Chinese numismatic charm

The formal name for these coins, and the word's pronunciation was Yasheng coin or money ({{lang-zh |first=t | t=押胜钱| s=压胜钱| hp=yā shèng qián| links=no}}), but in common modern usage Yansheng is the widely accepted pronunciation and spelling.

Yansheng coins are also known as "flower coins" or "patterned coins" ({{lang-zh |first=t | t=花錢| s=花钱| hp=huā qián| links=no}}). They are alternatively referred to as "play coins" (wanqian, 玩钱) in China. Historically, the term "Yansheng coins" was more popular, but in modern China and Taiwan the term "flower coins" has become the more common name.LinkSpringer [https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-981-10-1793-3_9 Lucky Charms from the Ming and the Qing Dynasties]. Author: Jian Hu (Shenzhen Municipal Government, Shenzhen, China). Translated by Mao Yue-hao (毛越浩). First Online: 10 December 2016. Retrieved: 22 June 2018.

{{See also|Cash (Chinese coin)#Cash coins and superstitions}}

Yansheng coins first appeared during the Western Han dynasty as superstitious objects to communicate with the dead, to pray for favorable wishes, to terrify ghosts, or to use as lucky money.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the imperial government issued coins for national festivals or ceremonies such as the emperor's birthday. It was common for the emperor's sixtieth birthday to be celebrated by issuing a charm with the inscription Wanshou Tongbao (萬夀通寶), because 60 years symbolizes a complete cycle of the 10 heavenly stems and the 12 earthly branches.{{cite web|url= http://www.transasiart.com/Numismatique/numismatique_vietnam/letrunghung/nvnlth04b.htm|title= Vạn Thọ thông bảo 萬夀通寶 de Cảnh Hưng 景興 (1774).|date=14 September 2015|access-date=6 July 2018|work= François Thierry de Crussol (TransAsiart)|language=fr}}Albert Schroeder, Annam, Études numismatiques, n°589. (in French)

In the case of these coins, "charm" in this context is a catchall term for coin-shaped items which were not official (or counterfeit) money.{{cite web|url= http://roberts.faculty.history.ucsb.edu/coins/Charms.html|title= Charms.|date=24 October 2003|access-date=19 April 2020|work= Dr. Luke Roberts at the Department of History – University of California at Santa Barbara |language=en}} However, these numismatic objects were not all necessarily considered "magical" or "lucky", as some of these Chinese numismatic charms can be used as "mnemonic coins". The term is further used to identify a number of gambling tokens that were based on Chinese cash coins or incorporate such designs.{{cite web|url= http://www.transasiart.com/Numismatique/numismatique_chine/amulettes/jetons%20amulettes/ncnamupj.htm|title= Pièces de jeu amulettisées – Charm gambling tokens.|date=14 September 2015|access-date=27 April 2020|author= François Thierry de Crussol (蒂埃里)|publisher= TransAsiart|language=fr}}

{{Further|Han dynasty coinage#The emergence of Chinese numismatic charms}}

{{see also|Ancient Chinese coinage}}

File:S514 WuZhu HanEst 184 (6986320400).jpg

The earliest Chinese coinage bore inscriptions that described their place of origin during the Warring States period and sometimes their nominal value. Other forms of notation came to be included, such as circles representing the sun, crescents representing the moon, and dots representing the stars, as well as blobs and lines. These symbols sometimes protruded from the surface of the coin (Chinese: 阳文; Pinyin: yáng wén) and sometimes they were carved, engraved or stamped (Chinese: 阴文; Pinyin: yīn wén). 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 that appeared on ancient Chinese cash coins, such as the Ban Liang coins, and appeared mostly during the Han dynasty. These symbols were usually on the obverse side of the coins and were probably carved as a part of the mold, meaning that they were intentionally added. Crescent symbols on both the obverse and reverse sides of coins were added around the same period as the dots. After this, both regular Chinese numerals and counting rod numerals began to appear on cash coins during the beginning of the Eastern Han dynasty. Chinese characters began to appear on these early cash coins which could mean they were intended to circulate in certain regions or might indicate the names of those who cast the coins.

Coins made under Emperor Wang Mang of the Xin dynasty had a distinctive appearance from coinage of the Han dynasty era, and were later used as the basis of many Chinese amulets and charms.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/charmcoins.html|title= Emergence of Chinese Charms – Symbols Begin to Appear on Chinese Coins.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=27 March 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Museum of Chinese Art and Ethnography. Parma, Italy. 0521-257.337 [http://www.museocineseparma.org/artecinese/china_charms_index.htm Good Luck Charms] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516174822/http://www.museocineseparma.org/artecinese/china_charms_index.htm |date=16 May 2018 }}. Retrieved: 8 May 2018. Xaverian Missionaries © Museo d'Arte Cinese ed Etnografico – 2018 – Parma, Italia

Ancient Chinese texts refer to the Hanzi character for "star" (星) to not exclusively refer to the stars that are visible at night but to also have an additional meaning of "to spread" and "to disseminate" (布, bù). Other old Chinese sources stated that the character for "star" was synonymous with the term for "to give out" and "to distribute" (散, sàn). Based on these associations and the links between coinage and power, an understanding formed that cash coins should be akin to the star-filled night sky: widespread in circulation, numerous in quantity, and distributed throughout the world.

Another hypothesis on why star, moon, cloud and dragon symbols appeared on Chinese cash coins is that they represent yin and yang and the wu xing – a fundamental belief of the time – and specifically the element of water (水). The Hanzi character for a "water spring" (泉) also meant "coin" in ancient China. In Chinese mythology, the moon was an envoy or messenger from the heavens and water was cold air of yin energy that was accumulated on the moon. The moon was the spirit in charge of water in Chinese mythology, and the crescent symbols on cash coins could indicate that they were meant to circulate like water, which flows, gushes, and rises. The symbolism of "clouds" or "auspicious clouds" may refer to the fact that clouds cause rain; the I Ching mentions that water appears in the heavens as clouds, again bringing the implication that cash coins should circulate freely. The appearance of wiggly-lines that represent Chinese dragons happened around this time and may have also been based on the wu xing element of water, as dragons were thought to be water animals that were the bringers of both the winds and the rain; the dragons represented the nation, with freely flowing currency. In later Chinese charms, amulets, and talismans, the dragon became a symbol of the Chinese emperor and the central government of China and its power.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/yinyangfiveelements.html|title= "Yin Yang" and the "Five Elements" as the Basis for Star, Moon, Cloud, and Dragon Symbols on Ancient Chinese Coins and Charms.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=26 June 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Chinese Symbolism & Art Motifs by C.A.S. Williams. Publisher: DAlphabetical.Amuletes & Talismans Monetiformes D'Extreme Orient by Karl Petit.Nations Online [http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/five_elements.htm Five Elements or the Five States of Change] – The Theory of the Five Elements – Wu Xing (Chinese: 五行; pinyin: wǔxíng), often shortened to Five Elements, is the concept in Chinese philosophy conceiving the world as dynamic states, or phases, of constant change. Retrieved: 26 June 2018.

File:Lei Ting curse charms, Delft (2018).jpg in Delft, the Netherlands; these amulets are shaped like ordinary cash coins but contain examples of Taoist symbolism and imagery.]]

Most Chinese numismatic charms produced from the start of the Han dynasty until the end of the Northern and Southern dynasties (206 BCE – 589 CE) were very similar in appearance to the Chinese cash coins that were in circulation. The only differentiating factor that Chinese talismans had at the time were the symbols on the reverse of these coins. These symbols included tortoises, snakes, double-edged swords, the sun, the moon, stars, depictions of famous people and the twelve Chinese zodiacs. The major development and evolution of Chinese numismatic talismans happened during the period that started from the Six Dynasties and lasted until the Mongol Yuan dynasty. It was during this era that Chinese numismatic charms began using inscriptions that wished for "longevity" and "happiness", and these charms and amulets became extremely common in Chinese society. Taoist and Buddhist amulets also began to appear during this period, as did marriage coin charms with "Kama Sutra-like" imagery. Chinese numismatic charms also began to be made from iron, lead, tin, silver, gold, porcelain, jade, and paper. These charms also featured new scripts and fonts such as regular script, grass script, seal script, and Fulu (Taoist "magic writing" script). The association of Chinese characters into new and mystical forms added hidden symbolism.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/loopcharms.html|title= Chinese Pendant Charms – 挂牌.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=9 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Petit, Karl Talismans Monetiformes de Chine et du Japon. 184p, 1981 (in French)

Charms with inscriptions such as fú dé cháng shòu (福德長壽) and qiān qiū wàn suì (千秋萬歲, 1,000 autumns, 10,000 years)Charm.ru [http://www.charm.ru/charms/liao-charm.shtml Liao Dynasty Charm – Qian Qiu Wan Sui] by Vladimir Belyaev. Published: 9 February 2002. Retrieved: 1 June 2018. were first cast around the end of the Northern dynasties period and continued through the Khitan Liao, Jurchen Jin and Mongol Yuan dynasties. During the Tang and Song dynasties, open-work charms began to include images of Chinese dragons, qilin, flowers and other plants, fish, deer, insects, Chinese phoenixes, fish, and people. The open-work charms from this era were used as clothing accessories, adornment, or to decorate horses. The very common charm inscription cháng mìng fù guì (長命富貴) was introduced during the Tang and Song dynasties, when the reverse side of these talismans started showing Taoist imagery such as yin-yang symbols, the eight trigrams, and the Chinese zodiacs. During the Song dynasty, a large number of Chinese talismans were cast, especially horse coins which were used as gambling tokens and board game pieces. Fish charms meant to be worn around the waist were introduced during the reign of the Khitan Liao. Other new types emerged during the Jurchen Jin dynasty, with the influence of the steppe culture and arts of the Jurchen people. The Jin dynasty merged the Jurchen culture with Chinese administration, and the charms of the Jin dynasty innovated on the talismans of the Song dynasty which used hidden symbolism, allusions, implied suggestions, and phonetic homonyms to describe a meaning. Under the Jurchens, new symbolisms emerged: a dragon representing the emperor, a phoenix representing the empress, tigers representing ministers, lions representing the government as a whole, and cranes and pine trees that symbolized longevity. Hidden symbolism such as jujube fruits for "morning or early" and chickens symbolizing "being lucky" also emerged under the Jurchens.

Under the Ming and Manchu Qing dynasties, there was increased manufacture of amulets with inscriptions that wish for good luck and those that celebrate events. These numismatic talismans depict what is called the "three many": happiness, longevity, and having many progeny. Other common wishes included those for wealth and receiving a high rank from the imperial examination system. During this period, more Chinese numismatic talismans began using implied and hidden meanings with visual puns. This practice was particularly expanded upon during the Manchu Qing dynasty.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/|title= Ancient Chinese Charms and Coins.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=1 June 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Open Library [https://openlibrary.org/works/OL7760031W/History_of_amulets_charms_and_talismans History of amulets, charms, and talismans. A historical investigation into their nature and origin]. By Michael Lewy Rodkinson. Published 1893 in New York. Retrieved: 1 June 2018.Coole, Arthur B. Coins in China's History. Mission, Kansas, USA, 1965.SpringerLink [https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-10-1793-3_1 Chinese Charms and the Iconographic Language of Good Luck and Heavenly Protection] by Alex Chengyu Fang and François Thierry. City University of Hong Kong Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China – The French National Library, Paris, France. First Online: 10 December 2016. Retrieved: 1 June 2018.

File:A Yasheng Coin.jpg antique]]

Unlike government cast Chinese cash coins which typically only have four characters, Chinese numismatic charms often have more characters and may depict images of various scenes.Sportstune.com [http://www.sportstune.com/chinese/beginners.html Chinese coins – for beginners] by John Ferguson. Retrieved: 9 May 2018. They can come in several different styles:

• carved or engraved ({{lang-zh | c=镂空品| hp=lòukōng pǐn| links=no}})
• with animal
• with people
• with plants
• words or characters on coin ({{lang-zh | c=钱文品| hp=qián wén pǐn| links=no}})
• sentences or wishes ({{lang-zh | c=吉语品| hp=jí yǔ pǐn| links=no}})
• Chinese zodiac ({{lang-zh | c=生肖品| hp=shēngxiào pǐn| links=no}})
• Taoism, Bagua ({{lang-zh | c=八卦品| hp=bāguà pǐn| links=no}}), or Buddhism gods ({{lang-zh | c=神仙佛道品| hp=shénxiān fó dào pǐn| links=no}})
• Horses or military themes ({{lang-zh | c=打马格品| hp=dǎ mǎ gé pǐn| links=no}})
• Abnormal or combined styles ({{lang-zh | c=异形品| hp=yìxíng pǐn| links=no}})

Early Chinese numismatic charms tended to be cast, until machine-struck coinage appeared in China during the 19th century.

A large number of Chinese numismatic charms have been cast over a period more than 2000 years, these charms have evolved with the changing culture as time passed which is reflected in their themes and inscriptions.{{cite web|url= https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1800316623/ref=dbs_a_w_dp_1800316623|title= Cast Chinese Amulets.|date=13 August 2020|access-date=22 August 2020|author= David Hartill|publisher= New Generation Publishing|language=en}} In his 2020 work Cast Chinese Amulets British numismatist and author David Hartill had documented over 5000 different types of Chinese numismatic charms. Traditionally catalogues of these amulets are arranged in various of number of methods such as by shape, their size, the meaning of the charms, the Emperor's name, or any other common feature. While other catalogues deliberately avoid such categorizations as it would not be immediately clear to a novice (non-expert) whether an individual Chinese amulet would be considered to be a "Lucky", "Religious", "Family", or "Coin" type charm.

File:91643 SMVK OM objekt 118377 (1).jpg

Chinese numismatic "good luck charms" or "auspicious charms" are inscribed with various Chinese characters representing good luck and prosperity. There was popular belief in their strong effect and they were traditionally used in an effort to scare away evil and protect families. They generally contain either four or eight characters wishing for good luck, good fortune, money, a long life, many children, and good results in the Imperial examination system."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. Some of these charms used images or visual puns to make a statement wishing for prosperity and success. Some feature pomegranates which symbolise the desire for successful and skilled male children, to strengthen the family and continue its lineage.{{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|access-date=14 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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}}.Amulettes de Chine et du Vietnam (1987) by François Thierry de Crussol (in French).{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/types.html|title= Types of Chinese Charms.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

Another common theme on Chinese numismatic charms are rhinoceroses. Its depiction is associated with happiness, because the Chinese words for "rhinoceros" and "happiness" are both pronounced xi. The rhinoceros became extinct in Southern China during the ancient period and the animal became enshrined in myth, with legends that the stars in the sky were being reflected in the veins and patterns of a rhinoceros horn. The horn of the rhinoceros was believed to emit a vapour that could penetrate bodies water, traverse the skies and open channels to communicate directly with the spirits.{{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|access-date=14 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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.Scribd [https://www.scribd.com/document/367152854/Chinese-Mythology Chinese Mythology]. Retrieved: 18 April 2018.

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),{{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|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}} lián shēng guì zǐ (連生貴子, "May there be the birth of one honorable son after another"),{{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|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}} and zhī lán yù shù (芝蘭玉樹, "A Talented and Noble Young Man").{{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|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

Safe journey charms are a major category of Chinese numismatic charms, which were produced out of a concern for personal safety while traveling. One side would usually have an inscription wishing for the holder of the charm to be granted a safe journey, while the other would have common talisman themes such as the Bagua, weapons, and stars. It is believed that the Boxers used safe journey charms as badges of membership during their rebellion against the Manchu Qing dynasty.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/05/13/safe-journey-charm/ |title= Safe Journey Charm.|date=13 May 2011|access-date=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

File:Peace gourd charm (crop) - Scott Semans.png

Peace charms (Traditional Chinese: 天下太平錢; Simplified Chinese: 天下太平钱; Pinyin: tiān xià tài píng qián) have inscriptions wishing for peace and prosperity and are based on Chinese coins that use the characters 太平 (tài píng).[http://charmstaiping.blogspot.nl/?m=1 Charms Taiping] Solek den rawat. Retrieved: 6 May 2018. (in Indonesian)[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)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516174613/http://www.ictunconference.com/an/an_ancient_peace.pdf |date=16 May 2018 }}. Retrieved: 6 May 2018.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: 6 May 2018. These coins are often considered to have charm-like powers.

An archeological find of the 1980s established that they were first cast by the Kingdom of Shu after the collapse of the Han dynasty. This coin bore the inscription tài píng bǎi qián (太平百錢), was worth one hundred Chinese cash coins, and bore a calligraphic style which resembled charms more than contemporary coinage. During the Song dynasty, Emperor Taizong issued a coin with the inscription tài píng tōng bǎo (太平通寶), and under the reign of the Chongzhen Emperor appeared a Ming dynasty coin with the inscription tài píng (太平) on the reverse and chóng zhēn tōng bǎo (崇禎通寶) on the obverse. During the Taiping Rebellion, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom issued coins ("holy coins") with the inscription tài píng tiān guó (太平天囯).

Peace charms, which were privately cast with the desire to wish for peace, were used on a daily basis throughout China's turbulent and often violent 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.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/peace.html |title= Peace Coins and Charms – 天下太平.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=6 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Charm.ru [http://www.charm.ru/charms/taipingtongbaocharm.shtml Tai Ping Tong Bao charm] by Vladimir Belyaev. Retrieved: 6 May 2018.Amulette de Chine et du Vietnam by François Thierry, Paris 1987 (in French)Dreamicus – Discover the meaning of your dreams [http://dreamicus.com/peace.html The meaning of the dream symbol: Peace]. Retrieved: 6 May 2018.

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 吉 and 祥, which can be translated as "good fortune", while on the reverse side the characters rú yì (如意, "as you wish") is 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", a popular expression in China. This charm is a very rare design due to its double rim (重輪), which can be described as having a thin circular rim surrounding the broad outer rim. This specific charm 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 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", the supposed symbolic denomination).{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2012/11/18/qing-dynasty-peace-charm/|title= Qing Dynasty Peace Charm.|date=18 November 2012|access-date=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Ma Ding Xiang – Tai Ping Tian Guo Quan Bi (T'ai-p'ing coins & charms), 1994 – 2nd Edition. (in Mandarin Chinese)

{{Main|Chinese burial money}}

{{See also|Hell money}}

File:Joss Paper Made of Gold in Jin Dynasty 2012-05.JPG.]]

Chinese burial coins (Traditional Chinese: 瘞錢; Simplified Chinese: 瘗钱; Pinyin: yì qián) a.k.a. dark coins (Traditional Chinese: 冥錢; Simplified Chinese: 冥钱; Pinyin: míng qián)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.{{cite news|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|access-date=15 May 2018|work= Owen Jarus – LiveScience (for the Huffington Post)}} are Chinese imitations of currency that are placed in the grave of a person that is to be buried. The practice dates to the Shang dynasty when cowrie shells were used, in the belief that the money would be used in the afterlife as a bribe to Yan Wang (also known as Yama) for a more favourable spiritual destination. The practice changed to replica currency to deter grave robbers,{{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|access-date=15 May 2018|work= Lizzie Dearden (for The Independent)}}Ann Paludan – Chinese Tomb Figurines (Images of Asia) – {{ISBN|978-0195858174}}, {{ISBN|0195858174}}. and these coins and other imitation currencies were referred to as clay money (泥錢) or earthenware money (陶土幣). Chinese graves have been found with clay versions of what the Chinese refer to as "low currency" (下幣), such 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. Graves from various periods have also been found with imitations of gold and silver "high currency" (上幣), such as 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). In modern use, Joss paper takes the place of clay replicas, and is burned rather than buried with the deceased.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2015/03/20/chinese-burial-money/|title= Chinese Burial Money.|date=20 March 2015|access-date=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}{{cite web|url= https://www.thoughtco.com/chinese-funeral-traditions-687456|title= Chinese Funeral Traditions.|date=23 April 2018|access-date=15 May 2018|work= Lauren Mack (for ThoughtCo.)}}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.

Chinese "Laid to Rest" burial charms are bronze funerary charms or coins usually found in graves. They measure from {{convert|2.4|to|2.45|cm}} in diameter with a thickness of {{convert|1.3|to|1.4|mm}} and they contain the obverse inscription rù tǔ wéi ān (入土为安) which means "to be laid to rest", while the reverse is blank. These coins were mostly found in graves dating from the late Qing dynasty period, though one was found in a coin hoard of Northern Song dynasty coins. The wéi is written using a simplified Chinese character (为) rather than the traditional Chinese version of the character (為). These coins are often excluded from numismatic reference books on Chinese coinage or talismans due to many taboos, as they were placed in the mouths of dead people and are considered unlucky and disturbing, and are undesired by most collectors.{{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|access-date=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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)997788 [http://m.997788.com/pr/detail_auction.php?d=793&id=8829155 入土为安] 。 成交时间： 27 December 2015 09:38:41. Retrieved: 15 May 2018. (in Mandarin Chinese using Simplified Chinese characters)[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)

{{Main|Marriage coin charm}}

File:Chinese numismatic charms - Scott Semans 43.jpg

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) are Chinese numismatic charms or amulets that depict scenes of sexual intercourse in various positions. They are known by many other names, including secret play coins (Traditional Chinese: 秘戲錢; Simplified Chinese: 秘戏钱; Pinyin: mì xì qián),{{cite web|url= http://www.jibi.net/News/qbqbcx/8_16_40_545.html|title= 透过秘戏钱看古代性文化（宋康年）.|date=9 February 2020|access-date=18 May 2020|author= Song Kangnian (宋康年)|publisher= Jibi|language=zh-cn}} 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, and Chinese wedding coins. They illustrate how the newlywed couple should perform on their wedding night to meet their responsibilities and obligations to produce children. They may depict dates and peanuts symbolising the wish for reproduction, lotus seeds symbolising "continuous births", chestnuts symbolising male offspring, pomegranates symbolising fertility, brans symbolising sons that will be successful, "dragon and phoenix" candles, cypress leaves, qilins, bronze mirrors, shoes, saddles, and other things associated with traditional Chinese weddings.

The name "spring money" is a reference to an ancient Chinese ritual in which girls and boys would sing romantic music to each other from across a stream. 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).{{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|access-date=8 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Lockhart, J.H.S. Currency of the Farther East, V1: (Glover Collection, text) & V2: (illustrations) 223pp, 1895Lu Zhenhai Zhongguo gudai yasheng qianpu (Catalog of Chinese Charms) 831p, 1991 (in Mandarin Chinese)[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, 17 December 2011. Coins with Holes (Holed Coins). Retrieved: 9 May 2018.Mandel, Edgar J. Chinese talismans Phase II Plates 270p, 8Z\x x11", 1975?R1995I 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: 9 May 2018. These charms could also be used in brothels where a traveller could use the illustrations to make a request of a prostitute without knowing the local language.{{cite web|url= http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-11-02/news/9204090466_1_coin-emperors-tokens|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180516174939/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-11-02/news/9204090466_1_coin-emperors-tokens|url-status= dead|archive-date= 16 May 2018|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|access-date=9 May 2018 |author=June M. Reinisch, PhD |work= United Feature Syndicate Inc. (for the Chicago Tribune). }}{{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|access-date=9 May 2018|work=By Miss Cheah (Xing Fu – 幸福). "I am just an ordinary Malaysian teacher who loves blogging and taking photographs."}}

Some Chinese marriage charms contain references to the well-known 9th century poem Chang hen ge, with figures illustrated in four different sex positions and four Chinese characters representing the spring, wind, peaches, and plums.{{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|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

A design of Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese marriage amulets display a pair of fish on one side and the inscription Eo ssang (魚双, "Pair of Fish") on the other side.{{cite web|url= https://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=87111|title= Amulets of Viet Nam (Bùa Việt-Nam – 越南符銭).|date=2006|access-date=31 March 2020|first=Craig |last=Greenbaum|language=en}}{{Sfn|Greenbaum|2006|p=104}} In various Oriental cultures fish are associated with plenty and abundance.{{Sfn|Greenbaum|2006|p=105}} Fish are furthermore noted for their prolific ability to reproduce and that when they swim that this was in joy and are therefore associated with a happy and harmonious marriage.{{Sfn|Greenbaum|2006|p=105}} In Feng Shui, a pair of fish are associated with conjugal bliss and the joys of being in a matrimonial union.{{Sfn|Greenbaum|2006|p=105}}

Chinese house charms refer to Chinese numismatic talismans placed within a house to bring good fortune to the place, or to balance the house according to Feng shui. These charms date to the Han dynasty and were placed in houses even while the building was under construction; they were also placed in temples and other buildings. Many traditional Chinese houses tend to display images of the menshen (threshold guardian). Some buildings were built with a "foundation stone" (石敢當), based on the Mount Tai in Shandong, with 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. Five poison charms are often used to deter unwanted human visitors as well as animal pests.{{relevance inline|date=January 2020|What do the preceding three sentences have to do with the house charm? The article is already quite long, don't stray from the subject.}} 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 Deity". House charms tend to have inscriptions inviting good fortune into the home like cháng mìng fù guì (長命富貴, "longevity, wealth and honour"), 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, "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").{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/house.html|title= The Chinese House, Good Fortune and Harmony with Nature.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}{{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|access-date=13 May 2018|work= By Rodika Tchi (for The Spruce).}}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.

Palace cash coins are sometimes included as a category of Chinese numismatic charms.{{cite web|url= http://www.calgarycoin.com/reference/china/china8.htm|title= Chinese Cast Coins – THE CH'ING DYNASTY § PALACE CASH.|date=2015|access-date=8 May 2020|author= Robert Kokotailo|publisher= Calgary Coin & Antique Shop (R & T Enterprises Ltd.)|language=en}} These special coins, according to the Standard Catalog of World Coins by Krause Publications, were specifically produced to be presented as gifts during Chinese new year to the people who worked in the Chinese imperial palace such as imperial guards and eunuchs, who would hang these special coins below lamps. In his book Qing Cash, published by the Royal Numismatic Society in the year 2003, David Hartill noted that these palace cash coins were only produced during the establishment of a new reign era title. The first Chinese palace cash coins were produced in the year 1736 during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor and tend to be between 30 millimeters and 40 millimeters in diameter. These palace cash coins were produced until the end of the Qing dynasty.

These coins contain the reign titles Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, Xianfeng, Tongzhi, Guangxu, or Xuantong with "Tongbao" (通寶), or rarely "Zhongbao" (重寶), in their obverse inscription and the reverse inscription "Tianxia Taiping" (天下太平).{{sfn|Hartill|2005|p=437}} These special cash coins were wrapped inside of a piece of rectangular cloth and every time that an Emperor died (or "ascended to his ancestors") the coins were replaced with new reign titles.{{sfn|Hartill|2005|p=437}} Some Tianxia Taiping cash coins were manufactured by the Ministry of Revenue while others were produced by private mints.{{sfn|Hartill|2005|p=437}} Palace issues tend to be larger than circulation cash coins with the same inscriptions.{{cite web|url= http://www.charm.ru/library/tienhsia.htm|title= Palace issue coin. – Obverse – reign title Dao Kuang Tung Pao; Reverse – T'ien Hsia T'ai P'ing (An Empire at Peace or Peace on Earth).|date=2003|access-date=20 August 2020|author= Vladimir Belyaev (Владимир Беляев) and Mr. Y. K. Leung|publisher= Chinese Coinage Web Site (Charm.ru)|language=en}}

Most Chinese numismatic charms imitated the round coins with a square hole which were in circulation when the charms first appeared. As the charms evolved separately from government-minted coinage,The China Story [https://www.thechinastory.org/ritp/the-study-of-chinese-coins/ The Study of Chinese Coins] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516174744/https://www.thechinastory.org/ritp/the-study-of-chinese-coins/ |date=16 May 2018 }}. 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. coins shaped like spades, locks, fish, peaches, and gourds emerged.Li Yung Ping, Outlines of Chinese History, Commercial Press."Stewart Lockhart Collection of Chinese Copper Coins", Royal Asiatic Society, China Branch.Ch'ien Chih Hsin Pien 錢志新編 (in Chinese), 1830.The China Journal of Science & Arts, vol.V, no.6 (December 1926): 58–65. though most retained the appearance of contemporary Chinese coinage.

Gourd charms (Traditional Chinese: 葫蘆錢; Simplified Chinese: 葫芦钱; Pinyin: hú lu qián) are shaped like calabashes (bottle gourds). These charms are used to wish for good health, as the calabash is associated with traditional Chinese medicine, or for many sons, as trailing calabash vines are associated with men and carry myriad seeds. As the first character in the gourd is pronounced as hú (葫) which sounds similar to hù, the pronunciation of the Chinese word for "protect" (護) or for "blessing" (祜), gourd charms are also used to ward off evil spirits. Calabashes were believed to have the magical power of protecting children from smallpox, and gourd charms were believed to keep children healthy. Calabashes are also shaped like the Arabic numeral "8", which is a lucky number in China. A variant of the gourd charm is shaped like two stacked cash coins, a smaller one at top, to resemble a calabash. These charms have four characters and auspicious messages.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/gourd.html|title= Gourd Charms – 葫蘆 – Gourds in Ancient China.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=18 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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.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: 20 January 2014. Retrieved: 2 May 2018.

File:Happiness is before your eyes amulet (Etnografiska museet).jpg

The gourd charm pictured to the right, which is composed of two replicas of Wu Zhu cash coins with a bat placed to obscure the character at their intersection, forms a visual pun. The Chinese word for "bat" sounds similar to that of "happiness", the square hole in the center of a cash coin is referred to as an "eye" (眼, yǎn), and the Chinese word for "coin" (錢, qián) has almost the same pronunciation as "before" (前, qián). This combination can be interpreted as "happiness is before your eyes".{{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|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

{{Main|Vault protector coin}}

File:Vault Protector Coin made by Board of Works Mint.png 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. These coins were significantly 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, and Vault Protector coins would be hung with red silk and tassels for the Chinese God of Wealth. These coins were believed to have charm-like magical powers that would protect the vault while bringing wealth and fortune to the treasury.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2015/06/10/vault-protector-coins/|title= Vault Protector Coins.|date=10 June 2015|access-date=22 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}"Coins in China's History" published in 1936 by Arthur B. Coole (邱文明).

Vault protector coins were produced for over a thousand years starting in the country of Southern Tang during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and were produced until the Qing dynasty. Vault protector coins were typically cast to commemorate the opening of new furnaces for casting cash coins.

{{Main|Open-work charm}}

File:Amulet. SMVK EM objekt 1299075 B.jpg.]]

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 types of Chinese numismatic charms characterised by irregularly shaped openings or holes between the other design elements. Most open-work charms have mirrored designs on the reverse side, with Chinese characters rarely appearing. They tend have a single large round hole in the middle of the coin, or a square hole for those that feature designs of buildings. Compared to other Chinese charms, open-work charms are significantly larger and more often made from bronze than brass. They first appeared during the Han dynasty, though most of these are small specimens taken from various utensils. They became more popular during the reigns of the Song, Mongol Yuan, and Ming dynasties but lost popularity under the Manchu Qing dynasty.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/openwork.html |title= Chinese Open Work Charms – 鏤空錢 – "Hollowed Out" Money.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=25 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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|978-9811017919}}, {{ISBN|9811017913}}Brand: Way of the Dragon Publishing, The – Qigong Empowerment: A Guide to Medical, Taoist, Buddhist and Wushu Energy Cultivation (English and Chinese Edition) by Master Shou-Yu Liang & Wen-Ching Wu.J. Mevius – Chinese talismans. Publication date: 1 January 1968Sportstune (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: 2 May 2018.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).

Categories of open-work charms:

File:91643 SMVK OM objekt 118382 (2).jpg.]]

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 a pattern of twenty-four characters on one side which contains a variation of either the Hanzi character fú (福, good luck) or shòu (壽, longevity), the two most-common Hanzi characters to appear on Chinese charms.Confucian Democracy: A Deweyan Reconstruction by Sor-hoon Tan Publisher: SUNY Press, 2003.Your Chinese Astrology [https://www.yourchineseastrology.com/calendar/heavenly-stems-earthly-branches.htm Ten Heavenly Stems and Twelve Earthly Branches]. Retrieved: 28 April 2018.Chinastyle.cn (Ancient * Life * Art * Culture) [http://www.chinastyle.cn/chinese-zodiac-calendar/jieqi.htm Jieqi]. Retrieved: 28 April 2018.University of Maine [http://hua.umf.maine.edu/China/astronomy/tianpage/0008H_6703bw.html 24 Seasonal Segments 二十四节气] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613232418/http://hua.umf.maine.edu/China/astronomy/tianpage/0008H_6703bw.html |date=13 June 2010 }} by Marilyn Shea. Published: 2007. Retrieved: 28 April 2018.Columbia University Press – How to Read Chinese Poetry Workbook by Cai Zong-Qi. Published: 6 March 2012. {{ISBN|0231156588}}. {{ISBN|978-0231156585}}. The ancient Chinese believed that the more characters a charm had, the more good fortune it would bring, although it is not known 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 eight, which was seen as auspicious to the ancient Chinese due to its similar pronunciation to the word for "good luck". It may also represent the sum of the twelve Chinese zodiacs and the twelve earthly branches. Other possibilities include the 24 directions of the Chinese feng shui compass (罗盘), that Chinese years are divided into 12 months and 12 shichen, that the Chinese season markers are divided into 24 solar terms, or the 24 examples of filial piety from Confucianism.{{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|access-date=26 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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: 14 March 2016. Retrieved: 28 April 2018.Filial Piety in Chinese Thought and History by Alan Kam-leung Chan, Sor-hoon Tan. Publisher: Psychology Press, 2004.

File:91619 SMVK EM objekt 1005608 (2).jpg.]]

Spade charms are charms based on spade money, an early form of Chinese coin. Spade charms are based on Spade money which circulated during the Zhou dynasty until they were abolished by the Qin dynasty.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.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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516174838/http://therealasset.co.uk/how-to-guide/about-gold/background-gold-investing/gold-money/famous-uses-of-gold-money/zhou-dynasty-coins/ |date=16 May 2018 }}. (Home / Education center/ Key gold facts / Background to gold / Gold as money / Famous uses of gold as money / Ancient China's Zhou Dynasty.) Retrieved: 1 May 2018. Spade money was briefly reintroduced by Wang Mang during the Xin dynasty, and Chinese spade charms are generally based on this coinage.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/spade.html|title= Chinese Spade Charms – 布幣.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=30 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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 money 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.[https://www.amazon.com/early-coins-Chou-dynasty/dp/0880000104 The early coins of the Chou dynasty]. Author: Arthur Braddan Coole. Publisher: Boston : Quarterman Publications [1973] 1973.

{{Main|Lock charm}}

File:Chinese silver lock charm (Etnografiska Museet).png.]]

Chinese lock charms (Traditional Chinese: 家鎖; Simplified Chinese: 家锁; Pinyin: jiā suǒ) are based on locks, and symbolize protection from evil spirits of both the holder and their property. They were also thought to bring good fortune, longevity, and high results in the imperial exams, and were often tied around the necks of children by Buddhist or Taoist priests. Chinese lock charms are flat and without moving parts, with a form that resembles the Hanzi character "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), traditionally funded by a poor family asking a hundred other families to each gift a cash coin as a gesture of goodwill for their newborn child, vesting an interest in the child's security. Many Chinese lock charms are used to wish for stability. Other designs of lock charms include religious mountains, the Bagua, and Yin Yang symbol.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/locks.html|title= Chinese Lock Charms – 鎖片 – Introduction to Lock Charms.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=1 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}{{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|access-date=1 May 2018|work= Longjourney Online Chinese and English (Vogue and Carefree Learning) }}{{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|access-date=1 May 2018|work= Joyce Kwong (Asian Art Specialist at Clars Auction Gallery)}}{{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|access-date=1 May 2018|work= Ben Marks for Collectors Weekly}}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: 5 May 2018.

File:Benming Yuanshen (本命元神) - Nine-Fold Seal Script Charm (九疊文錢) - Jibi.net - Obverse & Reverse.jpg

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 with inscriptions in nine-fold seal script, a style of seal script that was in use from the Song dynasty until the Qing dynasty. Examples from the Song dynasty are rare. Around the end of the Ming dynasty there were Nine-Fold Seal Script charms cast with the inscription fú shòu kāng níng (福壽康寧, "happiness, longevity, health and composure"), and bǎi fú bǎi shòu (百福百壽, "one hundred happinesses and one hundred longevities") on the reverse side.{{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|access-date=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

{{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 shaped like fish. The Chinese character for "fish" (魚, yú) is pronounced the same as that for "surplus" (余, yú),Chinese Mythology: An Encyclopedia of Myth and Legend by Derek Walters (3 May 1995){{cite web|url= http://www.primalastrology.com/clownfish.html|title= PRIMAL ZODIAC SIGN OF CLOWNFISH. (PrimalAstrology.com)|date=10 December 2017|access-date=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.}}Christie, Anthony (1968). Chinese Mythology. Feltham: Hamlyn Publishing. {{ISBN|0600006379}}.{{cite web|url= http://www.primalastrology.com/pufferfish.html|title= PRIMAL ZODIAC SIGN OF PUFFERFISH. (PrimalAstrology.com)|date=10 December 2017|access-date=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.}} so the symbol for fish has traditionally been associated with good luck, fortune, longevity, fertility, and other auspicious things. As the Chinese character for "profit" (利, lì) is pronounced similar to "carp" (鯉, lǐ),Linda Fang & Jeanne N. Lee – The Ch'i-lin Purse: A Collection of Ancient Chinese Stories (Sunburst Book) {{ISBN|978-0374411893}}{{cite web|url= http://www.primalastrology.com/catfish.html|title= PRIMAL ZODIAC SIGN OF CATFISH. (PrimalAstrology.com)|date=10 December 2017|access-date=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.}}{{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|access-date=3 May 2018|work= Qiu Gui Su for ThoughtCo.}}Roger T. Ames & Takahiro Nakajima – Zhuangzi and the Happy Fish.Rob Shone – Chinese Myths (Graphic Mythology) by Rob Shone (1 January 2006) carps are most commonly used for the motif of fish charms. Fish charms were often used in the belief that they would protect the health of children, and featured inscriptions wishing for the children who carry them to stay alive and safe.{{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|access-date=3 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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}}Yang, Lihui, et al. (2005). Handbook of Chinese Mythology. New York: Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-19-533263-6}}

File:Chinese numismatic peach charm - Scott Semans.png

Chinese peach charms (Traditional Chinese: 桃形掛牌; Simplified Chinese: 桃形挂牌; Pinyin: táo xíng guà pái) are peach-shaped charms used to wish for longevity. The ancient Chinese believed the peach tree to possess vitality as its blossoms appeared before leaves sprouted.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} Chinese Emperors would write the character for longevity (壽) to those of the lowest social class if they had reached high ages,{{cite book|first=Michael|last=Loewe|title=Ways to paradise: the Chinese quest for immortality|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oLw0AQAAIAAJ|access-date=5 May 2018|date=31 December 1994|publisher=SMC Pub.|isbn=978-957-638-183-6|page=95}}{{cite book|author=Patricia Bjaaland Welch|title=Chinese art: a guide to motifs and visual imagery|url=https://archive.org/details/chineseartguidet0000welc|url-access=registration|access-date=5 May 2018|year=2008|publisher=Tuttle Publishing|isbn=978-0-8048-3864-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/chineseartguidet0000welc/page/159 159]|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.}} which was seen to be among the greatest gifts. This character often appears on peach charms and other Chinese numismatic charms. Peach charms also often depict the Queen Mother of the West or carry inscriptions such as "long life" (長命, cháng mìng). Peach charms were also used to wish for wealth depicting the character "富" or higher Mandarin ranks using the character "貴".{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/peach.html|title= Chinese Peach Charms – 桃形 – Introduction to Peach Charms.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=5 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}"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: 5 May 2018.Goodlucksymbols.com [https://goodlucksymbols.com/peach/ Peach – Symbolism]. Retrieved: 5 May 2018.

Little shoe charms are based on the association of shoes with fertility and the Chinese feminine ideal of small feet, which in Confucianism is associated with a narrow vagina, something the ancient Chinese saw as a sexually desirable trait to allow for birth of more male offspring. Intervention to create small feet was usually accomplished by foot binding from a young age. Girls would hang little shoe charms over their beds in the belief that it would help them find love. Chinese little shoe charms tend to be around {{convert|1|in|spell=in}} long. Shoes are also associated with wealth because their shape is similar to that of a sycee.{{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|access-date=11 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

Chinese pendant charms (Traditional Chinese: 掛牌; Simplified Chinese: 挂牌; Pinyin: guà pái) are Chinese numismatic charms that are used as decorative pendants. From the beginning of the Han dynasty, Chinese people began wearing these charms around their necks or waists as pendants, or attached these charms to the rafters of their houses, pagodas, temples or other buildings, as well as on lanterns.Petit, Karl Amuletes & Talismans Monetiformes D'Extreme Orient. 88p, 1976. (in French)Remmelts, A.A. Chinese talismans. 94pp, 1968.Anderson Galleries – 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).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. It is believed that open-work charms may have been the first Chinese charms that were used in this fashion. Fish, lock, spade, and peach charms were worn on a daily basis, with fish and lock charms worn mainly by young children and infants. Other charms were exclusively used for specific rituals or holidays. 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"). Others resembled contemporary cash coins with added dots and stars. Some pendant charms had 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, "to hang"), though their form makes their purpose obvious. 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).

Chinese palindrome charms are very rare Chinese numismatic charms that depict what in China is known as "palindromic poetry" (回文詩), a form which has to make sense when reading in either direction but may not be a true palindrome.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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516174324/http://www.theworldofchinese.com/2013/04/su-hui-the-palindrome-poet/ |date=16 May 2018 }}. Published: 04·03·2013. Author: Matthew Dubois. Retrieved: 16 May 2018.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. 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. This charm could be read both clockwise and counter-clockwise, and tells of two sides of a combative relationship which could be read as representing either party:

The reverse side of this coin features images of thunder and clouds.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/09/20/chinese-palindrome-charm/|title= Chinese Palindrome Charm.|date=20 September 2011|access-date=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}{{explain|date=January 2020|Why is this considered a charm?}}

File:Chinese numismatic charms - Scott Semans 91.jpg

Chinese charms with coin inscriptions (Traditional Chinese: 錢文錢; Simplified Chinese: 钱文钱; Pinyin: qián wén qián) used the contemporary inscriptions of circulating cash coins. These types of numismatic charms 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 and its decrees. For this reason even regular cash coins had been attributed supernatural qualities in various cultural phenomenon such as folk tales and feng shui. Some official coin inscriptions already had auspicious meanings, and these were selected to be used on Chinese numismatic talismans. During times of crisis and disunity, such as under the reign of Wang Mang, the number of charms with coin inscriptions seem to have increased enormously.White, R.B. – Finding List of Chinese Cash – cross-reference to Schjöth, Ding, Coole & others.Smith, Ward –

East Asian Cash Coins: An Identification Guide – Annamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, 1973.Staack, Herbert – Münzaufschriften Pinyin – Nien-hao conversions to Pin-yin; mint list, 1988. (in German) 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 after the fall of the Xin dynasty, charms were made with inscriptions from Wang Mang era coinage like the Northern Zhou era wǔ xíng dà bù (五行大布) because it could be translated as "5 elements coin". Similarly with 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 Liao dynasty era qiān qiū wàn suì (千秋萬歲, "thousand autumns and ten thousand years"), as well as the Jurchen Jin dynasty era tài hé zhòng bǎo (泰和重寶). Northern Song dynasty era charms may have been based on the same mother coins that were used to produce the official government cash coins, and given different reverses to distinguish them as charms.{{cite web|url= http://www.charm.ru/charms/sung-charms.shtml|title= Chinese charms with Northern Song dynasty legends.|date=3 December 2000|access-date=12 May 2018|work= by Vladimir Belyaev (Charm.ru)}}'Coins in the collection of the Shanghai Museum. Coins of the Song, Liao, Jin and Western Xia dynasties.', Shanghai, 1994.

During the Ming dynasty there were Chinese charms based on the hóng wǔ tōng bǎo (洪武通寶) with an image of a boy (or possibly the Emperor) riding either an ox or water buffalo. This charm became very popular as the first Ming Emperor was born as a peasant, which inspired low-born people that they could also do great things. There were 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; these charms were often given to children as gifts.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. During the Manchu Qing dynasty a charm was cast with the inscription qián lóng tōng bǎo (乾隆通寶), but was fairly large and had the tōng bǎo (通寶) part of the cash coin written in a different style, with Manchu characters on its reverse to indicate its 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.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/coinlegend.html|title= Chinese Charms with Coin Inscriptions – 錢文錢。|date=16 November 2016|access-date=12 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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.Fang, Alex Chengyu – Chinese Charms: Art, Religion and Folk Belief (2008)Cribb, Joseph – Chinese Coin Shaped Charms (1986).Yu Jiming – Zhongguo Huaqian Tujian (Illustrated Critical Catalogue of Chinese Charms), 2nd edition (1997). (in Mandarin Chinese)Grundmann, Horst – Amulette Chinas und seiner Nachbarländer (2003). (in German)Chen, Hong Xi Wan Qian Ji (Curio Coin Collection), 1986 (English translation).

During the 36th year of the Qianlong period (or the Gregorian year 1771), a number of fantasy cash coins with the inscription Qianlong Zhongbao (乾隆重寳) were cast in celebration of the Emperor's 60th birthday.{{cite web|url= http://www.transasiart.com/Numismatique/numismatique_chine/amulettes/monnaies%20amulettes/ncnamumaql06.htm|title= Monnaie "wanshou" 萬壽 de Qian Long 乾隆 – Qian Long wanshou coin.|date=14 September 2015|access-date=9 September 2020|author= François Thierry de Crussol (蒂埃里)|publisher= TransAsiart|language=fr}} Because the feast held on his 60th birthday was called Wanshoujie (萬壽節, "the party of ten thousand longevities") these numismatic charms are often referred to as wanshou qian (萬壽錢, "Currencies of the Ten Thousand Longevities").

File:景泰藍花錢 (further crop) - Scott Semans.png

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. 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"), with various coloured 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 and was the symbol of the Ming dynasty. Another known Ming dynasty era cloisonné charm has the inscription wàn lì nián zhì (萬歷年制, "Made during the [reign] of Wan Li") and the eight Buddhist treasure symbols impressed between the Hanzi characters. These 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.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2014/11/23/ming-dynasty-cloisonne-charm/|title= Ming Dynasty Cloisonne Charm.|date=23 November 2014|access-date=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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.ReligionFacts – Just the facts on religion. [http://www.religionfacts.com/victory-banner Victory Banner Symbol]. Retrieved: 15 May 2018.{{cite news|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|access-date=15 May 2018|work= Ken Johnson (for The New York Times)|last1= Johnson|first1= Ken}}

Cloisonné charms produced after the Ming dynasty (particularly those from the Qing dynasty) often have flower patterns.ChinaZeug.de [http://www.chinazeug.de/c289.htm Email-Amulett (Schmuck) in Cloisonnétechnik] (Alte and Antike Chinesische amuletten (charms)) by Yi and Ralf Thomann. Retrieved: 7 August 2018. (in German)

{{Main|Money tree (myth)}}

File:Han Money Tree.JPG

Chinese money trees (Traditional Chinese: 搖錢樹; Simplified Chinese: 摇钱树; Pinyin: yáo qián shù), or shengxianshu, ("immortal ascension trees"),{{cite web|url= http://www.asianart.com/exhibitions/shandong/8.html|title= Mold for wuzhu coins – Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) – Bronze; H. 22.7 cm, W. 7.7cm, D. 0.9 cm – Excavated from Cangshan – Collection of Shandong Provincial Museum – (cat. #19A).|date=2020|access-date=28 June 2020|author= Asianart.com|publisher= China Institute Gallery|language=en}}Zhang Maohua, "Money Trees Explained," China Archaeology and Art Digest 4, no. 4 (April–May 2002), pp. 20–21. are tree-like assemblies of charms, with the leaves made from numismatic charm replicas of cash coins. These money trees should not be with coin trees which are a by-product of the manufacture of cash coins, but due to their similarities it is thought by some experts that they may have been related. Various legends from China dating to the Three Kingdoms period mention a tree that if shaken would cause coins to fall from its branches. Money trees as a charm have been found in Southwest Chinese tombs from the Han dynasty, and 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, a farmer watered the money tree seed with his sweat and watered its sapling with his blood, after which the mature tree provided eternal wealth; this implies a moral that one can only become wealthy through their own toil. Literary sources claim that the origin of the money tree lies with the Chinese word for "copper" (銅, tóng) which is pronounced similar to the word for "the Paulownia tree" (桐, tóng). The leaves of the Paulownia become yellow in autumn and take on the appearance of 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, unable to discover the owner, hung it in a nearby tree; other passersby noticed this string and began hanging coins 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 to the Han dynasty in present-day Sichuan and a Taoist religious order named the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice. Archeoloigsts uncovered money trees as tall as {{convert|1.98|m}}, decorated with many strings of cash coins, little bronze dogs, bats, Chinese deities, elephants, deer, phoenixes, and dragons, with a bronze frame and a base of pottery. Both the inscriptions and calligraphy found on Chinese money trees match those of contemporary Chinese cash coins, which typically featured replicas of Wu Zhu (五銖) coins during the Han dynasty while those from the Three Kingdoms period had inscriptions such as "Liang Zhu" (兩銖).{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/moneytree.html|title= Chinese Money Trees. – 搖錢樹。|date=16 November 2016|access-date=10 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Chinaflowers.net [https://chinaflowers.net/blog/chinese-money-tree.html#com-head What is Chinese Money Tree]. – 7 September 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.Asian Art [http://education.asianart.org/explore-resources/artwork/money-tree-probably-100-200 Money Tree, probably 100–200] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710211122/http://education.asianart.org/explore-resources/artwork/money-tree-probably-100-200 |date=10 July 2015 }}. 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.wiseGEEK: [http://m.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-money-tree-plant.htm What is a Money Tree Plant?] Retrieved: 10 May 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.dia.org/exhibitions/tao/resource_art/pdf/china_money_tree.pdf|title=Money Tree|publisher=Dia.org|access-date=11 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222015246/http://www.dia.org/exhibitions/tao/resource_art/pdf/china_money_tree.pdf|archive-date=22 February 2012}}

{{See also|Chinese astronomy}}

Chinese astronomy coins (Traditional Chinese: 天象錢; Simplified Chinese: 天象钱; Pinyin: tiān xiàng qián) are charms that depict star constellations, individual stars, and other astronomical objects from ancient Chinese astronomy. They may also contain texts from the Classic of Poetry (specifically a poem entitled the "Great East" (詩經·小雅·大東), which alludes to the "Winnowing Basket" (Sagittarius) and the "Ladle" (Big Dipper).), the Four Divine Creatures, the five elements, and the Twenty-Eight Mansions (sometimes accompanied with the mint marks of the 20 mints of the Kangxi poem coins), or illustrations from the story the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. Astronomy coins usually contain guideposts to differentiate the stars and constellations, divided into four cardinal directions.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/astronomy.html |title= Chinese Astronomy Coins – 天象錢。|date=16 November 2016|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}IDP [http://idp.bl.uk/4DCGI/education/astronomy/sky.html The Chinese Sky] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531232250/http://idp.bl.uk/4DCGI/education/astronomy/sky.html |date=31 May 2018 }}. Retrieved: 13 May 2018.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.

File:91643 SMVK OM objekt 118304 (2).jpgs on display at the Östasiatiska Museet.]]

Chinese zodiac charms are based on either the twelve animals or the twelve earthly branches of Chinese astrology, based on the orbit of Jupiter, and some zodiac charms feature stellar constellations. By the time of the Spring and Autumn period, the twelve earthly branches associated with the months and the twelve animals became linked; during the Han dynasty these also became linked to a person's year of birth.Edgar J.Mandel. Metal talismans of China.A. A. Remmelts. Chinese talismans. Amsterdam, 1968.Fredrik Schjoth. Chinese currency. Oslo, 1929.J. H. Stewart Lockhart. The Stewart Lockhart Collection of Chinese Copper Coins. Hongkong-Singapore-Yokohama, 1915.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: 2 May 2018. Some zodiac charms featured all twelve animals and others might also include the twelve earthly branches. They often feature the character gua (挂), which indicates that the charm should be worn on a necklace or from the waist.{{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|access-date=13 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}} Modern feng shui charms often incorporate the same zodiac-based features.{{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 March 2017|access-date=13 April 2018|work=Rodika Tchi (for The Spruce)}}

File:91643 SMVK OM objekt 118348 (2).jpg.]]

Chinese Eight Treasures charms (Traditional Chinese: 八寶錢; Simplified Chinese: 八宝钱; Pinyin: bā bǎo qián) depict the Eight Treasures, also known as the "Eight Precious Things" and the "Eight Auspicious Treasures",Edgar J.Mandel. Trial listing. Korean talismans. 1968.Li Zuding. Chinese Traditional Auspicious patterns. Shanghai 1994.Sportstune (Chinese charms) [http://sportstune.com/chinese/charms/1-2.html#2 Chinese charms, sections 1–2]. Retrieved: 2 May 2018. and refer to a subset of 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 as painting brushes, ink, writing paper and ink slabs, as well as other antiques such as Chinese chess, paintings, musical instruments and various others. Those most commonly depicted on older charms are the ceremonial ruyi (sceptre), coral, lozenge, rhinoceros horns, sycees, stone chimes, and flaming pearl. Eight Treasures charms can alternatively display the eight precious organs of the Buddha's body, the eight auspicious signs, various emblems of the eight Immortals from Taoism, or eight normal Chinese character. They often have thematic inscriptions.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/eighttreasures.html |title= The Eight Treasures – 八寶.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=20 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine: A New Translation of the Neijing Suwen with Commentary by Maoshing Ni.

These charms depict Taoist transcendent Liu Haichan, one of the most popular figures on Chinese charms, and the Jin Chan (money frog). The symbolism of these charms has regional differences, as in some varieties of Chinese the character "chan" has a pronunciation very similar to that of "coin" (錢 qián). The mythical Jin Chan lives on the moon, and these charms symbolize wishing for that which is "unattainable". This can be interpreted as attracting good fortune to the charm's holder, or that the attainment of money can lure a person to their downfall.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/liuhai.html|title= Liu Hai and the Three-Legged Toad – 劉海戲蟾.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=22 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}{{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|access-date=22 April 2018|work=Kuan Yin for Mahjong Treasures. }}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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808031334/http://www.fengshuicrazy.com/business-wealth/liu-hai-and-the-three-legged-toad.php |date=8 August 2020 }}. Retrieved: 22 April 2018.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.

File:Chinese amulet trigrammen.png

Chinese charms depicting illustrations and subjects from the I Ching ({{a.k.a.}} The Book of Changes) are used to wish for the cosmic principles associated with divination in ancient China, such as simplicity, variability, and persistence. Bagua charms may also depict the Bagua (the Eight Trigrams of Taoist cosmology). Bagua charms commonly feature depictions of trigrams, the Yin Yang symbol, Neolithic jade cong's (琮), the Ruyi sceptre, bats, and cash coins.{{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|access-date=22 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Talismans & Amulets by Felicitas H. Nelson – Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 2008 – Body, Mind & Spirit – 267 pages. {{ISBN|1402746253}}, 9781402746253The 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.Ba Gua Nei Gong Tian Gan Heavenly Stem (Ba Gua, #5) by Tom Bisio.Liu Bin's Zhuong Gong Bagua Zhang: Foundation Practices, Volume One by Zhang Jie.The Eight Animals of Bagua Zhang (Book and Dvd) by Ted Mancuso, Debbie Shayne (Photographer).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: 2 May 2018.

Book of Changes and Bagua charms are alternatively known as Yinyang charms (Traditional Chinese: {{nowrap|陰陽錢}}) because the taijitu is often found with the eight trigrams.{{cite web|url= http://www.transasiart.com/Numismatique/numismatique_chine/amulettes/yin%20yang/ncnamuyy.htm|title= Amulettes yinyang – 陰陽 – Yinyang charm.|date=14 September 2015|access-date=4 August 2018|work= François Thierry de Crussol (TransAsiart)|language=fr}}{{cite web|url= http://www.transasiart.com/Numismatique/numismatique_chine/amulettes/yin%20yang/ncnamuyy01.htm|title= Amulette yinyang 陰陽 aux trigrammes – Trigram Yinyang charm.|date=14 September 2015|access-date=4 August 2018|work= François Thierry de Crussol (TransAsiart)|language=fr}} This is also a popular theme for Vietnamese numismatic charms and many Vietnamese versions contain the same designs and inscriptions.{{cite web|url= http://www.transasiart.com/Numismatique/numismatique_chine/amulettes/yin%20yang/ncnamuyy070.htm|title= Amulette yin yang 陰陽 des Quatre saisons – Four seasons Yinyang charm.|date=14 September 2015|access-date=4 August 2018|work= François Thierry de Crussol (TransAsiart)|language=fr}}

File:5 poisons (Snake, spider, centipede, toad, and tiger) - Scott Semans.png

Five poisons talismans (五毒錢) are Chinese charms decorated with inscriptions and images related to the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar (天中节), the most inauspicious day according to tradition. This day marked the start of summer which was accompanied with dangerous animals, the spread of pathogens through infection and the alleged appearance of evil spirits. These animals included those known as the five poisons (五毒): snakes, scorpions, centipedes, toads, and spiders. These are often depicted on five poisons talismans, or possibly with lizards, the three-legged toad or tiger. The ancient Chinese believed that poison could only be thwarted with poison, and that the amulet would counter the hazardous effects of the animals displayed. An example of a five poisons charm bears the legend "五日午时" ("noon of the 5th day"), and the amulets were commonly worn on that day.{{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|access-date=1 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Gotheborg.com [http://gotheborg.com/glossary/fivepoison.shtml Five Poisonous Creatures]. Copyright Jan-Erik Nilsson, Gothenburg, Sweden 1998–2017. Retrieved: 1 May 2018.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.Unspiral (Feed the addiction.) [http://unspiral.tumblr.com/post/117053362332/kanekis-centipede-symbolism Kaneki's Centipede Symbolism]. Retrieved: 1 May 2018.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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517005202/http://www.wceoprogram.org/Files/DragonBoatFestival-English.pdf |date=17 May 2018 }}. 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: 1 May 2018.

The Eight Decalitres of Talent charm is a Qing dynasty era handmade charm with four characters. The rim is painted blue, the left and right characters are painted green, and the top and bottom characters are painted orange. The inscription bā dòu zhī cái (八鬥之才), which could be translated as "eight decalitres of talent", is a reference to a story in which Cao Zhi struggled with his brother Cao Pi, under the belief that he was oppressed out of envy for his talents. The inscription was devised by the Eastern Jin dynasty poet Xie Lingyun, referring to a saying that talent was divided into ten pieces and Cao Zhi received eight of the ten.{{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|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

Tiger Hour charms are modeled 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 tend to have a round hole rather than a square hole. The reverse of these charms feature the inscription yín shí (寅時), which is a reference to the shichen of the tiger (the "tiger hour"),{{explain|date=January 2020|what's the importance of the tiger and tiger hour?}} and have an image of a tiger and a lucky cloud.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2012/05/22/tiger-hour-charm/|title= Tiger Hour Charm.|date=22 May 2012|access-date=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

"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, because 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) 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 the wish to produce sons and grandsons who would pass the imperial examination and attain a great rank as a mandarin.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/10/24/cassia-and-orchid-charm/|title= "Cassia and Orchid" Charm.|date=24 October 2011

|access-date=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dfsc.com.cn/2011/1020/49437.html|script-title=zh:精美白铜吉语花钱赏析 – 20 October 2011 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|access-date=15 May 2018|work="The Oriental Collection" (dongfang shoucang, 东方收藏)|language=zh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329101119/http://www.dfsc.com.cn/2011/1020/49437.html|archive-date=29 March 2018|url-status=dead}}

File:Denkomanbai - Dr. Luke Roberts 01.jpg

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. The charms can feature inscriptions such as tián cán wàn bèi (田蠶萬倍, "may your [rice] fields and silkworms increase 10,000 times") on their obverse and may have images of a spotted deer on their reverse.{{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|access-date=9 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Zhengjian [http://www.zhengjian.org/node/25383 男耕女织]

笑梅【正见网2004年01月16日】Retrieved: 9 May 2018.{{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|access-date=9 May 2018|work=PureInsight }}

The strict division of the sexes, apparent in the policy that "men plow, women weave" ({{lang-zh|c=男耕女织|link=no}}), partitioned male and female histories as early as the Zhou dynasty, with the Rites of Zhou even stipulating that women be educated specifically in "women's rites" ({{lang-zh|c=陰禮|p=yīnlǐ}}).{{cite book|last1=Kinney |first1=Anne Behnke|title=Exemplary Women of Early China|date=2014|publisher=Columbia University Press |location=New York City|isbn=9780231163095|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3tOrAgAAQBAJ|access-date=15 February 2018}}

File:2021657 6726 Museon.jpg, The Hague.]]

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 an eyelet to be carried, hung, or worn, and are more commonly found in Southern China. The traditional ideal for a Chinese family was to have five sons and two daughters, and boys were the preferred sex for filial piety, carrying on the family lineage, and qualifying for the imperial examination. The boys depicted on these charms are often in a position of reverence. 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", and wishes for continuity through the male line.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/boycharm.html|title= Chinese Boy Charms – 童子連錢。|date=16 November 2016|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Keith N. Knapp – Selfless Offspring: Filial Children and Social Order in Medieval China. Publisher: University of Hawaii Press. Publication date: 30 September 2005.Thomehfang [http://www.thomehfang.com/suncrates5/xiaodao.html FILIAL PIETY AND CHINESE CULTURE] by Joseph S. Wu. Retrieved: 13 May 2018.[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.

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 or the Chinese Song dynasty. These charms generally depict four individuals of which one is doing an acrobatic stunt (such as a handstand) while the others are playing various musical instruments: a four-string instrument which might possibly be a ruan, a flute, and a wooden fish. Although most numismatic catalogs refer to these charms as depicting "barbarians" or huren (胡人, literally "bearded people") the characters depicted on these charms 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.{{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|access-date=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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)Mandel, Edgar – Metal Charms & Amulets of China.Petit, Karl – Amuletes & Talismans Monetiformes D'Extreme Orient, 1976. (in French)

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 treasure bowl filled with various objects from the eight treasures on one side and the inscription píng ān jí qìng (平安吉慶, "Peace and Happiness") on the reverse. The loop of the charm is the form of a dragon; the string would be placed between the legs and the tail of the dragon, while the dragon's head looks upward from the bottom of the charm.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/12/01/chinese-treasure-bowl-charm/|title= Chinese Treasure Bowl Charm.|date=1 December 2011|access-date=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Cribb, Joseph – Magic Coins of Java, Bali and the Malay Peninsula, 1999.

Another type of Chinese "treasure bowl" charm has the obverse inscription Zhaocai Jinbao (招財進寳), these charms have dragon-shaped swivel.{{cite web|url= http://www.transasiart.com/Numismatique/numismatique_chine/amulettes/heureux%20presages/ncnamuba223.htm|title= Amulette de la Cassette aux joyaux – Jewel casket charm.|date=14 September 2015|access-date=19 May 2020|author= François Thierry de Crussol (蒂埃里)|publisher= TransAsiart|language=fr}}

{{Main|Confucian coin charm}}

Confucian charms are Chinese numismatic charms that depict the traditions, rituals, and moral code of Confucianism, such as filial piety and "righteousness".Robertsjamesreese.com [https://robertjamesreese.com/essays/filial-piety-in-chinese-religion Filial Piety in Chinese Religion] by Robert James Reese, 2003. Retrieved: 9 May 2018.Schjöth, Frederick – Chinese Currency: The Currency of the Far East.Yu Liuliang et al. Zhongguo Huaqian (Chinese Amulet Coins) 509p, 1992. (in Mandarin Chinese)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 24 March 2011 12 Pages by Duc Hoang & Professor Sandra Lee (IQS 125). Retrieved: 9 May 2018. Examples of Confucian charms would include a charm that depicts Shenzi carrying firewood on a shoulder pole, open-work charms depicting stories from "The Twenty-Four Examples of Filial Piety" (二十四孝),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: 9 May 2018.Classroom.Synonym.com – Home » Classroom. [https://classroom.synonym.com/major-beliefs-symbols-confucianism-3070.html Major Beliefs & Symbols of Confucianism] By Ricky Andromeda. Retrieved: 9 May 2018.Language Log – [http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=19349 "Double Happiness": symbol of Confucianism as a religion]. 8 June 2015 @ 6:45 pm · Filed by Victor Mair under Language and culture, Language and religion. Retrieved: 9 May 2018. the "five relationships" (五倫), Meng Zong kneeling beside bamboo, Dong Yong (a Han dynasty era man) working a hoe, Wang Xiang with a fishing pole. Confucian inscriptions include 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").{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/confucian.html#jing_xiong_ai_di|title= Confucian Charms – Introduction to Confucius and Confucianism.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=9 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/confucius/ Confucius]. – First published Wed 3 July 2002; substantive revision Sat 23 March 2013. Retrieved: 9 May 2018 (Wednesday).ReligionFacts – Just the facts on religion. [http://www.religionfacts.com/confucianism/symbols Symbols of Confucianism]. Published: 18 March 2014. Last Updated: 1 February 2017. Retrieved: 9 May 2018.Britannica.com [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Confucianism Confucianism]. Written By: Tu Weiming. Retrieved: 9 May 2018.

{{Main|Taoist coin charm}}

{{See also|Lei Ting curse charm}}

File:91643 SMVK OM objekt 118326 (2).jpg.]]

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. Since ancient times, the Chinese had attributed magical powers and influence to Hanzi characters. They believed that certain characters could impact spirits, which were in turn believed to be responsible for good and ill fortune. The Huainanzi describes spirits as horror-stricken at being commanded by the magical powers of the Hanzi characters used for amulets and charms. Many early Han dynasty talismans 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" (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 regarded as part of Fulu. Its techniques are passed from Taoist priests to their students and differ between Taoist sects, with a secrecy that led many people to believe that they would have more effect in controlling the will of the spirits.

As the majority of these charms asked Leigong (the Taoist God of Thunder) to kill the evil spirits or bogies, these numismatic charms are often called "Lei Ting" charms (雷霆錢) or "Lei Ting curse" charms. As imperial decrees had absolute authority, this reinforced the popular myth that Hanzi characters were somehow magical, and inspired Chinese talismans to take the forms of imperial decrees. Many Taoist talismans read as if by a high-rank official commanding the evil spirits and bogies with inscriptions such as "let it [the command] be executed as fast as Lü Ling",{{efn|Lü Ling was an ancient Chinese runner from the Zhou dynasty during the Mu Wang era in the 10th century BC.}} "quickly, quickly, this is an order", and "[pay] respect [to] this command".Sportstune.com – [http://sportstune.com/chinese/charms/6/1.html Magic Spell combined with Eight Trigram – Section 6.1: Round shape] by John Ferguson. Retrieved: 26 July 2018. Taoist talismans can contain either square holes or round ones. Many Taoist amulets and charms contain images of Liu Haichan, Zhenwu, the Bagua, yin-yang symbols, constellations, Laozi, swords, bats, and immortals.{{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|access-date=10 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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 July 2017, 7:25 pm. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.TAOISTSECRET.COM [http://www.taoistsecret.com/taoist.html Taoist Talismans]. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.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.University of Idaho – [http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~rfrey/116Taoist_gods_and_goddesses.htm Gods and Goddesses of Religious Daoism]. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.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, 23 November 2009. Retrieved: 10 May 2018.

During the Song dynasty, a number of Taoist charms depicting the "Quest for Longevity" were cast. These 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 a common motif and reproductions of this charm were commonly made after the Song period.{{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|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}} 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.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2015/10/07/lu-dongbin-charm/|title= Lu Dongbin Charm.|date=7 October 2016|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}[http://bbs.sssc.cn/viewthread.php?tid=2987492&extra=page%3D1 孚佑大帝（浮雕）] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516174637/http://bbs.sssc.cn/viewthread.php?tid=2987492&extra=page%3D1 |date=16 May 2018 }} [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 4 November 2013 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 28 September 2008 Retrieved: 13 May 2018. (in Mandarin Chinese using Simplified Chinese characters)

A Taoist charm from either the 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 an alternative hypothesis is that this charm depicts a meeting between Laozi and Zhang Daoling. This 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 in a circle surrounded by what is referred to as "auspicious clouds" which number eight.{{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|access-date=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

{{Main|Buddhist coin charm}}

File:Amitābha-Buddha charm, Delft (2018) 01.jpg, the Netherlands.]]

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 Buddhist symbols of mostly Mahayana Buddhism. These charms can have inscriptions in both Chinese and Sanskrit (while those with Sanskrit inscriptions did not appear until the Ming dynasty),{{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|access-date=12 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}北京翰海拍卖有限公司 [http://www.hanhai.net/newshhxw.php/?pkid=3034 Sanskrit charm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010091839/http://www.hanhai.net/newshhxw.php?pkid=3034 |date=10 October 2011 }}. (in Mandarin Chinese using Simplified Chinese characters) 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 are small. Some of them contain mantras from the Heart Sūtra. Some Buddhist charms are pendants dedicated to the Bodhisattva Guanyin. Common symbols are the lotus which is associated with the Buddha, and the banana which is associated with Vanavasa. Less commonly, some Buddhist charms also contain Taoist symbolism including Taoist "magic writing" script. There are Buddhist charms based on the Ming dynasty era hóng wǔ tōng bǎo (洪武通寶) but larger.

Japanese Buddhist monks brought large numbers of Japanese numismatic charms to China. Frequently encountered is the Buddhist qiě kōng cáng qì (且空藏棄) which was cast in Japan from 1736 to 1740 during the Tokugawa shogunate, and dedicated to the Ākāśagarbha Bodhisattva based on one of the favourite mantras of Kūkai. Ākāśagarbha is one of the eight immortals who attempts to free people from the cycle of reincarnation with compassion. 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").{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/buddhist.html|title= Buddhist Charms – 佛教品壓勝錢 – Buddhism in China.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=12 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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.Chinese Buddhist Encyclopedia [http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php/Buddhist_Symbols Buddhist Symbols]. Retrieved: 12 May 2018.

{{Main|Coin-sword}}

{{See also|Chinese swords|Ghosts in Chinese culture}}

File:Svärd, mynt, amulett - Etnografiska Museet 01.png on display at the Museum of Ethnography, Sweden.]]

Swords are a common theme on Chinese numismatic charms, and coins were often assembled into sword-shaped talismans. Most Chinese numismatic charms that feature swords often show a single sword. According to Chinese legends, the first swords in China appeared under the reign of the legendary Yellow Emperor. During the Spring and Autumn period, the notion developed that swords could be used against evil spirits and demons. Under the Liu Song dynasty swords became a common instrument in religious rituals, most particularly in Taoist rituals; according to the Daoist Rituals of the Mystery Cavern and Numinous Treasure (洞玄靈寶道學科儀) it was essential for students of Taoism to be able to forge swords which had the capability to dispel demonic entities. Many Taoist sects formed during this period believed that swords could defeat demons and also contained medical properties. Under the Sui and Tang dynasties ritualistic swords constructed of peach wood started to appear. Around this time, Chinese amulets with sword themes began to be produced; often these amulets resembled Chinese cash coins but had crossed swords decorated with ribbons or fillets on them, as the ancient Chinese believed that these items enhanced the powers of the item they were tied to. Chinese swords were commonly engraved with imagery representing the Big Dipper, which was believed to have unlimited magical power, and this also became common for charms that featured swords.Sirën, Osvald. 1970. A History of Early Chinese Art: The Han Period. Reprinted by Hacker Books, New York. Vol. 2:XVI + 87 pp. + 120 pls.Speiser, Werner. 1960. The Art of China. Spirit and Society. Crown Publications, New York. 257 pp.Sullivan. Michael. 1967 (Rev. Ptg. 1970). A Short History of Chinese Art. The University of California, Berkeley, California. 279 pp. + 72 pls.

The image of two swords on Chinese amulets stems from a legend where Taoist leader Zhang Daoling saw Laozi appear to him on a mountain in present-day Sichuan and gave him two swords. Alternatively, two swords can also represent two dragons from a legend where a man named Lei Huan (雷煥) received two swords and gave one to his son Lei Hua (雷華), who lost it in a river; a servant tasked with retrieving it witnessed two coiled and entwined Chinese dragons.Sullivan, Michael. 1977. The Arts of China, Rev. Ed. Univ. Calif. Press, Berkeley. 287 pp.Thompson, Edward K,. Man. Ed. 1957. The World's Great Religions. Time Inc., New York. VIII + 310 pp.Visser, H.F.E. 1952. Asiatic Art in Private Collections of Holland and Belgium. Seven Arts Book Society, New York. 511 pp.Chinasage.info [http://www.chinasage.info/deities.htm Chinese Deities]. Retrieved: 25 June 2018.

Another popular way swords are integrated in Chinese numismatic talismans is by stringing actual or replica cash coins into a sword-shape.{{cite web|url= https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=758237&partId=1|title= coin-sword.|date=2020|access-date=1 March 2020|author= Unlisted|publisher= The British Museum|language=en}}Justus Doolittle (edited and revised by Paxton Hood), "[https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=gIfVAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&authuser=0&hl=en_GB Social Life of the Chinese. A Daguerrotype of Daily Life in China]" (London: Sampson Low, Son, and Marston, 1868). Pages 563 to 565. In feng shui, these coin-swords are often hung to frighten away demons and evil spirits. Chinese talismans of swordsmen usually depict one of the Taoist immortals Zhong Kui or Lu Dongbin. Swordsmen also appear on zodiac charms, Bagua charms, elephant chess pieces, lock charms, and other Chinese numismatic charms. Another person who appears on Chinese amulets is Zhenwu, who is regarded as the perfect warrior.Munsterberg, Hugo. 1949. A Short History of Chinese Art. Mich. State Col. Press, East Lansing. (Philosophical Library, New York city) XIV + 225 pp. + 50 pls.Munsterberg, Hugo. 1972. The Art of China. Tuttle, Rutland and Tokyo. 234 pp.Needham, Joseph. 1956. Science and Civilisation in China, vol. 2. History of Scientific Thought. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. XIV + 697 pp.Kung Fu Magazine.com [http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=612 The Feng Shui of Sword Display – A place to hang your sword] By Wilson Sun (with Gigi Oh & Gene Ching). Published: 2005. Retrieved: 25 June 2018.Wofs.com [https://www.wofs.com/index.php/mentors-mainmenu-35/63-chung-kwei-the-protector-against-evil-spirits1 Chung Kwei – 'The Protector Against Evil Spirits'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628234200/https://www.wofs.com/index.php/mentors-mainmenu-35/63-chung-kwei-the-protector-against-evil-spirits1 |date=28 June 2018 }} by Sky. – Part II: Protective Feng Shui with Chung Kwei. Retrieved: 25 June 2018.

A common inscription on Chinese sword charms is qū xié jiàng fú (驅邪降福, "Expel evil and send down good fortune [happiness]"), but most commonly these charms feature inscriptions or "imperial orders"/"edicts" (敕令, chì lìng) commanding demons and evil spirits to be expelled. Sometimes an image of a calamus is used, as the leaves of this plant resemble a sword.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/sword.html|title= Swords and Amulets.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=25 June 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Needham, Joseph, 1971. Science and Civilisation in China, vol. 4. Physics and Physical Technology. Univ. Press, Cambridge. LVII + 931 pp.Needham, Joseph, 1976. Science and Civilisation in China, vol. 5. Chemistry and Chemical Technology. Univ. Press, Cambridge. XXXV + 481 pp.O'Neill, John P. and Katherine Stoddert Gilbert, Eds. 1980. Treasures from the Bronze Age of China. An Exhibition from the People's Republic of China. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Ballantine Books), New York. 192 pp.Silcock, Arnold. 1972. Introduction to Chinese Art and History. Greenwood Press, Westport, Conn. XVII + 258 pp.

{{Main|Horse coin}}

File:打馬所用的打馬錢.jpg

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, three centimeters in diameter, with a circular or square hole. The horses featured on these coins are depicted in various positions. Their historical use is unknown, though it is speculated that they were used as game board pieces or gambling counters. Horse coins were most often manufactured from copper or bronze, though there are a few documented cases of manufacture from animal horn or ivory. The horse coins produced during the Song dynasty are considered to be of the best quality and craftsmanship and tend to be made from better metal than those which followed.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/horse.html|title= Horse Coins – 馬錢.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=27 March 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

Horse coins often depicted famous horses from Chinese history, while commemorative horse coins would also feature riders. An example is the coin "General Yue Yi of the State of Yan" which commemorates a Yan attempt to conquer the city of Jimo.{{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|access-date=27 March 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

File:91643 SMVK OM objekt 118379.jpg.]]

The game of xiangqi (a.k.a. Chinese chess) was originally played with either metallic or porcelain pieces, and these were often collected and studied by those with an interest in Chinese cash coins,History of Chess. [http://history.chess.free.fr/xiangqi.htm Xiangqi, Chinese Chess – Les échecs chinois]. Published: 30 July 2012. Retrieved: 29 April 2018.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. charms and horse coins. These coins are regarded as a type of Chinese charm and are divided into the following categories:History of Chess [http://history.chess.free.fr/xiangqi-old-pieces.htm Old Xiangqi pieces – Anciennes pièces de Xiangqi]. Published: 25 August 2011 Modified: 25 March 2014. Retrieved: 29 April 2018.Carolus Chess [https://sites.google.com/site/caroluschess/chess-and-game-variants/xiangqi/ancient-xiangqi-pieces Ancient Xiangqi Pieces Introduction to Chinese Xiangqi Chess] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326231413/https://sites.google.com/site/caroluschess/chess-and-game-variants/xiangqi/ancient-xiangqi-pieces |date=26 March 2020 }} by Carolus. Retrieved: 29 April 2018.Chotscho [Facsimile Reproduction of Important Findings of the First Royal Prussian Expedition to Turfan in East Turkistan] (1913) vol.1 page 218.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: 2 May 2018.

• Elephants (象)
• Soldiers (卒)
• Generals (将)
• Horses (马)
• Chariots (車)
• Guards (士)
• Canons (炮)
• Palaces (宫)
• Rivers (河)

The earliest known Xiangqi pieces date to the Chongning era (1102–1106) of the Song dynasty and were unearthed in the province of Jiangxi in 1984. Xianqi pieces were also found along the Silk Road in provinces like Xinjiang and were also used by the Tanguts of the Western Xia dynasty.{{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|access-date=29 April 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Tuttle Publishing – Chinese Chess: An Introduction to China's Ancient Game of Strategy by H. T. Lau. Publication date: 15 August 2003. {{ISBN|978-0804835084}}.{{cite web|url= http://babelstone.blogspot.nl/2008/07/tangut-chess.html?m=1|title= Tangut Chess.|date= 24 July 2008|access-date= 29 April 2018|work= Andrew West (魏安) for BabelStone|archive-date= 17 May 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180517005145/http://babelstone.blogspot.nl/2008/07/tangut-chess.html?m=1|url-status= dead}}

During the Song dynasty, Chinese numismatic charms were cast that depict people playing the sport of cuju, a form of football. These charms display four images of football players in various 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.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/07/17/chinese-football-charm-2/|title= Chinese Football Charm.|date=17 June 2011|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}#112 (2011) of "China Numismatics" (中國錢幣).{{explain|date=January 2020|What qualifies these as charms? Were they used for gambling on games or believed to offer good fortune in a game?}}

During the late Qing dynasty, cast coinage was slowly replaced by machine-struck coinage. At the same 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. There are three 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 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 side of the coin. Modern numismatists haven't determined the meaning, purpose, or origin of these charms. One hypothesis 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 refer to death. Another hypotheses suggests that these coins were gambling tokens. A third proposes that these coins were 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".{{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|access-date=15 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

In November 2018, Dr. Helen Wang of the British Museum posted an article on the website Chinese money matters where she noted that the British Museum was in possession of Chinese talismans that featured designs based on paizi (牌子). According to Wang, the Chinese author Dr. {{interlanguage link|Alex Chengyu Fang|zh|方称宇}} mentions these charms as "Hanging plaques and charms of unusual shapes" (掛牌與異形錢) in his 2008 book Chinese Charms: Art, Religion and Folk Belief (中國花錢與傳統文化), and also notes that some of these pieces depict lingpai (令牌). Wang also mentions that the American Gary Ashkenazy noted examples of "pendant charms" (挂牌) with these designs on his Primaltrek website. Based on later comments made by Andrew West Tangut characters appeared on paizi produced in the Western Xia and comments by Fang made on Twitter were noted by Wang that paizi inspired designs not only appeared on rectangular talismans but also on cash coin-shaped charms where the paizi is featured directly above the square centre hole, and often feature Chinese zodiacs in their designs. The British Museum is also in possession of Chinese talismans with these designs which they acquired from the Tamba Collection (which was originally in the hands of Kutsuki Masatsuna, 1750–1802).{{cite web|url= https://chinesemoneymatters.wordpress.com/2018/11/07/55-paizi-printed-colophons-and-chinese-charms/|title= 55. Paizi – printed colophons and Chinese charms.|date=7 November 2018|access-date=2 December 2018|author= Dr. Helen Wang|publisher= Chinese Money Matters (British Museum).|language=en}}See Helen Wang, 'How did Kutsuki Masatsuna's coins come to the British Museum?', in Catalogue of the Japanese Coin Collection (pre-Meiji) at the British Museum, with special reference to Kutsuki Masatsuna (British Museum Research Publication 174, 2010).

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 have "charm-like qualities" and were treated as charms by some people.Anythinganywhere.com [http://www.anythinganywhere.com/commerce/coins/coinpics/chin-qing.htm CHINA, coins of the Qing dynasty, 1644–1911 AD]. Retrieved: 8 May 2018.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)."AN INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE COIN-LIKE CHARMS" by Dr. F. A. Turk of Cornwall, United Kingdom. The Wang Mang era knife coin, with a nominal value of 5,000 cash coins, was often seen as a charm by the people because the character 千 (for 1,000) is very similar to the character 子 which means "son". The inscription of the knife coin could be read as "worth five sons". 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 Chinese culture. Another Shu Han era coin contained the inscription 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 a coin was issued with the inscription fēng huò (豐貨) which could be translated as "(the) coin of abundance"; possessing it was believed to be economically beneficial, and it was popularly known as the "cash of riches".Moore, Ed. – Introduction to the Cash Coins of China, 1996.Remmelts, A.A. – Chinesische Käschmünzen. (in German)

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 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 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 against evil spirits and demons because the Manchu word "gung" looked similar to the broadsword used by the Chinese God of war, Emperor Guan.Hong Xi Wan Qian Ji (Curio Coin Collection) 344p, 1986Kainz, C. Chinesischen Tempelmünzen 72pp, 1895R1974 (in German)

The commemorative kāng xī tōng bǎo (康熙通寶) cast for the Kangxi Emperor's 60th birthday in 1713 was believed to have "the powers of a charm" immediately when it entered circulation. It contains a slightly different version of the Hanzi symbol "熙" at the bottom of the cash, which lacked the vertical line common at the left part of the character; the part of this symbol which was usually inscribed as "臣" has the middle part written as a "口" instead. Notably, the upper left area of the symbol "通" contains a single dot as opposed to the usual two dots used during this era.{{relevance inline|date=January 2020|Is there any meaning to this or is this simply for identification purposes?}} Several myths were attributed to this coin over the following 300 years; one of these myths was that the coin was cast from golden statues of the 18 disciples of the Buddha, which earned this coin the nicknames "the Lohan coin" and "Arhat money". It was given to children as yā suì qián (壓歲錢) during Chinese new year, some women wore it as an engagement ring, and in rural Shanxi young men wore this like golden teeth. The coin was made from a copper alloy but it was not uncommon for people to enhance the coin with gold leaf.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/charmfeatures.html|title= Chinese Coins with Charm Features.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=8 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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: 8 May 2018. Copyright © 1997 – 2015 – R & T Enterprises Ltd.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: 8 May 2018.

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. These coins are often considered to be among the most beautiful Chinese cash coins because of their "slender gold" script (瘦金書) which was written by Emperor Huizong. This coin was used to make star charms because the word guān means star gazing and is a compound word for astronomy and astrology.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/05/27/chinese-star-charm/|title= Chinese Star Charm.|date=27 May 2011|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

{{See also|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) are Chinese cash coins cast under the Kangxi Emperor,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: 9 December 2011. Retrieved: 12 May 2018.Petit, Karl – Essai sur la Numismatique Chinoise, 1974 (in French) a Manchu Emperor known for his poetry who wrote the work Illustrations of Plowing and Weaving (耕織圖) in 1696. The coins produced under the Kangxi Emperor all had the obverse inscription Kāng Xī Tōng Bǎo (康熙通寶) and had the Manchu character {{ManchuSibeUnicode|ᠪᠣᠣ}} (Boo, building) on the left side of the square hole and the name of the mint on the right. As the name Kangxi was composed of the characters meaning "health" (康) and "prosperous" (熙)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.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 30 October 2011 @ 9:36 pm in North America | No Comments. Retrieved: 12 May 2018.Cresswell, O.D. – Chinese Cash.Jorgensen, Holger – Old Coins of China: A Guide to Their Identirfication Beginner catalog of 394 types with reduced hand drawings. the Kāng Xī Tōng Bǎo cash coins were viewed as having auspicious properties. As the cash coins were produced at twenty-three mints, some people placed these coins together to form poems in adherence to the rules of Classical Chinese poetry. These coins were always placed together to form the following poems:{{cite web|url= http://www.transasiart.com/Numismatique/numismatique_chine/amulettes/monnaies%20amulettes/ncnamumakx262.htm|title= Amulette au poème de Kang Xi – Charm inscribed with Kang Xi's poem – Droit : Tong Fu Lin Dong Jiang, Xuan Yuan Su Ji Chang 同福臨東江, 宣原蘇薊昌, Revers : Ning He Nan Guang Zhe, Tai Gui Xia Yun Zhang 寧河南廣浙, 台貴峽雲漳. – Laiton, diam. 52 mm.|date=14 September 2015|access-date=9 September 2020|author= François Thierry de Crussol (蒂埃里)|publisher= TransAsiart|language=fr}}

The strung "charm" of twenty coins, also known as "set coins" (套子錢), was seen as inconvenient to carry. Charms were thus produced that had ten of the twenty mint marks on each side of the coin. These charms were also distinguished from the actual cash coins by having round holes. They were sometimes painted red, as a lucky colour, and sometimes had inscriptions wishing for good fortunes such as:

Kāng Xī Tōng Bǎo cash coins produced at the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Public Works in the capital city of Beijing are excluded from these poems.{{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|access-date=12 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Sportstune.com [http://www.sportstune.com/chinese/coins/kanghsi/kanghsipoem.html Kang Hsi Poem] by John Ferguson. Retrieved: 12 May 2018.

On 1 February 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 Hainanese 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 {{convert|530|m2}}. The collection of the museum contains both Chinese coins and paper money and has more than two thousand Chinese numismatic charms dating from the Han dynasty to the Republic of China.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2015/02/13/chinese-numismatic-charms-museum/ |title= Chinese Numismatic Charms Museum.|date=13 February 2015|access-date=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}

File:095 20100911 bt shanghai museum (4987178352).jpg period charm with Khitan script on display at the Shanghai Museum.]]

Liao dynasty charms are Chinese numismatic charms produced during the Khitan Liao dynasty that are written in Khitan script and, unlike Liao dynasty coins, were read counter-clockwise. Because Khitan script hasn't been completely deciphered, these rare charms aren't fully understood by modern experts.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/blog/2011/08/30/liao-dynasty-charm/|title= Liao Dynasty Charm.|date=11 August 2011|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}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.{{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 }} Some Liao dynasty era charms had no inscriptions at all, and are not well understood as the Khitan people may have interpreted certain symbols differently from the Chinese. One of the most well-known Liao dynasty charms is the "Mother of Nine Sons" charm, which bears no inscription. It depicts three groups 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 levels of the imperial examination system. A more recent hypothesis proposes that the person riding the dragon is the Yellow Emperor returning to the heavens and that the people represent the Nine Provinces (九州).Pei Yuan Bo (裴元博) – 3rd issue of "Inner Mongolia Financial Research" (内蒙古金融研究), 2004. (in Mandarin Chinese){{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|access-date=13 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}1st issue of the journal of the Inner Mongolia Numismatic Society (内蒙古金融研究), 2002. (in Mandarin Chinese)辽西夏金元四朝货币图录精选。 (in Mandarin Chinese)

In 2004, a Sui coin was discovered dating to the Northern Song dynasty between 1008 and 1016, with the inscription dà zhōng xiáng fú (大中祥符) on one side and the word "wealth" written in Sui script on the other. This is the only known coin produced by the Sui people and established their differing numismatic tradition from the Han Chinese. Several numismatic charms have been attributed to the Sui people from the Sandu Shui Autonomous County, such as a charm depicting male and female dragons (being transformed from fish) with the twelve Chinese zodiacs and the twelve earthly branches written in Sui script on the reverse. Unlike Chinese charms, Sui charms differentiate by showing male genitalia on the male dragon, which seems to be a common feature for male dragons on numismatic charms of neighboring ethnic groups.{{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|access-date=14 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}Pan Chaolin (潘朝霖) – Guizhou University for Nationalities (贵州民族学院).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)

{{See also|Homophonic puns in Standard Chinese|Chinese astrology|Chinese numerology|Imperial examination in Chinese mythology|List of lucky symbols}}

The implied and hidden meanings of Chinese numismatic talismans (Traditional Chinese: 諧音寓意; Simplified Chinese: 谐音寓意; Pinyin: xié yīn yù yì) refers to the non-obvious meanings ascribed to them. These can take many forms which can involve hidden symbolism in their inscriptions as well as visual puns.China Sage [http://www.chinasage.info/symbols/ Symbols index]. Retrieved: 3 July 2018.

One fundamental difference between cash coins and numismatic charms is that the majority of cash coins have four character inscriptions that usually bear the reign names, indicating the period of production and their nominal value. While most Chinese numismatic charms also have four character inscriptions, these do not serve for identification but contain wishes and desires such as auspicious inscriptions hoping that good fortune or health will arrive to the carrier, or that they'll succeed in the business world or do well on the imperial examination.Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding [http://www.sacu.org/examinations.html (Chinese) Examinations – A unique experiment] ("This is an article taken from our [http://www.sacu.org/mag2002.html China in Focus magazine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726104611/http://www.sacu.org/mag2002.html |date=26 July 2018 }} (2002) written by Justin Crozier.") Retrieved: 26 May 2018. Other inscriptions, however, wish for evil and dark spirits or ghosts to go away, or for misfortune to be averted. Unlike cash coins, Chinese numismatic charms depict a large range of images that are intended to enhance the symbolism of the charm. Charms may also contain visual and spoken puns, the latter of which is facilitated by the nature of Chinese languages in which many written Hanzi characters have the same pronunciation.{{efn|Depending on the local Chinese variety as the pronunciation of Hanzi characters can differ substantially between them.}} The Chinese talismans produced under the reigns of the Ming and Manchu Qing dynasties often used visual and spoken puns. These implied or hidden meanings are referred in Mandarin Chinese as jí xiáng tú àn (吉祥圖案, "lucky pictures" or a rebus). It is not uncommon for Chinese talismans to depict animals, plants, and other things as a substitute for words due to their similarities in pronunciation despite there being no other relationship between them or what is expressed with the imagery.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/impliedmeaning.html |title= The Hidden or Implied Meaning of Chinese Charm Symbols – 諧音寓意 – Differences between Chinese Coins and Chinese Charms.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=22 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}Scribd [https://www.scribd.com/document/305095915/Chinese-Symbols-Puns Chinese Symbols & Puns]. Description: culture. Uploaded by double your. Copyright: © All Rights Reserved. Retrieved: 22 May 2018.SFO Museum (Art Museum – San Francisco) [https://www.flysfo.com/museum/exhibitions/hidden-meanings-symbolism-chinese-art-collections-asian-art-museum-san-francisco Hidden Meanings: Symbolism in Chinese Art from the collections of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture]. Exhibition: May 2010 – January 2011. Retrieved: 22 May 2018.{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/inscriptions.html|title= Chinese Charm Inscriptions.|date=16 November 2016|access-date=22 May 2018|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)|language=en}}Nippon.com [https://www.nippon.com/en/nipponblog/m00124/ Puns, Poetry, and Superstition: Japanese Homophones] by Richard Medhurst ([https://www.nippon.com/en/nipponblog/m00124/#auth_profile_0 Profile]). Published: 15 July 2017. Retrieved: 22 May 2018.China Buddhist Encyclopedia [http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php?title=The_Hidden_or_Implied_Meaning_of_Chinese_Charm_Symbols The Hidden or Implied Meaning of Chinese Charm Symbols] copied from Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture). Retrieved: 1 July 2018.

• Chinese token (alternative currency)
• Bamboo tally
• Cash coins in feng shui
• Coin-sword
• I Ching divination § Coins

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• Books about Chinese numismatic charms in the public domain. (Wikimedia Commons)

• {{Commons category-inline|Chinese numismatic charms}}
• [http://special.artxun.com/show/zhuanti74/ Yansheng coins in ancient China] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106053944/http://special.artxun.com/show/zhuanti74/ |date=6 January 2009 }}

{{Witchcraft}}

{{Chinese exonumia}}

{{Chinese currency and coinage}}

{{Asian numismatic charms}}

{{Chinese paper money}}

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Category:Amulets

Category:Talismans