What does token mean?

Token is a common instrument in Taoist ritual vessels. The Taoist token originated from the tiger symbol used by the ancient army in China to give orders.

In the ideological system of Taoism, in the ritual activities of implementing the Five Thunder Buddhism, whether publishing articles, playing Taoist documents to the gods, praying for sunshine and rain, wind and snow, exorcising ghosts and evil spirits, sending spells to treat diseases, and sending messages to officials, the mage must use tokens to give orders. If not, there will be no proclamation, God will not act according to family laws, and officials and soldiers concerned will not purge their orders.

Since ancient times, the "token" has been one of the secrets and has never been made public. The person who owns the "token" must be the exorcist, and the "token" is graded, depending on which palace and school it belongs to, which is very different.

Extended data:

Instrument specification

Taoist keepsakes are mostly made of wood or metal, rectangular and blocky, with figures and characters carved or cast on all six sides. There are pictures and texts of five thunder tokens in Qing Lingbao Dacheng in Ming Dynasty.

There is a dragon blade carved on the front of the picture, and a thunderous rune cloud on the back: the right token, which was struck by lightning from jujube wood, is five inches long, two inches wide and five minutes thick. Choose an auspicious day, make it according to the formula, announce 28 names around and fill in the tips. Taoist priests often slam tokens on the altar to represent gods or celestial masters, issue orders, call on the gods to send envoys, or come to the altar, or escort the dead, or exorcise evil spirits.

Taoist practice requires that God must use "tokens". This token applies to all laws. "Token" is equivalent to the "key lock" of driving, which is equivalent to the general law. When God calls the general, please arch the "token", tie the "token" with both hands or cranes, or put it in the account, otherwise the general God will have to listen to the order three times.