《上清佩符文絳卷訣》

The Shangqing Pei Fuwen Jiang Jue (Instructions on Wearing Scarlet Talismans from Highest Clarity) presents several essential Daoist talismans (fulu) and their application methods:

1. Flowing Gold Fire Bell Talisman

Wearers of this talisman must regularly visualize a circular halo above their head, radiating light that illuminates 400,000 li (a vast distance). After nine years of sustained practice, true numinous beings (zhenling) will descend. The specific method involves writing the talisman with cinnabar on a 2.2-chi (approx. 70cm) purple silk cloth, to be worn atop the head. (This talisman originates from the Zidu Yanguang Jing [Purple Tenuity Fiery Light Scripture])

2. Jade Dawn Demon-Subduing Banner of Highest Purity

This banner empowers its bearer to subdue the Red Emperor Demon King of the South. At sunset, enter a quiet chamber facing south, recite specific incantations, and inscribe the talisman with black ink on red silk before placing it in the room. (From the Qusu Shangjing [Upper Scripture of Twisting Simplicity])

3. Red Emperor Spirit-Summoning Demon-Capturing Talisman

Inscribe with blue pigment on a red wooden board (1.2-chi long, 9-cun wide) and place it in the southern part of the meditation chamber. After 100 days of cultivation and scripture recitation, one may converse with divine beings. After 3,000 days, crimson auspicious clouds will manifest in the room. To encounter perfected beings (zhenren) and celestial immortals, face east in seated meditation for 100 days. (From the Jinzhen Yuguang Jing [Scripture of Golden Truth and Jade Radiance])

4. Lunar Essence Talisman of Upper Prime's Unfolding Net

Write with yellow pigment on white paper, then ingest it while facing west during 100 days of meditation—divine beings will materialize for dialogue. To subdue demons, inscribe with black ink on a 9-cun square red wooden board placed in the northeast for 100 days; the Northern Emperor will then capture the demons. (Seven years of practice enables daylight ascension to immortality)

5. Mars Star Essence Talisman of Five Primes' Unfolding Net

To summon the perfected officials of Southern Peak, inscribe with blue on red paper while facing south for 100 days of ingestion and meditation. For subduing Red Emperor demons, use black ink on a 9-cun red board facing south for 100 days. (Seven years of practice enables daylight ascension; from the Qiyuan Jing [Seven Primes Scripture])

6. Jade Talisman of Green Emperor's Wood Phase Communion

Inscribe with blue on dark red silk for wearing, or alternatively on red paper with blue ink during the celestial stems' Jia and Yi days (associated with Wood Phase).

(Note: "Wearing talismans" refers to carrying fulu on one's person; "focused meditation" (jingsi) denotes concentrated visualization; "true numinous beings" indicate high-ranking deities; "daylight ascension" signifies achieving immortality. These talismans require specific directional orientations, colors, and cultivation periods for activation.)

This scripture primarily describes several Daoist talismans (fulu) and their methods of wearing and efficacy, belonging to the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) school's cultivation texts. Let me explain section by section:

The first passage discusses the effects of wearing the "Jia-Yi Green-Waist Jade Maiden" talisman: After wearing it for three years, the Green-Waisted Jade Maiden will descend, granting the practitioner knowledge of all affairs within ten thousand li of the Eastern regions. Immortal officials from the Eastern Sacred Mountain (Dongyue) will deliver natural offerings. After nine years, the Green Emperor (the Celestial Ruler of the East) will personally visit the practitioner's chamber, guiding them to ascend to the Shangqing Palace riding a chariot of azure mist.

The text then introduces two important talismans:

1. The "Primordial Azure Orthodox Method" talisman: Formed from the flying mysterious Qi (vital energy) of the Primordial Azure in the Qingwei Heaven. Wearers can command spiritual energy, awe the ten directions, traverse the void, and open the myriad paths of the Dao.

2. The "Primordial White Orthodox Method" talisman: Condensed from the flying mysterious Qi of the Primordial White in the Yuyu Heaven. Wearers can command myriad spirits, subdue demons, avert disasters, and move freely through the void.

The subsequent passages reveal secret methods transmitted by the Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu) and the Jade Clarity High Origin Sovereign:

• Written in blue on purple tablets and placed in the northeast, it can subdue the Great Demon of the Azure Emperor and summon immortal officials. After ten years of practice, one gains immortal attendants and obtains spiritual medicines. Wearing this talisman earns reverence from all spirits and ascension on purple clouds.
• Written in black on red tablets and placed in the south, it can subdue the Great Demon of the Red Emperor. After eighteen years of practice, a True Lord will manifest, granting spiritual medicines. Wearing this talisman receives homage from demon kings, protection from immortal officials, and a feathered canopy of cinnabar clouds.

These scriptures mainly record cultivation methods for communicating with celestial deities through specific talismans to gain protection, subdue demons, and achieve ascension to the Highest Clarity. They reflect the Shangqing school's characteristic emphasis on talismanic practice and visualization techniques.

This scripture records three protective talismans (fulu) from the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition of Daoism and their ritual applications, detailing how wearing specific talismanic inscriptions can grant supernatural abilities like flight and demon-subjugation.

The first is the "Left Numinous Flight Jade Talisman":

Created by gathering the primordial dark qi (cosmic primal energy) of heaven and earth, this talisman is inscribed on white silk. Wearing it for nine years enables levitation and travel to the Five Planets (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). During practice, it must be written on the sole of the left foot, then wrapped in nine-inch crimson silk and worn on the right side. This grants command over the Six Jia spirits (sixty time deities) and twelve Jade Maidens (female protector deities), ensuring constant protection by these celestial attendants.

The second is the "Northern Emperor's White Numinous Demon-Slaying Ghost-Destroying Jade Script":

This exorcism artifact originates from the Three Pure Heavens (Sanqing, the supreme Daoist realms), recording the names of thirty-six White Numinous Jade Maidens and celestial soldiers. Originally worn by the Jade Clarity Divine Empyrean King, it must be inscribed with black ink on red-white silk during Geng or Xin days (metal-element days in the celestial stem cycle), maintaining strict dimensions of 1.2 chi long and 3.2 cun wide. On Geng days place it south at the Bing position; on Xin days at the Ding position. The ritual involves holding the breath three times, lightly tapping the left teeth thirty-six times while reciting: "Heaven and earth open wide, dark qi purifies clearly, sweeping away all evil obstructions..." (followed by demon-subjugation verses). Conclude with three deep breaths. Practiced for three consecutive days, this forces demons to manifest and surrender. Wearing the talisman on specially patterned silk ensures ghost-free travels, while three years of practice grants command over five Great Mysterious Jade Maidens.

The third unnamed talisman similarly derives from secret Jade Clarity texts, presumably sharing comparable protective functions.

All talismans emphasize precise requirements: specific materials (crimson silk/red-white cloth), exact measurements, proper directional placement, coordinated breathing techniques, and incantations—characteristic of Daoist talismanic (fulu) practice. Through these rituals combining form, numerology, and spiritual focus, practitioners achieve communion with deities and mobilization of cosmic energies.