筶 (gào) - Divination blocks — crescent-shaped wooden or bamboo blocks

筶Tone 4

gào ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

枫惠

筶 · gào

Divination blocks — crescent-shaped wooden or bamboo blocks used in Chinese folk religion for fortune-telling and seeking divine guidance.

Divination blocks — crescent-shaped wooden or bamboo blocks

Usage highlights

Divination blocksThrow divination blocksDivination block castingReceive divine answerPositive divination block resultNegative divination block result

Synonyms

  • 筶杯— divination blocks (full term)
  • 杯筶— alternative term for divination blocks

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The temple medium cast the divination blocks (掷筶) to consult the deity.
  • A positive answer from the blocks is called 'shengjiao' (圣筶).
  • The ritual requires throwing the blocks three times (三掷筶).
  • The blocks landed with one convex and one concave side (一凸一凹), indicating divine approval.

Collocations

  • Divination blocks(筶杯)
  • Throw divination blocks(掷筶)
  • Divination block casting(掷筶问卜)
  • Receive divine answer(得筶)
  • Positive divination block result(圣筶)
  • Negative divination block result(阴筶)

Idioms

  • Throw blocks to seek divine will(掷筶问神)
  • Three throws determine fortune(三掷定吉凶)
  • Blocks reveal heavenly intent(筶示天意)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Used primarily in Taoist and folk religious rituals for communicating with deities.
  • Typically made from bamboo root or wood, shaped like crescent moons.
  • Interpretation depends on how they land: one convex/one concave = positive, both convex = negative, both concave = ambiguous.
  • Common in temple ceremonies throughout Taiwan, Fujian, and Southeast Asian Chinese communities.

FAQ