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{{Short description|Chinese numismatic charm}}
{{About|Chinese talismans|knife-shaped currency|Knife money}}
[[File:Coin Sword.jpg|thumb|right|A Chinese coin sword-shaped talisman made from [[Qing dynasty coinage|Qing dynasty era cash coins]] on display at the [[Museum of Ethnography, Sweden]]]]
'''Coin-swords''' (alternatively spelt as ''coin swords''), or '''cash-swords''', are a type of [[Chinese numismatic charm]]s that are a form of [[feng shui]] talisman that were primarily used in [[southern China]] to ward off [[evil spirit]]s and malicious influences, especially those inducing fever.{{Sfn|Doolittle|1868|p=563}} These coin-swords are also often used in [[Taoism|Taoist]] rituals. Coin-swords are considered an "evil-warding sword" ({{zh|c=避邪劍|p= bì xié jiàn}}) in China.<ref name="FengshuiedCoin-Swords">{{cite web|url= https://www.fengshuied.com/coin-sword|title= The Chinese Coin Sword Is A Tool That Combats Aggressive Sha Chi.|date=8 January 2020|accessdate=1 March 2020|author= Unlisted|publisher= Fengshuied!|language=en}}</ref>
Coin-swords usually consist of [[Qing dynasty coinage|Qing dynasty era cash coins]], specifically from the [[Kangxi Emperor|Kangxi]] and [[Qianlong Emperor|Qianlong]] eras, but may also be made from older cash coins.
Coin-swords were also often used by [[overseas Chinese]] communities, such as [[Chinese Americans|those living in the United States]] or [[Chinese Canadians|in Canada]], during the 19th and early 20th centuries and merchants and individuals would often purchase cash coins to bring them to these overseas communities to make them into [[wedding gift]]s.<ref name="Noncurrency-functions-of-Chinese-wen-in-America-1992">{{cite web|url= https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF03373533|title= The noncurrency functions of Chinese ''wen'' in America.|date=1 June 1992|accessdate=6 August 2023|author= Marjorie Kleiger Akin|publisher= [[Historical Archaeology (journal)|Historical Archaeology]]|language=en}}</ref> Coin swords were commonly given to newlyweds to hang over the marriage bed as a means to insure bliss and harmony.<ref>ARMENTROUT-MA, EVE (1984) ''Chinese Popular Religion''. Booklet to accompany exhibit of the same name. C. E. Smith Anthropology Museum, [[California State University]], [[Hayward, California|Hayward]], [[California]].</ref><ref name="Noncurrency-functions-of-Chinese-wen-in-America-1992"/> These coin-swords are typically an approximate length of 35&nbsp;cm to 50&nbsp;cm and require a minimum of 50 coins to make, while the older, larger, and more elaborately decorated coin-swords would typically contain around 150 cash coins.<ref name="Noncurrency-functions-of-Chinese-wen-in-America-1992"/>
== Names ==
In [[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin Chinese]], coin-swords are known by various names such as ''bixiejian'' (辟邪劍 / 辟邪剑, "evil-averting sword", of which they are a sub-type), ''qianjian'' (錢劍 / 钱剑, "coin-sword"), ''guqianjian'' (古錢劍 / 古钱剑, "ancient coin-sword" ), and ''tongqianjian'' (銅錢劍 / 铜钱剑, "copper coin-sword").<ref name="Chinese-Money-Matters-Chinese-Coin-Sword-in-Durham">{{cite web|url= https://chinesemoneymatters.wordpress.com/2021/03/01/80-a-chinese-coin-sword-in-durham/|title= 80. A CHINESE COIN-SWORD IN DURHAM - Guest post by Anna N. Crowther.|date=1 March 2021|accessdate=21 March 2021|author= Anna N. Crowther|publisher= Chinese Money Matters ([[British Museum]]) |language=en}}</ref>
== Composition of coin-swords ==
Chinese coin-swords generally consist of either one or two iron rods as a foundation with real or replica [[Cash (Chinese coin)|Chinese cash coins]] fastened together with a string, a cord, or a wire which are usually coloured red.<ref name="BritishMuseumCoin-Swords">{{cite web|url= https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=758237&partId=1|title= coin-sword.|date=2020|accessdate=1 March 2020|author= Unlisted|publisher= The [[British Museum]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms">{{cite web|url= http://primaltrek.com/sword.html|title= Swords and Amulets.|date=16 November 2016|accessdate=1 March 2020|work= Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture)}}</ref> While the thread is usually red, it may sometimes also be yellow or gold as these are considered to be the colours of royalty.<ref name="FengshuiedCoin-Swords"/>
Coin-swords generally consist of:
* 18 Chinese cash coins located on the surface of the coin-blade that is 3 cash coins thick.<ref name="FengshuiedCoin-Swords"/>
* 5 Chinese cash coins on each side of the hilt that is usually 3 coins thick.<ref name="FengshuiedCoin-Swords"/>
* 6 Chinese cash coins from the hilt to the butt of the handle that is usually 3 cash coins thick.<ref name="FengshuiedCoin-Swords"/>
* 1 Chinese cash coin on each side of the handle butt that is usually 3 cash coins thick.<ref name="FengshuiedCoin-Swords"/>
A typical Chinese coin-sword is about 0.6 meter, or about 2 feet in the [[imperial units|imperial system of units]], long and consists of around one hundred [[copper-alloy]] Chinese cash coins.<ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/> In superstition it is usually considered better for all the Chinese cash coins strung together in the coin-sword to have been produced during the reign of only a single [[Emperor of China|Chinese emperor]],<ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/> and may not be mixed with cash coins from other dynasties.<ref name="FengshuiedCoin-Swords"/> [[Ancient Chinese coinage|Ancient Chinese cash coins]] are also generally preferred over more modern ones.<ref name="BritishMuseumCoin-Swords"/>
Coin-swords are constructed out of three different kinds of things, each of which is regarded as a preventive of evil spirits in feng shui.<ref name="BritishMuseumCoin-Swords"/>
== Uses in feng shui ==
{{Main|Cash coins in feng shui}}
A popular way sword symbolism in integrated in Chinese numismatic talismans is by stringing actual or replicas of cash coins into a sword-shape.<ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/> In [[feng shui]], these coin-swords are often hung to frighten away demons and evil spirits.<ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/> Coin-swords are frequently hung above the bed, on residential walls, on the front and the outside of the bridal bed-curtain, or above the windows of a building.<ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/><ref name="BritishMuseumCoin-Swords"/> It is believed that [[evil spirit]]s would not dare molest the residents of the house where the coin-sword hangs because the sword resembles that wielded by the [[Taoist immortal]] [[Zhong Kui]], who in [[Chinese mythology]] is famous for being a slayer of evil demons.<ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/> Most Chinese coin-swords consist of [[Qianlong Tongbao]] (乾隆通寳) cash coins.<ref name="BritishMuseumCoin-Swords"/>
The supposed powers of coin-swords do not come from the associated wealth symbolism that usually comes with cash coins.<ref name="FengshuiedCoin-Swords"/> But with the design form of the cash coins used to make the sword, as well as the dynastic origins of the cash coins that carry the Emperor's [[Chinese era name|reign era title]].<ref name="FengshuiedCoin-Swords"/> As such, in feng shui the supposed power of the coin-swords will depend heavily on which Chinese emperor's inscription is written down on the cash coins.<ref name="FengshuiedCoin-Swords"/>
About the time of a woman's confinement after her marriage, a coin-sword is sometimes taken to be hung inside of the bridal bed-curtain, usually in a position that is parallel to the horizon.<ref name="BritishMuseumCoin-Swords"/>
Coin-swords made from [[Qing dynasty coinage|Qing dynasty cash coins]] with the inscription [[Kangxi Tongbao]] (康熙通寶) are considered to be the most effective, this is because the reign of the [[Kangxi Emperor]] of the [[Qing dynasty]] lasted an entire 60-year cycle of the [[Chinese calendar]] and thus according to feng shui cash coins with this inscription represent "[[longevity]]".<ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/> These cash coins are furthermore preferred because the name "Kangxi" means "good health" and "prosperity".<ref name="BritishMuseumCoin-Swords"/>
== Uses in Taoist rituals ==
Share K. Lew, a [[Taoist monk]] trained at the [[White Cloud Monastery]] near [[Beijing]] who moved to [[San Diego]], California, explains that coin-swords are commonly used among overseas Chinese Taoist monks as a substitute for the traditional [[sandalwood]] swords used in China.<ref name="Noncurrency-functions-of-Chinese-wen-in-America-1992"/> These sandalwood swords are used to ward off ghosts and evil spirits and coin-swords fulfil the same purpose in overseas Chinese Taoist rituals.<ref name="Noncurrency-functions-of-Chinese-wen-in-America-1992"/> This is as sandalwood swords are difficult to obtain outside of China.<ref name="Noncurrency-functions-of-Chinese-wen-in-America-1992"/>
== Sword symbolism in Chinese numismatic charms ==
{{See also|Chinese numismatic charm#Implied and hidden meanings of Chinese numismatic charms|Chinese swords|Chinese polearms|Ghosts in Chinese culture}}
[[File:Sword-shaped cash coin talisman.jpg|thumb|right|A modern coin-sword made from replicas of Qing dynasty cash coins in [[Winschoten]], [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]]]]
True [[Chinese numismatic charm]]s and amulets did not begin to appear in China until sometime during the [[Han dynasty]] and the sword, or frequently a pair of swords, as objects invested with power became frequently seen symbols in Chinese numismatic charms from this time on.<ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/>
[[Sword]]s are a common theme on Chinese numismatic charms, and coins were often assembled into sword-shaped talismans. Most Chinese numismatic charms that feature swords often show a single sword.<ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/> According to Chinese legends, the first swords in China appeared under the reign of the legendary [[Yellow Emperor]]. During the [[Spring and Autumn period]], the notion developed that swords could be used against evil spirits and demons.<ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/> Under the [[Liu Song dynasty]] swords became a common instrument in religious rituals, most particularly in Taoist rituals; according to the ''Daoist Rituals of the Mystery Cavern and Numinous Treasure'' (洞玄靈寶道學科儀) it was essential for students of Taoism to be able to forge swords which had the capability to dispel demonic entities.<ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/> Many Taoist sects formed during this period believed that swords could defeat demons and also contained medical properties. Under the [[Sui dynasty|Sui]] and [[Tang dynasty|Tang dynasties]] ritualistic swords constructed of peach wood started to appear. Around this time, Chinese amulets with sword themes began to be produced; often these amulets resembled Chinese cash coins but had crossed swords decorated with ribbons or fillets on them, as the ancient Chinese believed that these items enhanced the powers of the item they were tied to.<ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/> Chinese swords were commonly engraved with imagery representing the [[Big Dipper]], which was believed to have unlimited magical power, and this also became common for charms that featured swords.<ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/>
The image of two swords on Chinese amulets stems from a legend where Taoist leader [[Zhang Daoling]] saw [[Laozi]] appear to him on a mountain in present-day [[Sichuan]] and gave him two swords. Alternatively, two swords can also represent two dragons from a legend where a man named Lei Huan (雷煥) received two swords and gave one to his son Lei Hua (雷華), who lost it in a river; a servant tasked with retrieving it witnessed two coiled and entwined Chinese dragons.<ref>Chinasage.info [http://www.chinasage.info/deities.htm Chinese Deities]. Retrieved: 25 June 2018.</ref><ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/>
Chinese talismans of swordsmen usually depict one of the Taoist immortals Zhong Kui or [[Lu Dongbin]].<ref name="YMAADaoistSwordRituals">{{cite web|url= https://ymaa.com/articles/daoism-and-the-sword|title= Daoism and the Sword (道教和劍, Dao Jiao He Jian).|date=4 October 2010|accessdate=1 March 2020|author= Zhou, Xuan-Yun|publisher= YMAA|language=en}}</ref> Swordsmen also appear on zodiac charms, Bagua charms, elephant chess pieces, lock charms, and other Chinese numismatic charms. Another person who appears on Chinese amulets is [[Zhenwu]], who is regarded as the perfect warrior.<ref>Kung Fu Magazine.com [http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=612 The Feng Shui of Sword Display - A place to hang your sword] By Wilson Sun (with Gigi Oh & Gene Ching). Published: 2005. Retrieved: 25 June 2018.</ref><ref>Wofs.com [https://www.wofs.com/index.php/mentors-mainmenu-35/63-chung-kwei-the-protector-against-evil-spirits1 Chung Kwei - 'The Protector Against Evil Spirits'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628234200/https://www.wofs.com/index.php/mentors-mainmenu-35/63-chung-kwei-the-protector-against-evil-spirits1 |date=2018-06-28 }} by Sky. - Part II: Protective Feng Shui with Chung Kwei. Retrieved: 25 June 2018.</ref><ref name="PrimaltrekSwordSymbolismInChineseCharms"/>
[[Taoist priest]]s use coin-swords because of this symbolism for rituals for ridding evil, a red cloth is then wrapped on the hilt of the sword.<ref name="FengshuiedCoin-Swords"/> Taoist priests can also sometimes use a peach wood sword as an alternative to coin-swords.<ref name="FengshuiedCoin-Swords"/>
== Coin-swords in Western museums ==
Coin-swords can be found in the collections of various museums across the [[Western world]] such as the [[British Museum]] in [[London]] (UK), the [[Durham University]] Archaeology Laboratory Collection (UK), the [[National Museum of American History]] (US), the [[National Museum of Scotland]] (UK), [[Horniman Museum and Gardens]] (UK), the [[Science Museum in London]] (UK), among a large number of other museums.<ref name="Chinese-Money-Matters-Chinese-Coin-Sword-in-Durham"/>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== Sources ==
* {{cite book |last1=Doolittle |first1=Justus |title=Social Life of the Chinese: A Daguerreotype of Daily Life in China |date=1868 |location=London |publisher=S. Low, son, and Marston |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gIfVAAAAMAAJ |language=en |pages=563–565}}
{{Commons category|Chinese coin swords}}
{{Chinese exonumia}}
[[Category:Chinese numismatic charms]]
[[Category:Feng Shui]]