The source of money for mountain ghosts
The Mountain Ghost is depicted as a beautiful and mysterious mountain deity, who, not having been officially ennobled by the Heavenly Emperor, is thus known as a ghost. She excels at upholding justice for the people, guarding the creatures of the mountains, and together with the Earth God, protects the land. The image of the Mountain Ghost has therefore become a symbol of justice and nobility in folk legends. It is believed that the Mountain Ghost possesses the divine power to exorcise evil and bring peace, and thus people began to cast her talismans into coins, which they carry with them for her protection. In Taoism, these coins are known as "Yansheng qian" or "Shagui qian" (literally, "ghost-killing money"). Taoist priests believe that by casting and wearing these coins, they can dispel evil spirits and protect the safety of individuals and families. In fact, the term "Shagui" (ghost-killing) is often misread as "Shangui" (Mountain Ghost), hence the colloquial name "Shangui qian" (Mountain Ghost coin). As a talisman under the Taoist Thunder Ritual faith system, the Mountain Ghost coin is regarded as a powerful weapon to exorcise evil and avoid calamities. Its obverse is inscribed with charms such as "Mountain Ghost, thunder smites evil, subdues demons, and exorcises devils," symbolizing the invocation of the fire of heavenly thunder to vanquish demons, exorcise evil, subdue devils, and protect people's tranquility. This power enables the Mountain Ghost coin to effectively dispel the evil and inauspiciousness around it, bringing a sense of peace and serenity to the wearer and their surroundings. The Mountain Ghost coin combines the righteous energy of the copper coin with the mysterious power of the Mountain Ghost talisman, enhancing one's aura and boosting confidence in social and professional settings. Its charms and eight trigrams symbolize the influx of wealth, aiding in the growth of prosperity. The image of the Mountain Ghost protects the wearer from the machinations of malevolent individuals, maintaining clarity in interpersonal relationships. When traveling or driving, it dispels inauspicious energies, ensuring a safe journey. Hanging it at home serves to ward off evil and protect the family. With its meanings and power, the Mountain Ghost coin is widely loved by the people, symbolizing the pursuit of warding off evil, avoiding calamities, and a better life.
In many stories, the Mountain Spirit Coin plays a role in protecting and blessing people. For instance, a brave hunter encountered ferocious beasts and evil spirits deep in the mountains, but after he chanced upon a Mountain Spirit Coin and brought it home, his hunting became more successful, and he never encountered danger again. There is also a legend that a merchant who carried a Mountain Spirit Coin on his journey would be blessed with safety and prosperity; farmers would hang it on their eaves or by the kang (a traditional heating platform in northern China) to ward off evil and ensure harmony in their homes.
There is a tale that when bandits or malevolent entities caused havoc, the Mountain Spirit Coin would exhibit magical powers. For example, when a group of bandits bullied villagers, the Mountain Spirit transformed into a traveler and tossed his Mountain Spirit Coin to the village elder. Holding the coin, the elder's courage swelled, and he led the villagers to repel the bandits. Later, it was discovered that the bandits were actually plague demons in disguise, bringing with them an epidemic. The Mountain Spirit then used the glow emitted by the Mountain Spirit Coin to purify the toxic mist, heal the water sources, and help the people overcome the crisis of the epidemic.
In many stories, the Mountain Spirit Coin plays a role in protecting and blessing people. For instance, a brave hunter encountered ferocious beasts and evil spirits deep in the mountains, but after he chanced upon a Mountain Spirit Coin and brought it home, his hunting became more successful, and he never encountered danger again. There is also a legend that a merchant who carried a Mountain Spirit Coin on his journey would be blessed with safety and prosperity; farmers would hang it on their eaves or by the kang (a traditional heating platform in northern China) to ward off evil and ensure harmony in their homes.
There is a tale that when bandits or malevolent entities caused havoc, the Mountain Spirit Coin would exhibit magical powers. For example, when a group of bandits bullied villagers, the Mountain Spirit transformed into a traveler and tossed his Mountain Spirit Coin to the village elder. Holding the coin, the elder's courage swelled, and he led the villagers to repel the bandits. Later, it was discovered that the bandits were actually plague demons in disguise, bringing with them an epidemic. The Mountain Spirit then used the glow emitted by the Mountain Spirit Coin to purify the toxic mist, heal the water sources, and help the people overcome the crisis of the epidemic.