Magic-Spells Found Within Chinese Folk-Tales
In the rich and colourful folk-tales of China, magic-spells form a fascinating substrata. These spells often blend ancient wisdom, imagination, and exploration of the unknown - using exaggeration and fiction - to present full-fantasy stories. Here are some typical magic-spells (and their characteristics) found within Chinese folk-tales.
1. Transitional-Transformation Arts
Transitional-Transformation Arts are among the most common spells found within Chinese folk-tales. It usually refers to a person being able to freely change their physical-form or outer-appearance, becoming an animal, plant, or other object. This magic is vividly displayed in the “Journey to the West”, with Sun Wukong's “seventy-two transformations” being a typical manifestation. He can not only transform into various birds and beasts, but also become demons and ghosts, and turn invisible (or become concealed) – which is truly astonishing.
2. Flying
Flying is another widely popular magical spell or mysterious ability. In many folk-tales, Heroes or Immortals gain the ability to fly up into (and through) the air - following the completion of successful self-cultivation – permitting these perfected-beings to freely traverse between the divine-sky and the broad-earth. For example, in "Investiture of the Gods," Nezha's third prince possesses a wind-fire wheel, allowing him to soar through the air by riding on it. The story of Chang'e flying (or ascending) to the Moon Palace - after swallowing a special (gravity-defying) elixir.
3. Divination
Divination was regarded in ancient China as a mystical technique for predicting the future. It predicts fortune and misfortune by observing celestial phenomena, interpreting hexagrams, or using other means. In folk-tales, many wise men (or Daoist holy men and women) are skilled in this technique. They are able to guide people away from confusion and help them avoid misfortune. For example, Zhuge Liang in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is renowned for his exceptional (divination) skills of perceiving that which is generally “unseen”..
4. Exorcism Techniques
Exorcism is mainly used to drive away evil forces or eliminate threatening (or disruptive) energy. In ancient society, people generally believed that various demons, ghosts, and evil forces existed – meaning that exorcism techniques possessed an important place within folk-tales. These spells usually include chanting, drawing talismans, and attaching pictures door-gods to prominent places. The story of Zhong Kui is relevant as this exemplifies the catching ghosts and demons as an important exorcism technique.
5. The Art of Immortality
The Art of Immortality was the ideal embodiment of the ancient Chinese pursuit of Eternal Life. Found withIn folk-tales, many Immortals or Daoist Priests have obtained the secret to immortality through a sustained self-cultivation. They not only remain youthful and vibrant, but have also broken-free from the cycle of birth and death. For example, the story of Qin Shi Huang (Di) (the First Emperor of a Unified China) dispatched Xu Fu “Eastward” to seek the Elixir (Potion) of Immortality exemplifies the longing of the Ancients to seek-out the Art of Immortality.
Religious Perspective
Within the diverse Daoist System (Philosophical and Religious) - the practice of magical arts requires a firm foundation of spiritual merit, adherence to advanced precepts, and authentic lineage transmission - such arts are complex (and even dangerous to the unwary) and cannot be casually employed by the unqualified. Ancient Chinese magical arts constitute a multidimensional cultural phenomenon, encompassing rigorous systems of religious self-cultivation, the unadorned practices of folk sorcery, and romanticized interpretations born of literary imagination. Understanding these arts requires the study of the interface that exists between historical records, religious practices, and legendary tales. Magic spells that are effective are those which align with natural laws and scientific insight - rather than the (inverted) thinking often associated with "superstition" in the West. Although Western mysticism might divert away from the laws of nature in the West - within Chinese Daoism this is not the case (although there are exceptions involving fake schools that seek to exploit the masses for profit). Do not follow fake teachers. If in doubt - do nothing constructively - remain physically "still" and quiet the thought processes. In this way insight will bubble-up from the depths of your being.
Conclusion
The magical-spells in Chinese folk tales not only enrich people's cultural lives but also pass on the traditional culture and values of the Chinese nation. Although most of these spells originate from fiction and imagination, the wisdom and imagination they contain are worth cherishing and passing down. In modern society, we can still draw inspiration and motivation from these stories, exploring and understanding this wondrous world with a more open mind.
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