Saturday, April 20, 2013

Mystery Object Revealed: Chinese Planchettes, or Spirit-Writing Pens

(Click on images to enlarge.)


Do you recall using a Ouija board or planchette when you were a kid to obtain messages from the beyond? The planchette was the wedge-shaped instrument that connected the user to the spirit world, pointing to letters on the Ouija board, or fitted with a pen, writing directly onto paper.

Spirit writing is also common in Chinese areas, and the mystery object recently presented is in fact a Chinese planchette, called luan-bi or ji-bi. Bi means pen or writing brush, while luan is a type of Phoenix bird, and ji refers to the process of divination. An important distinction is that with luan-bi, the spirit of a specific god is believed to enter the pen, while “departed souls” are usually considered to inspire the Western planchettes.

This planchette (featured in the original What-is-it post) is boldly modeled.


Made from naturally curving tree forks, and carved with dragons, these look like a fancy kind of divining or dowsing rod. In use, the long handles are held by one or two people, and the short leg traces the writing in a tray of sand. Also present are people to record and interpret what the luan-bi has written.

An old photo showing the planchette in use. (Source:  http://www.25977463.org/images/folk2_16.jpg)  


The ceremony and symbolism of these planchettes even precedes their manufacture. They are made of peach (or sometimes willow) wood, to repel malevolent spirits that might affect the writing of the pen. J.J.M de Groot tells us in The Religious System of China that forks cut from the south-east side of the tree are especially feared by specters. The red color also helps to fend off evil spirits.

Additionally, “before being cut off, one or more mighty charms may be carved in the bark of the tree, or attached to it; and during the cutting, efficient spells may be pronounced, commanding the fork to…give clear revelations whenever handled.”

My second example, more delicate in weight and carving.



Sounding like a long-lost relative of Paul Fussell, de Groot suddenly warns us: “Clubs which practise the system are in many cases a shabby lot, their chapels or temples unknown to fame, their spirit-writing only appealing to the very lowest class.”

Feeling somewhat crestfallen and déclassé, I was about to burn my luan-bi before anyone found out about them, but luckily I read further: “But there are many of a better sort….Of such a ji of higher order, the end below the vertex is also nicely carved and gilded, representing the head and scaly neck of a dragon or snake.”

A side-by-side comparison shows differences in the details of the carving.


Most of the planchettes I have seen have dragon heads, but some are plain and a few are adorned with luan-birds at the apex.

A luan-bird headed planchette, ready to write on its tray of sand, with some spares against the wall. (From http://www.ncfta.gov.tw/ncfta_ce/c05/c05020510.aspx?E=SWRlbnRpdHlJRD0yMjA=&S=REAL)


I have placed these luan-bi in a number of locations, together or apart, and they never fail to create a dramatic focal point. Perhaps their strange appearance was originally intended to enhance their spirit messages by visually involving the petitioner. After all, who could doubt oracular predictions emanating from these gilded dragons, manipulated by their bright red handles.

Although not used in pairs, together they create an interesting vignette.


A different shape of planchette, and perhaps my favorite Chinese artifact ever. (Source: http://guanyu.chms.org.tw/ab/ab-2/abb1-25.html)



(Except where noted, all objects and photos property of the author.)

26 comments:

  1. Dear Jim - very interesting - I am not surprised that nobody got the correct answer.

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    1. Hello Rosemary, I thought that perhaps some people might have seen these while visiting Chinese temples. A number of people did seem to realize that there was a religious connection, and a couple even mentioned sand, although in a different way.

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  2. What a fascinating and informative post! They are stunning.

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    1. Hello Jen, I enjoyed finding out about these. Knowing their history makes them even more attractive in my eyes.

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  3. They are so beautiful. I never would have guessed their purpose. Though now that you mention it, they do bear a resemblance to dowsing rods. How interesting!

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    1. Hello Merry Wife, Dowsing was the first think I thought of when I saw these. If you look closely at the luan-bird one, it has long "antennae" at the front--I wonder if those are part of the bird, or are there to improve reception.

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  4. Dearest Jim,
    Wow, this is quite a mistery object and you did solve the big QUESTION. I must admit, when I clicked on your blog's photo, the subtitel of your photo read planchette but still it did not give me any clue.
    The name J.J.M. de Groot caught my attention right away as it sounded so Dutch and also the fact that they use three names, instead of the American first and middle name only. Proves he indeed was Dutch and he did some remarkable work on publishing his books.
    Thanks for such interesting writing!
    Happy weekend to you.
    Mariette

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    1. Hello Mariette, I agree that the word "planchette" has gone out of style, but it is still encountered in séance scenes in old novels, especially those by E.F. Benson.

      Jan Jakob Maria de Groot lived from 1854 to 1921 and was born in Schiedam. His book is extremely detailed and full of anecdote. I don't think that I could read it all at once, but it's fun to look up individual subjects in it.

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  5. Dear Jim,

    Well I never would have guessed it. What interesting objects and a fascinating story to go with it. That is what I like about collecting. Getting the story behind the object and learning a lot about culture - be it past or present, my own or someone else's.

    And I an pleased to think that in an 'itch' emergency, your's could be used as a back scratcher...

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    1. Hello Kirk, I also like objects that have a story behind them, and these can be especially interesting when that story is not immediately obvious from the item's appearance.

      We were joking about using this as a back scratcher, but I really do like it when a new or alternate use is found for an obsolete item, rather than just hanging them on the wall!

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  6. How interesting! I could not even come up with a guess so stayed silent. Where did you find it and learn its use?

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    1. Hello Cindy, These actually aren't that mysterious because they are still in use here in Taiwan. However, from an American or other perspective, the do look quite mystifying.

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  7. I've been waiting for this follow up post. Gotta say, I would've never guessed a planchette. This one was difficult, Jim. Give us an easier one next time :)

    The luan-bird headed planchette is quite large. The two you have appear to be smaller. They must come in many sizes?

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    1. Hello Loi, Made from natural tree branches, these vary in size. The ones in the photo you mention do seem on the big side, especially the green dragon one. They are hard to measure exactly, but mine seem to be about 18 inches, and that is also the size that de Groot mentions as typical.

      I'll try to go a little easier on everyone next time; I already have an idea for what to use. After that, I'll show no mercy.

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  8. Dear Jim (we always knew you were of a better sort),

    I agree with Loi that you presented a difficult quiz, but I am enjoying learning so much about Chinese history and customs from your posts. By the way, a Ouija board once predicted by name the person whom I would marry (or did it?), the prediction never came true, and I never touched a Ouija board again! That was a long time ago, I might add.

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    1. Hello Mark, That Ouija board still has time to redeem itself. Perhaps you should visit Taiwan, and try again with the luan bi for clarification.

      In a way, I like objects that I cannot figure out quickly. That forces me to look more closely at the object and spend more time with it, with the result that I know it much better in the end.

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  9. Dear Jim,
    Wow-- I've never heard of planchettes before-- how wonderful! They really are such interesting and beautiful objects. Taiwan must be full of interesting objects and traditions-- thank you for sharing them!
    Warm regards,
    Erika

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    1. Hello Erika, I was lucky; I came here at the right time. Now these kinds of items are hard to search out. I'm glad that I was able to stock up at least a little on these interesting relics of Chinese history.

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  10. This is a very interesting page, thank you! It's difficult to find info on the tradition of "spirit writing" or "planchette writing." I found your page while trying to do some research. I'm specifically interested in the use of the sand/sand tray. Is there any info out there on its significance, either on the choice/use of sand itself, or the dimensions of the sand tray, deeper meaning behind its use, etc? Thanks!

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    1. Hello Karina, A couple of the photos show the tray. The sand area does not have to be large, because Chinese is written one character (=word) at a time. There are attendants to record each word, and another to sweep the sand for the next character. Any powdery substance can be used. Often it is ashes from the burnt temple incense, or sometimes organic materials such as bran can be used.

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  11. Fascinating! You've done it again Jim! At first I thought they may be some kind of shoe jack, albeit quite a nice one :)

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  12. Hi Ann, They are also about the right size for shoe jacks.

    That of course is the main point of living in new country--learning about what is unfamiliar.

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  13. They are fascinating and mysterious indeed. I wonder what kind of messages they have delivered over the years. In my youth, I spent many an hour scared out of my skin by ouija board activities. Once one tried to give me a message which read "you will die in a", I didn't want to know the rest so stopped it there. It could be anything but I prefer to think it would have finished "in a comfy bed having a wonderful dream"!

    Have a great weekend.
    Di
    xxxxx

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    1. Hello Di, What a strange message to receive, and I am with you in thinking that it would have ended in a way to yield good luck.

      According to de Groot, the Chinese versions could be consulted for almost anything, from personal questions to feng-shui matters. Sometimes they were more public spirited, as for instance giving formulas for cures during a plague. Also, since they were dedicated to one god, the messages could concern that god and his worship, instructions for his temple, etc.

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  14. I love all this supernatural stuff! At one point in my life I got into Tarot cards and found it fascinating. That is until I started getting asked at parties to do readings! I had never seen or heard about these. Hmmm...

    Fascinating post. Thanks!

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  15. Wow, I wish I could have seen Lindaraxa the Great in action. I think you should get one of these and go back in business.

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I would love to know what you think. Please feel free to comment--no tricky security words required! Any difficulties or questions, email at: clavicytherium@yahoo.com