poe divination

{{Short description|Traditional Chinese divination method}}

{{DISPLAYTITLE:{{transliteration|nan|Poe}} divination}}

{{Chinese

| pic = Chinese temple tool chaou b.jpg

| piccap = Poe objects on display at Lukang Tianhou Temple in Taiwan

| picsize =

|title= Poe divination

|t=擲筊 |s=掷筊|l=throwing jiaobei |p=zhìjiǎo|j= |bpmf=ㄓˋㄐㄧㄠˇ|w=

|t2=跋杯 |poj2=poa̍h-poe |tl2=pua̍h-pue |buc2=buăk-buŏi

|t3=問杯|buc3=muóng-buŏi

|t4 = 跌筊仔 | phfs4 = tiet-kâu-é

}}

File:Xingtian Temple - 2013 12 10.webm, Taiwan]]

Poe divination ({{IPA|/pu̯e/}}, from the Hokkien {{zh|t={{linktext|跋桮}}|poj=poa̍h-poe}}, Min Dong BUC: buăk-buŏi, 'cast moon blocks', also written bwa bwei, Mandarin {{zh|t={{linktext|擲筊}}|p=zhì jiǎo / zhí jiǎo|l=throwing poe}}) is a traditional Chinese divination method, in which the diviner throws or drops two small wooden pieces (or occasionally, coins of similar face value and design) on the floor, and interprets the divine answer using the positions of the pieces. This method can be used to tell whether the future course of action the diviner is considering is recommended or not. The pieces, called {{zhi|t={{linktext|桮}}|poj=poe}} (bwei) in Taiwanese or jiaobei in Mandarin, look somewhat like two shells of a clam or bivalve mollusk.[http://kotobank.jp/word/%E3%83%9D%E3%82%A8 Poe (Kotobank)] (in Japanese)

Upon throwing the wooden pieces, {{zhi|poj=poe}} divination often results in three answering positions.

The first is {{zhi|c=聖笅|p=shèng jiǎo}}, when one of the blocks has its flat side facing up and the other has its flat side facing down; this shows the Deity's agreement with the devotee's question or plea.

The second is {{zhi|c=陰笅|p=yīn jiǎo}}, is when both blocks have their curved sides facing up; this shows the Deity's disagreement with the devotee's question or plea. This position may also indicate anger in some cases.

The last would be {{zhi|c=笑笅|p=xiào jiǎo}}, when both blocks have their flat sides facing up; this shows the Deity's amusement at the devotee's question or plea.

A unique, rare result would be the {{zhi|c=站笅|p=zhàn jiǎo}}, which occurs when one of the blocks stands with both its flat and curved sides facing in a horizontal position.

This uncommon position often means the deity is sending a strong message; in this case, devotees sometimes invite temple staff or mediums to determine the meaning of the message.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

Poe divination can be observed at Taoist and Chinese temples, such as Guangdi temples and Mazu temples; while it is most common in China and Taiwan, it is also practiced in the rest of the world.