Rare and Precious Sacred Item: Lightning-Struck Wood "Feng Zhi" (By Imperial Decree) Jing Tang Mu

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We appreciate your understanding and support. 💛 Our sole intention is to provide more natural and high-quality products to everyone. The increase in shipping fees is a last resort, and we hope for your understanding and continued support. Product Dimensions (handmade items may have slight variations and may not be perfectly square; please be cautious if this is a concern): Length: Approx. 15cm Width: Approx. 3.5cm About the Jing Tang Mu (惊堂木 - Startling Hall Wood): The Jing Tang Mu is also known as the Xing Mu (醒木 - Awakening Wood), Jie Fang (界方 - Boundary Square), and Fu Chi (撫尺 - Smoothing Ruler). It is a rectangular piece of hardwood, with distinct edges and corners. The user holds it with their middle fingers, lifts it slightly, pauses in the air for a moment, and then brings it down sharply to strike a surface. In ancient times, officials used it to strike the table, serving to intimidate criminals. It was also used to vent frustration or to quiet those in the hall below. It is one of the ritual implements used in Taoism, also called the Zhen Tan Mu (鎮壇木 - Altar Suppressing Wood). Zhen Tan Mu can be made from various materials, with those crafted from lightning-struck wood possessing the strongest deterrent power. Functions of the Jing Tang Mu: Deterring Evil Spirits During Taoist rituals, the Zhen Tan Mu is typically wielded by the officiating master. The method involves holding the Zhen Tan Mu in the right hand and striking it forcefully onto the altar (i.e., the tabletop), producing a loud "crack." This action is akin to the "Jing Tang Mu" used in ancient Chinese yamen (government offices), both serving to intimidate criminals (ghosts, evil spirits, etc.). According to Taoist rites, an altar should typically be adorned with at least six essential ritual implements: the treasure sword (peach wood sword), command flag, command arrow, command tablet, heavenly lotus ruler, and Zhen Tan Mu. During the ordination ceremony in the Zhengyi school of Taoism, new disciples are presented with these implements along with their Taoist names, official positions, and certifications. Issuing Commands When performing rituals, a Taoist master holding up the Zhen Tan Mu signifies their authority to the heavenly soldiers and generals, as well as the presiding deities awaiting instructions below the altar. It indicates that they have received authorization from the "Supreme Emperor of Heaven" and are currently performing a ritual to subdue demons and eliminate evil under the Emperor's Decree. This prompts the heavenly soldiers and generals to provide their full assistance, hence it is also referred to as "Feng Zhi" (奉旨 - By Imperial Decree). Ordinary individuals can also use it. Those with sensitive constitutions might feel something is amiss at times. Striking the table with it is said to not only deter demons and spirits but also startle deities into noticing what is happening. Alternatively, it can be placed on the head without striking the table. About Lightning-Struck Wood (Lei Ji Mu): Due to character limits below, this is an excerpt. For a complete introduction to lightning-struck wood, please visit other listings for our lightning-struck wood bracelets! We will be gradually introducing a series of lightning-struck wood items. When it comes to lightning-struck wood, I've wanted to find this material for a long time. There's a lot of it from mainland China, but here's the problem: it seems to be readily available. The issue is, how can there be so much lightning-struck wood? True lightning-struck wood is best made from peach wood (peach wood itself wards off evil, and lightning-struck peach wood is even more potent). Next best is jujube wood, then sandalwood, and others are similar. And since it's from mainland China, the product's authenticity needs careful consideration. Items are expensive, shipping is costly, and returns are difficult. I haven't been able to find any in Taiwan either. Some people say obtaining lightning-struck wood isn't difficult; they don't realize that in Taiwan, forests are protected by the state. Even if you find a piece of lightning-struck wood in the mountains, you cannot simply cut it down, as it is illegal. Furthermore, many people say there's plenty of lightning-struck wood – no, no, no. For wood to be truly lightning-struck, it must have been struck by lightning and *still be alive* (yes, alive, with leaves still attached, for it to be genuine lightning-struck wood). (Others might say it's simple: buy land in a lightning-prone area and plant peach or jujube trees; eventually, they'll get struck, right? As I said before, it must be struck by lightning and *still be alive* to be genuine. And do you think trees in lightning-prone areas get struck easily? From tens of thousands of meters up, the trees below look smaller than ants, right? The probability is very small. Go ahead and buy land and plant trees if you don't believe me; if you find any, call me to see it (I want to see the raw wood), and I'll buy it from you!) In short, I finally found it! I paid a significant shipping fee to confirm the authenticity and place a large order for genuine lightning-struck wood. The lightning-struck wood in this store is guaranteed to be authentic. It is imported (not from mainland China) and is jackfruit wood. It was originally used for making temple altars, and the remaining parts were bought out by my supplier (the photos were taken by the supplier). For those with sensitive energy fields or psychic abilities, the energy of lightning-struck wood feels like a comfortable, smooth electrical current flowing through the body, not a sharp or uncomfortable sensation. However, those with unclean energies will not like its energy (explained below). Introduction to Lightning-Struck Wood: Many people today, witnessing the Taoist use of lightning-struck wood in recent centuries, assume it is exclusively for Taoist practices. However, over 2,500 years ago, the Buddha's scriptures already alluded to lightning-struck wood being used for Vajra pestles. For example, Volume II of the "Tantric Sutra" (陀羅尼經) discusses the making of a five-pronged Vajra pestle: "It may also be made from jujube heart struck by lightning (i.e., jujube wood struck by lightning). Before the Vajra is made, the materials must first be enchanted one hundred and eight times with bronze..." The "Susiddhi Sutra" (蘇悉地经) describes the production of pestles: "For all Vajra-related matters, wood struck by heavenly fire (i.e., lightning) should be used. This could be *Amaltas* wood, white sandalwood, or red sandalwood. Carve any one of these woods into a three-pronged Vajra pestle. When performing *Homa* or recitation, hold it in the left hand. It can accomplish all tasks and is thus called a pestle..." The "Jingyou Six Renshen Dingjing" (景佑六壬神定經), Volume II, "Chapter Thirty: Explanation of Formations," states: "'The Mysterious Woman says: The method for creating formations uses the *fengzi* as heaven. *Fengzi* refers to a separate branch of a *feng* tree that grows large branches from its side, appearing at a distance to be level with the parent tree, but at close inspection, at different heights. It also uses the heart of the jujube tree as earth, symbolizing the principles of heaven and earth, and the positive force. The *feng* tree is the essence of many trees, and the jujube tree is the envoy of trees. Among all things, these are the most spiritual.' The commentary on the 'Thunder God's Killing Laws' states: 'There are three types of formations. The highest quality wood for formations is *pilipili* jujube heart (i.e., jujube wood struck by lightning), followed by sandalwood, and then persimmon wood. If *pilipili* jujube heart is unavailable, an old axle can be used as a secondary option; however, one must choose a good quality one...'" Lightning-struck wood, also known as "evil-warding wood," is considered the supreme divine wood in Taoist magic. The book "Wan Fa Gui Zong" (萬法歸宗) lists it as the primary sacred wood for crafting ritual implements. This demonstrates that both Buddhism and Taoism greatly value lightning-struck wood, with the heartwood of lightning-struck wood being considered the highest grade. Why is lightning-struck wood so highly regarded? This is likely related to the deities who control lightning, such as the Thunder God and Thunder Mother. Expert research articles like "A Study of the Thunder God and Thunder Mother" exist, and we will not elaborate further here. The Thunder God is a deity of justice who does not strike those who do good but rather strikes deviant demons or wicked individuals. This can be found in historical records like the "Song Dynasty History" (宋史) and the "Thunder God's Killing Laws" (雷公撮殺律). It is evident that the Thunder God does not strike merely due to the physical need for electrical discharge but adheres to certain laws. This principle is widely known; even common folk often curse wrongdoers by saying, "May heaven strike you with lightning!" In ancient times, as people interacted with nature, they gradually recognized the powerful energy that lightning-struck wood possessed after being struck by lightning. This energy could drive away evil, punish the wicked, and amplify magical power to its utmost. Therefore, lightning-struck wood has been secretly sought after by practitioners since ancient times to harness its spiritual power and enhance their own abilities. Wearing it not only repels malevolent energies but also brings auspiciousness and good fortune, which is why ancient people treasured it as a precious item. Legend has it that in the folklore of Northeast China, common people widely believe that lightning-struck wood, split by heavenly lightning, is deeply feared by ghosts and spirits, making it the most potent item for warding off evil. This is because the residual imprint of the Thunder God and Thunder Mother's power to suppress spirits remains on the wood, exerting a powerful deterrent effect on them, making it suitable as a protective item for a residence. Some folk shamans and celestial beings also fear lightning-struck wood, as the "possessions" on shamans are often low-level spirits such as vengeful ghosts, foxes, weasels, snakes, and pythons. Common folk further believe that trees felled by lightning possess evil-warding properties. This is because the lightning has already driven away any ghosts and evil spirits from the tree, and other specters, upon seeing it, dare not approach. Thus, in the Northeast region, people often string a piece of lightning-struck wood and wear it on a child's wrist or hang it around their neck, believing this will prevent the child from being "possessed" and make them easier to raise. The lightning-struck wood bracelets in this store are genuine. If you purchase one and do not feel its energy, or are unsure of its authenticity, please have it verified by a reputable spiritual medium or master in your area. If they still declare it to be fake, no problem – return it to me, and I will issue a full refund. Such items are rare, and I am absolutely willing to buy it back. I guarantee that what I sell is absolutely genuine.