Localized and Rooted Symbols of Faith: The Development and Local Rituals of Divination in Taiwan

As early settlers crossed the sea to Taiwan, they brought with them the incense and faith of their hometowns, and the culture of divination blocks has developed into a unique and diverse local phenomenon in Taiwan. From bustling temples to the ancestral halls of ordinary families, divination blocks are not just a matter of faith, but also an integral part of the rhythm of life for Taiwanese people.

1. The etiquette and steps of the Taiwanese folk game of Bo Di (博杯).

In Taiwan's temple culture, throwing divination blocks is not a simple matter of picking them up and tossing them around; rather, it follows a rigorous and respectful traditional procedure:

1. Declare your identity and purpose : Report your name, date and time of birth (lunar calendar), current address, and what you are asking for today to the deity.

2. Light incense and wait : After the report is finished, people usually wait for the time it takes for "one stick of incense" to burn (about 10 to 15 minutes). Traditionally, this is believed to be time for the gods to find out the truth of the matter.

3. Purification through the incense burner : Circle the divination blocks clockwise around the main burner three times to absorb the spiritual energy of the incense and purify the vessel.

4. To ask for guidance by tossing divination blocks : Hold the divination blocks in front of your chest, pray sincerely, and then toss them out smoothly.

2. Sacred Divination Symbols, Laughing Divination Symbols, and Hidden Divination Symbols: The Divine Communication Codes of the Taiwanese

Within the context of Taiwanese folklore, each of these three combinations has its own unique folk interpretation:

• A sacred divination block (one flat and one convex) indicates divine approval, permission, or a "yes" answer.

• Laughing divination blocks (two flat lines facing upwards) : This indicates that the deity is laughing, the question is unclear, or the person asking the question already has the answer in their mind and therefore does not need to ask again.

• Yin divination blocks (two protruding lines pointing upwards) : This indicates that the gods disagree, the timing is inappropriate, or the direction of events is wrong.

Especially in the "drawing a fortune stick" process, traditional Taiwanese temples have extremely strict requirements—after drawing a fortune stick, they must throw out "three positive divination blocks" in succession to ensure that the fortune stick is indeed the final answer given by the gods.

3. The "Bo Cup Tournament" and the "Standing Divination" Miracle during the Celebration

Besides daily divination, divination blocks also play an important role in Taiwanese folk festivals. For example, in the "Bo Qi Gui" activity during the Lantern Festival, believers compete by throwing consecutive positive divination blocks to win rice turtles or golden turtles, which symbolize peace and wealth. The occasional "standing divination blocks" (divination blocks that stand upright after being dropped) or "hanging divination blocks" (divination blocks hung on a tablecloth) that appear in various temples are often regarded by the people as miracles of divine intervention, attracting thousands of people to witness and admire them.