Kau Chim or Kau Cim, also known as Lottery poetry is a fortune telling practice that originated in China in which the querent (person asking the question) requests answers from a sacred oracle lot. The practice is often performed in a Taoist or Buddhist temple in front of an altar. Kau Chim is often referred to as Chien Tung or Chinese Fortune Sticks by westerners. Kau Chim is also sometimes known as "The Oracle of Kuan Yin" in Buddhist traditions. It is widely available in Thai temples, known as Siam Si. The similar practice is also found in Japan, named O-mikuji.
Moon blocks or jiaobei, also poe (from Chinese: Pe̍h-ōe-jī: poe; as used in the term 'poe divination') are wooden divination tools originating from China, which are used in pairs and thrown to answer a yes or no question. They are made out of wood or bamboo and carved into a crescent shape. A pair of clam shells can also be used. Each block is round on one side (known as the yin side) and flat on the other (known as the yang side).
It is one of the more commonly used items found in Chinese traditional religion and are used in temples and home shrines along with fortune sticks, both of which are often used together when requesting an answer from the gods.
Moon blocks can be used separately to receive a straightforward answer, or they are accompanied by fortune sticks to clarify an oracle. After the querent poses the question to the gods, the blocks are dropped to the floor and land in a specific position.
There are four possible answers that the moon blocks can produce:
- Shengjiao (divine answer): One block flat and another block round is a 'yes' answer.
- Nujiao (angry answer) also kujiao (crying answer): Both blocks round is a 'no' answer. It is said that the gods are displeased by the question, and this is shown in the way the blocks directly fall flat on the floor.
- Xiaojiao (laughing answer): Both blocks flat have different interpretations; either it can be an emphasized 'no' answer and a sign that the gods are laughing at the question, or that they are laughing because the querent should know the answer, or that the answer to the question is obvious. One characteristic of this answer is when the blocks sway back and forth when dropped, a symbolic show of laughter.
- Lijiao (standing answer): One or both blocks fall but stand erect on the floor indicate that the deities do not understand the referent's question, therefore the question is nullified and the procedure must be repeated.
When used alone without the fortune sticks, the blocks are thrown three times in order to maintain accuracy of the deity's answer, a successful answer usually being three consecutive throws showing shengjiao, or best two out of three throws.
Aside from questioning the deities on mundane affairs, moon blocks are also used to verify a range of issues, such as proper ritual protocol, spiritual presence of the gods or if they have eaten the offerings presented to them.
The gods. |
Requesting an answer from the gods. |
Presenting the fortune sticks. |
Throwing the fortune sticks to the floor. |
Picking the fortune stick from the floor. |
Throwing the moon blocks to the floor. |
Picking the moon blocks from the floor. |
Fortune cabinet containing the fortune telling papers. |
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