24 Jul Explained: Fu, Talisman and Calligraphy
A simple explanation for a Fu would be to describe it as a special kind of calligraphy, used as a letter to the divine. The symbol of the Fu is written on paper, folded in a specific way, and can be carried with you. You can visit a Buddhist or Taoist temple to ask a Zen or Taoist master for a Fu. It is a manifestation of the master’s thought power and intention. It requires quite some inner work to be able to create such a powerful Fu.
“The Fu is a manifestation of the master’s thought power and intention.”
It can activate a person’s consciousness on emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. Just as acupuncture needles are used in traditional Chinese medicine, Fu’s are considered “spiritual needles” that allow the physical to connect freely with the mind, enabling the focus on a specific purpose on the spiritual level.
Some people request a Fu for everyday life to protect themselves from accidents, support their business success, or improve their health. A highly honoured Fu is one that removes 100 adversities. There are several thousand types of Fu in use.
Talisman
A talisman is an object that is infused with religious or magical powers, often intended to protect, heal, or bring good fortune. People use talismans in various ways, such as wearing them as jewellery or hanging them on the wall. Talismans are typically inscribed with symbols or texts on materials like metal, stone, or paper.
You might be familiar with the Chinese tradition of sharing annual talismans for Chinese New Year according to the “Ten Thousand Year Calendar.” It’s a common practice for people seeking a good Feng Shui solution, especially if the yearly trigram is not in harmony with them.
Fu symbol
The symbol of a Fu can not only be used as folded paper as a letter, but also as a special kind of calligraphy to support good Feng Shui in the home or office, or to promote e.g. mental or physical health. The Fu symbol can be placed, like a talisman, as a picture on the wall to activate specific purposes of specially installed Feng Shui remedies, such as for harmony, prosperity, protection, longevity, and calming the mind.
Zen master Hakuin
One of the most famous Zen masters, Hakuin Ekaku (1686 – 1768), practiced the art of calligraphy, like many other Zen masters. He began his practice when he was quite young, but he burned all of his brushes and work in his early twenties after a profound realisation. He had seen the calligraphy work of a Zen monk named Taigu (or Ungo, according to some sources), and he was struck by its power, radiance, and natural flow. He realised that this art had nothing to do with technique, but with selflessness and spontaneity.
Only when he was 60 years old did he start to practice this craft seriously again, producing an enormous amount of work. He studied several sources for this art, coming from other Buddhist schools, Shintoism, Taoism, and local religions. Hakuin’s calligraphy was very famous and treasured, often being seen as a powerful talisman. Even today, it seems that many antique shops in Kyoto have at least one work of Hakuin hanging on their wall, as a protection against fire.
Grateful
For me, it is amazing that things come together from Zen and Taoist perspectives in my life. I am so very thankful for all the support I receive from my masters and grandmasters to be able to be part of these lineages.