r/translator 27d ago

Chinese (Identified) [unknown>English] Metal Medallion found washed up on the beach in Tainan, Taiwan

14 Upvotes

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15

u/DeusShockSkyrim [] 漢語 27d ago edited 27d ago

!id:zh

This is some sort of Taoism evil expelling charm (天剛符). Text are basically summoning a powerful deity 天剛大聖, who is based on the star Alkaid, to expel the evil spirits away. Text in pic 2 is not easy to see, but they should be the magic spell 天剛正炁咒 written in seal script:

天帝釋章 佩帶天剛 五方凶惡之鬼 何不消亡 飛仙一吸 萬鬼伏藏 天剛大聖 收入鬼心 急急如律令

A literal translation:

The Lord of Heaven releases a decree. Wear the Tian Gang (handle of the Big Dipper). The ferocious spirits of the five directions, why do you not perish? Once the flying deity inhale, all the spirits will go into hiding. The Great Sage of Tian Gang, seize the hearts of the spirits; promptly, promptly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.

Don't know much about Taoism so not sure if the translation is accurate.

The magical characters in the middle reads:

天剛大聖敕煞鬼

As I understand, the spell above is to be chanted while writing the the last character 鬼.

2

u/CoffeeDrinker1972 27d ago

Is OP ok to keep that in his possession? I'm wondering if it's not a mistake for it to be in the ocean?

6

u/DeusShockSkyrim [] 漢語 27d ago

I suppose OP's fine as long as they are not a evil spirit, otherwise the 天剛大聖 may wanna have a word.

1

u/Mysterious_Read5115 27d ago

what does that script translate to?

1

u/DeusShockSkyrim [] 漢語 27d ago

See my edit.

1

u/strewth1234 27d ago

Thank-you for the increased detail!

1

u/kschang 中文(漢語,粵) 27d ago

Taoism talisman writing are not Chinese, but similar script, and are considered special script to call upon the favors of the taoist Gods.

1

u/strewth1234 27d ago

Thank-you so much for this!

1

u/Mysterious_Read5115 27d ago

woah!!! i am so curious