Divination Block Item Number: Edz1131 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Two rounded brown wooden semicircular objects attached to each other by an orange string, looped through a small hole in each of the ends.
History Of Use
Chinese people who practice popular religion use these blocks for making important decisions and solving problems. The string holding the blocks together has to be cut and removed. The petitioners are more likely to be women than men. They kneel in front of the shrine to the god who protects their household, or go to a temple and kneel in front of the altar behind which is the image of the deity to which the temple is dedicated. They then worship the god and state their question or petition, after which they throw the blocks on the floor three times. The answer to the question or petition is determined by the way the blocks fall, round side up or flat side up. This is considered to be the god’s answer.
Narrative
From a ritual goods shop in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong. Mrs. Kwok Fung, Yin-ha, of Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, gave invaluable help to Elizabeth Johnson in the selection and purchase of these offering materials, a complete set of those needed by a household, and in explaining their meaning and how they were used.
Item History
- Made in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, China during 1979
- Collected by Elizabeth L. Johnson during 1979
- Owned by Elizabeth L. Johnson before March 17, 1980
- Received from Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on March 17, 1980
What
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Field Collector
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Previous Owner
- Elizabeth L. Johnson
- Received from
- Elizabeth L. Johnson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, China
When
- Creation Date
- during 1979
- Collection Date
- during 1979
- Ownership Date
- before March 17, 1980
- Acquisition Date
- on March 17, 1980
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0610/0101 a-b