Historical talisman traditions
Five Bats of Happiness
The Pavitts describe the five bats, or Weefuh, as a talisman for luck, wealth, longevity, health, and peace. The count is meaningful because it brings several wishes into one compact emblem. They note that the bats may stand alone or appear with trigrams. A border of five bats can also frame a good-wish inscription on a tea cup, making the symbol part of hospitality.
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In the sources
Principal account
ReportedThe Pavitts describe the five bats, or Weefuh, as a talisman for luck, wealth, longevity, health, and peace. The count is meaningful because it brings several wishes into one compact emblem.
Further detail
ReportedThey note that the bats may stand alone or appear with trigrams. A border of five bats can also frame a good-wish inscription on a tea cup, making the symbol part of hospitality.
Context & interpretation
The Pavitts’ 1922 compilation gathers symbols and attributed powers from several traditions, sometimes with conjectural origins. Its statements about protection, health, and fortune document talismanic belief rather than demonstrated effects or medical guidance.
Original passages
Source 1
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems
great happinesses that all men desire, Luck, Wealth, Longevity, Health, and Peace. The five bats are frequently used alone, but sometimes, as in Illus- tration No.Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Historical talisman traditions; active reader leaf 67
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0074-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0074-E001-P0067
- Original scan leaf
- 68
- Recorded leaf number
- 68
- Current Reader position
- 60
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems
happiness know no bounds," enclosed by a border of the five bats. THE PHOENIX, like the bird Feng, is a mystical bird said to live 500Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Historical talisman traditions; active reader leaf 67
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0074-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0074-E001-P0067
- Original scan leaf
- 68
- Recorded leaf number
- 68
- Current Reader position
- 60
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
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