珓 (jiào) - Divination blocks — two crescent-shaped wooden or bamboo

珓Tone 4

jiào ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

健傑

珓 · jiào

Divination blocks — two crescent-shaped wooden or bamboo pieces used in traditional Chinese fortune-telling, thrown to determine answers from deities.

Divination blocks — two crescent-shaped wooden or bamboo

Usage highlights

Divination blocksThrow the blocksFavorable blocksNegative blocksDivination block castingBamboo divination blocks

Synonyms

  • 杯珓— divination blocks
  • 筊杯— bamboo divination blocks
  • 圣杯— favorable blocks (when one flat, one convex)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The temple medium threw the divination blocks (掷珓) to seek guidance.
  • The blocks landed as one flat and one convex side (圣珓), indicating a positive answer.
  • Using divination blocks (杯珓) is common in folk religious practices.
  • The fortune teller interpreted the fall of the blocks (珓杯).

Collocations

  • Divination blocks(珓杯)
  • Throw the blocks(掷珓)
  • Favorable blocks(圣珓)
  • Negative blocks(阴珓)
  • Divination block casting(掷珓卜)
  • Bamboo divination blocks(竹珓)

Idioms

  • Throw the blocks to ask the deity(掷珓问神)
  • The blocks show three laughs(珓现三笑)
  • Divine by casting blocks(投珓占卜)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used in Chinese folk religion and Taoist practices for communicating with deities.
  • Typically made from bamboo root or wood, shaped like crescent moons.
  • Three possible outcomes: shengjiao (one flat, one convex - positive), yangjiao (both convex - neutral), yinjiao (both flat - negative).
  • Commonly used in temples for important decisions or seeking divine approval.

FAQ