Amuletic Board, China, 1801-1900

This board is known as a joss-board and is hung on doors to prevent the entry of devils and evils spirits. One of the more ancient aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was the belief that spirits, ancestors and demons interfere with the body and cause illness. The symbol carved at the top of the wooden board is known as a Pa-Kau. The central red and black symbol represents the forces of y…