Shangui Coin: The Ancient Chinese Taoist Talisman

The Shangui Coin (山鬼花钱) is a type of Chinese charm coin (厌胜钱, Yansheng Qian) used primarily during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912). Unlike regular currency, these coins were not used for commerce but served as Taoist talismans for protection, blessings, and warding off evil spirits.

Design & Symbolism
– Obverse (Front): Typically inscribed with “Shangui” (山鬼, “Mountain Spirit”) or Taoist incantations, invoking divine power.
– Reverse (Back): Often features Bagua (Eight Trigrams), celestial constellations, or auspicious symbols like dragons and phoenixes.
– Material: Mostly bronze or brass, sometimes gilded for ceremonial use.

Purpose & Cultural Significance
– Protective Amulet: Believed to guard against ghosts, disasters, and misfortune.
– Taoist Influence: Linked to folk religion and Daoist mysticism, blending Chinese cosmology with spiritual beliefs.
– Historical Use: Carried by travelers, hung in homes, or buried in foundations for feng shui purposes.

Modern Relevance
Today, Shangui Coins are highly collectible, appearing in auctions and antique markets. They remain symbols of Chinese folklore and spiritual heritage, valued by historians and numismatists alike.

Shangui Coin, Chinese charm coin, Taoist talisman, Qing Dynasty amulet, Yansheng Qian, antique Chinese coin.