other categories of Chinese charms and amulets but use the official inscriptions of government cast coinage due to the mythical association of Hanzi characters and magical powers as well as the cultural respect for the authority of the government which gave more credence to government decrees and orders including those on coins, for this reason even regular cash coins have had been attributed supernatural qualities in various cultural phenomenon such as folk tales and [[Feng shui]]. Various official coin inscriptions already have very auspicious meanings which is also why these inscriptions were selected to be used on Chinese numismatic charms and amulets, during times of crisis and disunity such as under the reign of [[Wang Mang]] the number of charms with coin inscriptions seem to increase enormously.<ref>White, R.B. - Finding List of Chinese Cash - cross-reference to Schjöth, Ding, Coole & others.</ref><ref>Smith, Ward - East Asian Cash Coins: An Identification Guide - Annamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, 1973.</ref><ref>Staack, Herbert - Münzaufschriften Pinyin - Nien-hao conversions to Pin-yin; mint list, 1988. (in [[German language|German]])</ref> Meanwhile other Chinese cash coin inscriptions were selected due to a perceived force in the metal used in the casting of these contemporary cash coins, an example would be the [[Later Zhou dynasty]] era ''zhōu yuán tōng bǎo'' (周元通寶) charm based on cash coins with the same inscription. Even long after the fall of the [[Xin dynasty]] charms with inscriptions from [[Ancient Chinese coinage#Wang Mang|Wang Mang era coinage]], and charms were produced with inscriptions like the [[Northern Zhou dynasty|Northern Zhou era]] ''wǔ xíng dà bù'' (五行大布) because it could be translated as "5 elements coin", the [[Later Zhou dynasty]]'s ''zhōu yuán tōng bǎo'' (周元通寶), the [[Song dynasty]] era ''tài píng tōng bǎo'' (太平通寶), the [[Khitan people|Khitan]] [[Liao dynasty]] era ''qiān qiū wàn suì'' (千秋萬歲, "thousand autumns and ten thousand years"), as well as the [[Jurchen people|Jurchen]] [[Jin dynasty]] era ''tài hé zhòng bǎo'' (泰和重寶). Northern Song dynasty era charms may have been based on actual Mother coins that were used to produce the official cash coins produced by the government but were given different reverses to make them into charms.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.charm.ru/charms/sung-charms.shtml|title= Chinese charms with Northern Song dynasty legends.|date=3 December 2000|accessdate=12 May 2018|work= by Vladimir Belyaev (Charm.ru)|language=en}}</ref><ref>'Coins in the collection of the Shanghai Museum. Coins of the Song, Liao, Jin and Western Xia dynasties.', Shanghai, 1994.</ref> During the [[Ming dynasty]] there were Chinese charms based on the ''hóng wǔ tōng bǎo'' (洪武通寶) with an image of a a boy (or possible the Emperor) riding either an [[ox]] or [[water buffalo]], this charm became very popular as the first Emperor of the Ming dynasty was born as a peasant and spent his early life as one and eventually attained the title of Emperor which inspired many people that they could also do great things despite their lowly birth. There were also a large number of Chinese numismatic charms cast with the reign title Zheng De (正德通寶), despite the government having deprecated cash coins for [[paper money]] at the time and these charms were often given to children as gifts.<ref>Sportstune.com [http://sportstune.com/chinese/charms/1/chengte/chengtePD.html Section 1.83: "Charms with coin inscriptions: Cheng Te T'ung Pao"] by John Ferguson. Retrieved: 12 May 2018.</ref> During the [[Manchu people|Manchu]] [[Qing dynasty]] a charm was cast with the inscription ''qián lóng tōng bǎo'' (乾隆通寶), but was fairly larger and had the ''tōng bǎo'' (通寶) part of the cash coin written in a slightly different style as well as had the [[Manchu script|Manchu characters]] on its reverse indicating its [[Qing dynasty coinage#Mint marks|place of origin]] rotated 90 degrees. Some charms were also made to resemble the briefly cast ''qí xiáng zhòng bǎo'' (祺祥重寶) cash coins. Later charms were made to resemble the ''guāng xù tōng bǎo'' (光緒通寶) cast under the [[Guangxu Emperor]] but had ''dīng cái guì shòu'' (丁財貴壽, "May you acquire wealth, honor (high rank) and longevity") written on the reverse side of the coin.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/coinlegend.html|title= Chinese Charms with Coin Inscriptions – 錢文錢。|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=12 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Sportstune.com [http://sportstune.com/chinese/charms/1/kuanghsu.html Section 1.101: "Charms with coin inscriptions: Kuang Hsu T'ung Pao"] by John Ferguson. Retrieved: 11 May 2018.</ref><ref>Fang, Alex Chengyu - Chinese Charms: Art, Religion and Folk Belief (2008)</ref><ref>Cribb, Joseph - Chinese Coin Shaped Charms (1986).</ref><ref>Yu Jiming - Zhongguo Huaqian Tujian (Illustrated Critical Catalogue of Chinese Charms), 2nd edition (1997). (in [[Mandarin Chinese]])</ref><ref>Grundmann, Horst - Amulette Chinas und seiner Nachbarländer (2003). (in [[German language|German]])</ref><ref>Chen, Hong Xi Wan Qian Ji (Curio Coin Collection), 1986 ([[English language|English]] translation).</ref> === Ming dynasty cloisonné charms === '''Ming dynasty cloisonné charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 明代景泰藍花錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 明代景泰蓝花钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''míng dài jǐng tài lán huā qián'') are extremely scarce Chinese numismatic charms made from [[cloisonné]] rather than [[brass]] or bronze which is used for the majority of charms and amulets from China, or silver which was used during the late [[Chinese empire|imperial period]]. A known cloisonné charm from the Ming dynasty has the inscription ''nā mó ē mí tuó fó'' (南無阿彌陀佛 , "I put my trust in Amitābha Buddha"), there are various cloured lotus blossoms between the Hanzi characters, each colour represents something different while the white lotus symbolises the earth's womb from which everything is born, this was also the symbol of the Ming dynasty itself. Another known Ming dynasty era cloisonné charm has the inscription ''wàn lì nián zhì'' (萬歷年制, "Made during the (reign) of [[Wanli Emperor|Wan Li]]") and the eight Buddhist treasure symbols impressed between the Hanzi characters, these Buddhist treasure symbols are the [[umbrella]], the [[conch shell]], the flaming wheel, the [[endless knot]], a pair of fish, the treasure vase,{{efn|Also known as "the urn of wisdom".}} the [[lotus]], and the Victory Banner.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2014/11/23/ming-dynasty-cloisonne-charm/|title= Ming Dynasty Cloisonne Charm.|date=23 November 2014|accessdate=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>ReligionFacts - Just the facts on religion. [http://www.religionfacts.com/conch-shell Buddhist Conch Shell Symbol]. (Sanskrit: shankha; Tibetan: dung dkar) Retrieved: 15 May 2018.</ref><ref>ReligionFacts - Just the facts on religion. [http://www.religionfacts.com/victory-banner Victory Banner Symbol]. Retrieved: 15 May 2018.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://mobile.nytimes.com/2011/02/18/arts/design/18cloisonne.html|title= When Enamel Wares Adorned China's Imperial Courts|date=17 February 2011|accessdate=15 May 2018|work= Ken Johnson (for [[The Bew York Times]])|language=en}}</ref> === Chinese charms with musicians, dancers, and acrobats === '''Chinese charms with "barbarian" musicians, dancers, and acrobats''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 胡人樂舞雜伎錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 胡人乐舞杂伎钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''hú rén yuè wǔ zá jì qián'') appeared during either the Khitan [[Liao dynasty|Liao]] or the Chinese [[Song dynasty]] new Chinese numismatic charms appeared that featured "barbarians" as musicians, dancers, and acrobats. These charms generally depict four individuals of which one is doing an acrobatic stunt such as the [[handstand]] while all others are playing various musical instruments; one of which is a four string instrument which might possibly be a [[ruan]], another plays the [[flute]], and the other plays on musical instrument known as the [[wooden fish]]. Despite the fact that most numismatic catalogues refer to these charms as depicting "barbarians" or Huren (胡人, literally "bearded people") the characters depicted on these charms notably have no beards. The reverse side of these charms depict four children or babies playing and enjoying themselves which is a common feature for Liao dynasty charms, above these babies is a person resembling a baby that appears to ride on something.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2015/07/14/chinese-charm-with-musicians-dancers-and-acrobat/|title= Chinese Charm with Musicians, Dancers and Acrobats.|date=14 July 2015|accessdate=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Lu Zhenhai - Zhongguo gudai yasheng qianpu (Catalog of Chinese Charms) About 1800+ pieces by chapter: 1) Coin inscrip, 2) Good luck inscrip, 3) Zodiac, 4) Buddhist, 5) Daoist, 6) Horse, 7) Mythical (folklore) figures, 8) Openworks, 9) Odd shapes, 10) Misc., 11) Han dynasty (grater & lotus root), 12) Erotic. (in [[Mandarin Chinese]])</ref><ref>Mandel, Edgar - Metal Charms & Amulets of China.</ref><ref>Petit, Karl - Amuletes & Talismans Monetiformes D'Extreme Orient, 1976. (in [[French language|French]])</ref> === Chinese treasure bowl charms === Chinese '''treasure bowl charms''' are Chinese numismatic charms that feature references to the mythical ''treasure bowl'' (聚寶盆) which would usually grant unending wealth to those who hold it but may also be responsible for great sorrow. These charms are pendants with an image of the mythical treasure bowl filled with various treasures from the [[eight treasures]] on one side and the inscription ''píng ān jí qìng'' (平安吉慶, "Peace and Happiness") on the other. The loops of these charms are a dragon and the string would be placed between the legs and the tail of the dragon, while at the bottom of these charms is the dragon's head looking upwards.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/12/01/chinese-treasure-bowl-charm/|title= Chinese Treasure Bowl Charm.|date=1 December 2011|accessdate=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Cribb, Joseph - Magic Coins of Java, Bali and the Malay Peninsula, 1999.</ref> === Chinese poem coins === {{Seealso|Qing dynasty coinage#Chinese mint marks|Chinese poetry|Qing poetry}} '''Chinese poem coins''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 詩錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 诗钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''shī qián'', alternatively 二十錢局名) were Chinese cash coins cast under the [[Kangxi Emperor]], a Manchu Emperor known for his Chinese poetry skills and wrote the work "Illustrations of Plowing and Weaving" (耕織圖) in 1696. Under the Kangxi Emperor 23 mints operated at various times with many closing and reopening, the coins produced under the Kangxi Emperor all had the obverse inscription ''Kāng Xī Tōng Bǎo'' (康熙通寶) and had the [[Manchu script|Manchu character]] {{ManchuSibeUnicode|ᠪᠣᠣ}} (''Boo'', building) written on the left side of the square hole and the name of the mint in Chinese on the right. As the name Kangxi was composed of the characters meaning "health" ({{linktext|康}}) and "prosperous" ({{linktext|熙}}) the ''Kāng Xī Tōng Bǎo'' cash coins were already viewed as having auspicious properties by the Chinese people. As the ''Kāng Xī Tōng Bǎo'' cash coins were produced at various mints some people placed these coins together to form poems, even though many of these poems did not have any meaning they were composed in adherence to the rules of [[Classical Chinese poetry]]. These coins were always placed together to form the following poems: {| class="wikitable" |- ! [[Traditional Chinese]] !! [[Pinyin]] |- | 同福臨東江 || tóng fú lín dōng jiāng |- | 宣原蘇薊昌 || xuān yuán sū jì chāng |- | 南寧河廣浙 || nán níng hé guǎng zhè |- | 台桂陝雲漳 || tái guì shǎn yún zhāng |} According to an old Chinese superstition the strung "charm" of twenty coins also known as "set coins" (套子錢) only worked if all coins were genuine and this could be tested by placing them on a chicken-coop and if the cocks did not crow during the early morning. As carrying twenty coins together was seen as less than convenient new charms were being produced that had the ten of the twenty mint marks on each side of the coin, these charms tend to have round holes in the middle and are also round in shape. Sometimes they were painted red as the colour red is viewed to be auspicious in Chinese culture. Sometimes these coins had obverse inscriptions wishing for good fortunes and the twenty mint marks on their reverse, these inscriptions include: {| class="wikitable" |- ! [[Traditional Chinese]] !! Translation |- | 金玉滿堂 || "may gold and jade fill your halls." |- | 大位高升 || "may you be promoted to a high position." |- | 五子登科 || "may your five sons achieve great success in the imperial examinations." |- | 福祿壽喜 || "good fortune, emolument (official salary), longevity, and happiness." |- | 吉祥如意 || "may your good fortune be according to your wishes." |} ''Kāng Xī Tōng Bǎo'' cash coins produced at the Board of Revenue and the Board of Works in the capital city of [[Beijing]] are excluded from these poems.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/poemcoin.html|title= Chinese Poem Coins - 二十錢局名 - Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=12 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Highstrangeness.tv (A visit with a person of high strangeness) [http://www.highstrangeness.tv/0-30176-300yearold-chinese-coin-found-in-yukon.html 300-Year-Old Chinese Coin Found in Yukon]. - Coin from Qing Dynasty found on old First Nations trade route. - This coin found in Yukon on the historic Dyea to Fort Selkirk trade route was minted between 1667 and 1671 during China’s Qing Dynasty. (James Mooney/Ecofor Consulting Ltd). Retrieved: 12 May 2018.</ref><ref>Sportstune.com [http://www.sportstune.com/chinese/coins/kanghsi/kanghsipoem.html Kang Hsi Poem] by John Ferguson. Retrieved: 12 May 2018.</ref><ref> FORVM ANCIENT COINS (To the glory that was Greece - And the grandeur that was Rome) [http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=2806 Home > Members' Coin Collection Galleries > Stkp > CHINA QING DYNASTY: Kangxi (1662-1722)]. Retrieved: 12 May 2018.</ref><ref>Casino Mining [https://casinomining.com/_resources/Epoch%20Times_coin_story.pdf 300-Year-Old Chinese Coin Found in North of Canada] By Joan Delaney On October 30, 2011 @ 9:36 pm In North America | No Comments. Retrieved: 12 May 2018.</ref><ref>Global News [https://globalnews.ca/news/187836/archeologist-discovers-chinese-coin-from-1600s-in-yukon-wilderness/ Archeologist discovers Chinese coin from 1600s in Yukon wilderness] By Max Leighton for the Whitehorse Star. Published: 09 December 2011. Retrieved: 12 May 2018.</ref><ref>Cresswell, O.D. - Chinese Cash.</ref><ref>Jorgensen, Holger - Old Coins of China: A Guide to Their Identirfication Beginner catalog of 394 types with reduced hand drawings.</ref><ref>Petit, Karl - Essai sur la Numismatique Chinoise, 1974 (in [[French language|French]])</ref> === Buddhist charms and temple coins === '''Buddhist charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 佛教品壓勝錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 佛教品压胜钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''fó jiào pǐn yā shēng qián'') are Chinese numismatic charms that display [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] symbols of mostly [[Mahayana Buddhism]]. These charms can have inscriptions in both [[Hanzi|Chinese]] and [[Sanskrit]],<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/09/03/chinese-buddhist-charm-with-sanskrit-characters/|title= Chinese Buddhist Charm with Sanskrit Characters.|date=3 September 2011|accessdate=12 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>北京翰海拍卖有限公司 [http://www.hanhai.net/newshhxw.php/?pkid=3034 Sanskrit charm]. (in [[Mandarin Chinese]] using [[Simplified Chinese characters]])</ref> these charms generally contain blessings from the [[Amitābha Buddha]] such as coins with the inscription ''ē mí tuó fó'' (阿彌陀佛). Temple coins often had inscriptions calling for compassion and requesting for the Buddha to protect the holder of the coin, most temple coins tend to be diminutive in size, some temple coins contan mantras from the [[Heart Sūtra]]. Some Buddhist charms are pendants dedicated to the [[Bodhisattva]] [[Guanyin]], many contain the image of a [[lotus]] which is traditionally associated with the Buddha, and [[cooking banana]]s associated with Vanavasa. Less commonly some Buddhist charms also contain Taoist symbolism including the Taoist "magic writing" secret script. There are Buddhist charms based on the Ming dynasty era ''[[Ming dynasty coinage|hóng wǔ tōng bǎo]]'' (洪武通寶) but larger. ==== Japanese Buddhist charms in China ==== The Buddhist ''qiě kōng cáng qì'' (且空藏棄) [[Japanese numismatic charm]] cast during the years 1736-1740 in [[Japan]] during the [[Tokugawa shogunate]] dedicated to the [[Ākāśagarbha Bodhisattva]] based on one of the favourite mantras of [[Kūkai]] is frequently found in China. Ākāśagarbha one of the 8 immortals who attempts to free people from the cycle of [[reincarnation]] with compassion. These coins were brought to China in large numbers by Japanese Buddhist monks, another Japanese Buddhist charm frequently found in China has the inscription ''nā mó ē mí tuó fó'' (南無阿彌陀佛, "I put my trust in (the) Amitābha Buddha").<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/buddhist.html|title= Buddhist Charms - 佛教品壓勝錢 - Buddhism in China.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=12 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>The Language and Iconography of Chinese Charms - Chapter "Temple coins of the Yuan Dynasty" pp 149-161 Date: 10 December 2016 [https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-10-1793-3_8?no-access=true Temple Coins of the Yuan Dynasty.] Vladimir A. Belyaev , Sergey V. Sidorovich. Retrieved = 14 June 2017.</ref><ref>Chinese Buddhist Encyclopedia [http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php/Buddhist_Symbols Buddhist Symbols]. Retrieved: 12 May 2018.</ref> === Chinese Boy charms === '''Chinese Boy charms''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 童子連錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 童子连钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''tóng zǐ lián qián'') are Chinese numismatic charms that depict images of boys in the hope that these charms would cause more boys to be born in the family of the holder, they usually have a eyelet to br carried, hung, or worn. As the traditional ideal for a Chinese family was to have five sons and only two daughters boys were the preferred sex, this was because of a multitude of factors including but not limited to the fact that males are to carry out the Confucian ideal of filial piety, performing ancestor worship and continuing the family line, as well take care of their parents when they grow up. Many families hoped that at least one of their sons would be succeed to pass the imperial examination system and attain the honourable rank of [[Mandarin (bureaucrat)|Mandarin]]. Often the boys depicted on Chinese boy charms were in a position of reverence, and these little statuettes of boys are found on top of traditional Chinese numismatic charm designs, these charms are more commonly found in [[Southern China]]. Some boy charms contain inscriptions like ''tóng zǐ lián qián'' (童子連錢) which connect male offspring to monetary wealth, boy statuettes belonging to boy charms can also be found on top of open-work charms. Some boy charms contain images of lotus seeds because the Chinese word for lotus sounds similar to "continuous" wishing for continuous amount of sons being born.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/boycharm.html|title= Chinese Boy Charms – 童子連錢。|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Keith N. Knapp - Selfless Offspring: Filial Children and Social Order in Medieval China. Publisher: University of Hawaii Press. Publication date: September 30, 2005.</ref><ref>Thomehfang [http://www.thomehfang.com/suncrates5/xiaodao.html FILIAL PIETY AND CHINESE CULTURE] by Joseph S. Wu. Retrieved: 13 May 2018.</ref><ref>[ https://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.bing.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1001&context=ancient_world Women, Gender and Family in Chinese History] by Kitty Lam. Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. Retrieved: 13 May 2018.</ref> === Chinese astronomy coins === {{Seealso|Chinese astronomy}} Chinese '''astronomy coins''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 天象錢; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 天象钱; [[Pinyin]]: ''tiān xiàng qián'') are Chinese numismatic charms that depict star constellations, individual stars, as well as other astronomical objects from ancient Chinese astronomy, they may additionally also contain texts from the [[Classic of Poetry]], the Four Divine Creatures and the Twenty-Eight Mansions, as well as illustrations from the story ''the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl''. Astronomy coins usually contain guideposts to differentiate the different stars and constellations on coins, the constellations are divided into four cardinal directions equal to the [[wind direction]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/astronomy.html |title= Chinese Astronomy Coins – 天象錢。|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>IDP [http://idp.bl.uk/4DCGI/education/astronomy/sky.html The Chinese Sky]. Retrieved: 13 May 2018.</ref><ref>Ancient Chinese Astronomy - Explorable [https://explorable.com/printpdf/chinese-astronomy 28 Mansions of the Chinese Astronomy] (Creative Commons [1] As a result, the Chinese developed an extensive system of the zodiac designed to help guide. Retrieved: 13 May 2018.</ref> === House charms === Chinese '''house charms''' refer to Chinese numismatic charms and amulets placed within a house to bring good fortune to the place, or to balance the house according to Feng shui, these charms date back as early as the [[Han dynasty]]. As ancient Chinese people believed that they needed assistance from spirts and gods to gain wealth, male offspring, and protection from evil spirits and demonic entities these house charms were placed in houses as early as during the construction of the place, they were also placed in temples and many other types of buildings. Many traditional Chinese houses tend to display images of the [[menshen]]. Some buildings were built with a "foundation stone" (石敢當) based on the [[Mount Tai]] in [[Shandong]] that had the inscription ''tài shān zài cǐ'' (泰山在此, "Mount Tai is here") or ''tài shān shí gǎn dāng'' (泰山石敢當, "the stone of Mount Tai dares to resist"), ridgepoles in Chinese buildings are usually painted red and are decorated with red paper, cloth banners, and Bagua charms. Many Chinese house charms are small bronze statues of bearded old men assigned to protect the house from evil spirits, the God of War, [[Zhong Kui]] (鍾馗), and the "Polar Diety". Five poison charms are often used to scare away unwanted human visitors as well as actual pets depicted on these charms such spiders and snakes. House charms tend to have inscriptions inviting good fortune into the home like ''cháng mìng fù guì'' (長命富貴, "longevity, wealth and honor"), ''fú shòu tóng tiān'' (福壽同天, "good fortune and longevity on the same day"), ''zhāo cái jìn bǎo'' (招財進寶, "attracts wealth and treasure"), ''sì jì píng ān'' (四季平安) which means "peace for the four seasons"), ''wǔ fú pěng shòu'' (五福捧壽, "five fortunes surround longevity"), ''shàng tiān yán hǎo shì'' (上天言好事, "ascend to heaven and speak of good deeds"), and ''huí gōng jiàng jí xiáng'' (回宮降吉祥, "return to your palace and bring good fortune").<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/house.html|title= The Chinese House, Good Fortune and Harmony with Nature.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.thespruce.com/popular-chinese-good-luck-charms-used-in-feng-shui-1274935|title= Popular Chinese Good Luck Charms Used in Feng Shui.|date=12 June 2017|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= By Rodika Tchi (for The Spruce).|language=en}}</ref><ref>Ilovetoknow – [https://feng-shui.lovetoknow.com/A_List_of_Good_Luck_Charms A List of Good Luck Charms] By Sally Painter (Feng Shui Practitioner). Retrieved: 13 May 2018.</ref> == Chinese Numismatic Charms Museum == On February 1, 2015 a '''Chinese Numismatic Charms Museum''' ([[Traditional Chinese]]: 中國古代民俗錢幣博物館; [[Simplified Chinese]]: 中国古代民俗钱币博物馆; [[Pinyin]]: ''zhōng guó gǔ dài mín sú qián bì bó wù guǎn'') was opened in the [[Hainan]]ese city of [[Haikuo]], this museum is located in a building that is a replica of the Szechuan Kanting Civilian Commercial Bank in [[Movie Town Haikou]] and has exhibition areas that cover around 530 square meters. The collection of the Chinese Numismatic Charms Museum contains both Chinese coins and paper money and has more than two thousand Chinese numismatic charms from the [[Han dynasty]] until the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2015/02/13/chinese-numismatic-charms-museum/ |title= Chinese Numismatic Charms Museum.|date=13 February 2015|accessdate=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.360doc.cn/article/11548039_445588142.html |title= 钱币圈贺中国古代民俗钱币博物馆开业。|date=1 February 2015|accessdate=14 May 2018|work=360doc.cn |language=en}}</ref> == Charms from ethnic minorities == === Liao dynasty charms === [[File:103 20100911 bt shanghai museum (4986590217).jpg|thumb|left|A Liao dynasty period charm on display at the [[Shanghai Museum]].]] '''Liao dynasty charms''' are Chinese numismatic charms produced during the [[Khitan people|Khitan]] [[Liao dynasty]] that are written in [[Khitan script]] and unlike [[Liao dynasty coinage|Liao dynasty coins]] were read counter-clockwise, these charms are rare and because Khitan script hasn't been completely deciphered yet aren’t fully understood by modern exports.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/08/30/liao-dynasty-charm/|title= Liao Dynasty Charm.|date=11 August 2011|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Chinese Coinage Website (Charms.ru) [http://www.charm.ru/coins/misc/kidanscriptcash.shtml The Liao Dynasty Cash Coin with Kidan Inscription.] Vladimir A. Belyaev, Published: Last updated: 18 June 2002 Retrieved: 13 May 2018.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | author=Sun Jimin (孫繼民) | title=內蒙古剋什剋騰旗發現契丹大字金銀錢 | journal=Kaogu 考古 | issn=0453-2899 | year=1994 | issue=2 | page=179 }}</ref> Though some Liao dynasty era charms had Khitan script inscriptions others had no inscriptions at all, as the Khitan people may have interpreted certain symbols differently from the Chinese it's currently not well understood what most of these charms represented, as charms from the Liao dynasty are rare not much research has been conducted into them. One of the most well known Liao dynasty charms is the "Mother of Nine Sons" charm, this charm is fully pictorial and has no inscription, the charm has three groups which each consist of three people which are believed to be the sons of the woman riding a dragon on the other side, the three groups are believed to symbolise the three different levels of the imperial examination system. A more recent hypothesis claimed that the person riding the dragon is actually the [[Yellow Emperor]] returning to the heavens and that the people represent the [[Names of China|“Nine Provinces”]] (九州).<ref>Pei Yuan Bo (裴元博) – 3rd issue of “Inner Mongolia Financial Research” (内蒙古金融研究), 2004. (in [[Mandarin Chinese]])</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2012/03/30/liao-dynasty-mother-of-nine-sons-charm/|title= Liao Dynasty "Mother of Nine Sons" Charm.|date=30 March 2012|accessdate=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>1st issue of the journal of the Inner Mongolia Numismatic Society (内蒙古金融研究), 2002. (in [[Mandarin Chinese]])</ref><ref>辽西夏金元四朝货币图录精选。 (in [[Mandarin Chinese]])</ref> === Charms of the Sui people === There are Chinese numismatic charms produced by the [[Sui people]] of [[Guizhou]]. In 2004 a Sui coin was discovered dating to the Northern Song dynasty produced between 1008 and 1016, this coin had the inscription ''dà zhōng xiáng fú'' (大中祥符) on one side and the word "wealth" written in [[Sui language#Script|Sui script]] on the other side, as this is the only known coin produced by the Sui people it established that they don't have a numismatic tradition like the [[Han Chinese]] have, however several numismatic charms attributed to the Sui people from the [[Sandu Shui Autonomous County]] such as a charm depicting male and female [[Chinese dragon|dragons]] (being transformed from fish) on the obverse and the twelve Chinese zodiacs and the twelve earthly branches written in Sui script on the reverse. Unlike Chinese charms Sui charms differentiate between male and female dragons by showing [[Penis|male genitalia]] on the male dragon, this seems to be a common feature for male dragons on numismatic charms by neighbouring ethnic groups from the same region.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2013/06/01/coins-and-charms-of-the-shui-nationality/|title= Coins and Charms of the Shui Nationality.|date=1 June 2013|accessdate=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref><ref>Pan Chaolin (潘朝霖) - Guizhou University for Nationalities (贵州民族学院).</ref><ref>Qi Geng [http://qigeng.blog.sohu.com/112428613.html 贵州水族的古老文字和待解之迷]。2009-03-17 11:20. Retrieved: 14 May 2018. (in [[Mandarin Chinese]] using [[Simplified Chinese characters]])</ref> == Notes == {{Notes}} == References == <references/> == External links == {{Commonscatinline|Chinese numismatic charms}} * [http://special.artxun.com/show/zhuanti74/ Yansheng coins in ancient China] <nowiki>{{Chinese currency and coinage}}

Category:Currencies of China Category:Amulets

External links (old, for comparison)

Media related to Chinese numismatic charms at Wikimedia Commons

• Yansheng coins in ancient China

{{coin-stub}} </nowiki> {{Chinese currency and coinage}}

[[:Category:Currencies of China]] .

Expansion process (and notes)

This is not a part of the article.

I will use Gary Ashkenazy's Primaltrek / Primal Trek for "the skeleton" of the article as that website simply contains a myriad of information covering this subject and will look for other sources after I've integrated all information from that website, this is also how I wrote articles like Western Xia coinage, Etc. After this I will look for additional sources to expand upon to not make the article depend too much upon a single source.

I have to add this information here because how I write Chinese coinage-related articles is radically different from how I write other articles which usually use a more wide variety of sources or have their own "standard sources" (such as Dr. Luke Roberts from the University of California at Santa Barbara for Japanese and Ryukyuan coins or Sema's Art-Hanoi for Vietnamese coins).

Further note: Ironically I have to drop Vladimir Belyaev's "Charm.ru" website as "a major source" because despite its name it contains very little actual information on Chinese numismatic charms and mostly just contains images with short stories and even Gary Ashkenazy's Primaltrek / Primal Trek contains more (and more detailed) images, so I will have to further my search before launch.

Importing process

As the majority of Gary Ashkenazy's Primaltrek / Primal Trek turns out to be mostly images with description the majority of these texts actually describes these images so I will have to "cut ✂" out the usable text from the image descriptions, Gary Ashkenazy's Primaltrek / Primal Trek would probably be a way better fit for Wikimedia Commons, but the OTRS ticket 🎟 will have to be processed first.

Types of Chinese charms to import/write about

From "Primal Trek Blog on Chinese Charms". Conpletely  Done.

• Zodiac Charms  Done.

• Good Luck Charms  Done.

• Gourd Charms  Done.

• Eight Treasure Charms  Done.

• Liu Hai and Golden Toad Charms  Done.

• Bagua or Eight Trigram Charms  Done.

• Open Work Charms  Done.

• 24 Character Charms  Done.

• Chinese Chess Pieces  Done.

• No Character Charms  Not done.

• Spade Charms  Done.

• Lock Charms  Done.

• Five Poison Charms  Done.

• Horse Coins  Done. (see also: Horse coin)

• Fish Charms  Done.

• Peach Charms  Done.

• Peace Charms  Done.

• Coins with Charm Features  Done.

• Ancient Coins with Charm Symbols  Done

• Marriage Charms {& Sex education Charms/Coins.}  Done.

• Pendant Charms  Done.

• Confucian Charms  Done.

• Men Plow, Women Weave  Done.

• Daoist (Taoist) Charms  Done.

• Unknown Charms  Not done, information is a page requesting people to help identify Chinese numismatic charms, can't be integrates into this article as it only raises questions and gives no answers.

• Chinese Tokens  Done (See: Chinese token).

• Charms with Coin Inscriptions  Done.

• Poem Coins  Done.

• Buddhist Charms  Done.

• Boy Charms  Done.

• Bamboo Tallies.  Done (see Bamboo tally.)

• Astronomy Coins  Done.

• Money Trees  Done at Cash (Chinese coin), I was wrong, there are two types of Chinese "Money Trees". Now it's actually  Done. (see also: Money tree (myth).)

• House Charms  Done.

Added from Gary Ashkenazy's Primaltreks / Primal Trek'z blog (Primal Trek - A journey through Chinese culture):

• Vault Protector coins  Done.

• Zheng Lu Bridge Tokens  Done.

After an initial assessment these will be added on the fly. --Donald Trung (talk) 20:38, 12 May 2018 (UTC)

"PrimalSource"

May 2018

<ref>{{cite web|url= |title= |date=16 November 2016|accessdate= May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref>

(BLANK)

<ref>{{cite web|url= |title= |date=|accessdate= May 2018|work= |language=en}}</ref>

April 2018

<ref>{{cite web|url= |title= |date=16 November 2016|accessdate= April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref>

Adding this here "for convenience" (basically because I'm too lazy, easier to copy into the draft(s.).).

March 2018

Copied from my Microsoft Outlook mobile e-mail client.

"<ref>{{cite web|url= |title= |date=16 November 2016|accessdate= March 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}</ref>

Sent 📩 from my Microsoft Lumia 950 XL with Microsoft Windows 10 Mobile 📱."

When drafting large imports from Gary Ashkenazy's Primaltrek / Primal Trek that requires multiple articles from that website I always create an e-mail message addressed to myself either called "Primalsource" or "PrimalSource" to copy and paste from and use free last date that the website was updated as the reference date. As I am too busy with other projects I prefer not to keep this "dummy-e-mail" on my cell.-phone so I will paste it here and will copy-and-paste from it as I need it as this project might take a lot longer than I would want it to be, but as "completing" this article would essentially mean that I've imported all non-image related information from Gary Ashkenazy's Primaltrek / Primal Trek into Wikipedia and that 75% of the website covers this subject it is expected to be a project of quite a long time.

--Donald Trung (talk) 18:46, 29 March 2018 (UTC)

Why I don't use the term "Yansheng Coin" in my expansion

• User:Donald Trung/Yansheng Coin/Why I don't use the term "Yansheng Coin" in the content I add

Status of the expansion

•  On hold to work on other projects, draft remains in my e-mail inbox provisionally until I've imported every article from Gary Ashkenazy's Primaltrek / Primal Trek, and have added sufficient material from other sources to not make the article too dependent on a single source, I will focus on Vietnamese cash coins from the Tự Đức era for the time being. --Donald Trung (talk) 09:32, 15 April 2018 (UTC)

• Ongoing, still in the initial phase of importing, though I've found a number of French and English language sources that cover this topic. --Donald Trung (talk) 00:41, 18 April 2018 (UTC)

•  On hold, temporarily suspended due to King's Day festivities, various other offline factors also cone into play, but I will continue working on importing all the information from Gary Ashkenazy's Primaltrek / Primal Trek after these things have resolved. Currently also contacting various uploaders from the Zeno Oriental Coinage Database (Zeno.ru) for permission to be sent to the Wikimedia Commons OTRS team to import more images of Chinese charms. --Donald Trung (talk) 12:24, 26 April 2018 (UTC)

• Ongoing. --Donald Trung (talk) 21:54, 28 April 2018 (UTC)

• Reminder add a link to the page Qing poetry to the "Chinese poem coins" section. --Donald Trung (talk) 19:14, 12 May 2018 (UTC)  Done. --Donald Trung (talk) 11:12, 16 May 2018 (UTC)

•  On hold, to WP:SPLIT Chinese token into a separate article due to general incompatibilities, tokens (despite having charm-/amulet-attributes) can't be considered to be Chinese numismatic charms. --Donald Trung (talk) 11:03, 13 May 2018 (UTC)

• Ongoing, WP:SPLIT completed, see User:Donald Trung/Jiangsu tokens. --Donald Trung (talk) 11:40, 13 May 2018 (UTC)

• The initial phase is as good as  Done, now it's time to start importing the Primaltrek / Primal Trek blog by Gary Ashkenazy. The new categories of Chinese numismatic charms are currently stored on Microsoft Outlook as "16Done" containing 16 new types, and "14Done2(-2)" with 12 new types as two types were moved to Chinese token, and "House4" with a draft to improve the Hanzi characters in "House5". The second phase will be commenced momentarily and may add a fairly large number of (minor) categories/types of Chinese numismatic charms and/or amulets. --Donald Trung (talk) 13:08, 13 May 2018 (UTC)

• Nearly done with the re-wording process, only four articles (or "blog posts") left, on the current schedule this will be completed tomorrow. --Donald Trung (talk) 20:31, 15 May 2018 (UTC)

• I am now completely  Done with the re-wording process, preparing for migration to Wikipedia, decided to also do a part on the hidden meanings and symbols found in these charms but will launch the rest first. --Donald Trung (talk) 09:31, 16 May 2018 (UTC)

•  Done. --Donald Trung (talk) 11:12, 16 May 2018 (UTC)

Redirects

• User:Donald Trung/Yansheng Coin/Redirects.