Pixiu: All You Need to Know
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What is Pixiu?
Pixiu is a mythical creature in Chinese culture, believed to feed on wealth and drive away evil spirits, bringing joy and good fortune—similar to dragon and lion dances, which also symbolize dispelling negativity . It's a fierce guardian spirit: males are called "Pi," females "Xiu." In southern China, it's known as "Pixiu," while northerners call it "Bixie" (meaning "exorcist") .
Legends of Pixiu
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The Dragon Prince Myth
As the ninth son of the Dragon King, Pixiu feasted on gold and jewels, charming the Jade Emperor until a mishap—defecating randomly—sealed its anus. Since then, it's symbolized wealth, absorbing treasures without letting them out . -
Historical Records
The Book of Han mentions a creature called "Taoba," described by Meng Kang as "deer-like with a long tail: single-horned 'Tianlu' (Heavenly Deer), double-horned 'Bixie'"—confirming Bixie as Pixiu .
Over time, Pixiu's form standardized: short wings, two horns, a curled tail, manes, bulging eyes, and fangs. Today, it's often single-horned with a long tail .
Cultural Significance
- One of Five Auspicious Beasts (alongside the Dragon, Phoenix, Tortoise, Qilin), Pixiu is a wealth guardian. It once served as a clan totem, aiding emperors and earning the title "Tianlu" (Heaven-Bestowed Fortune). As a royal symbol, it protected treasures and devoured evil, earning the name "Bixie" (exorcist) .
- Symbolism: With a big mouth, belly, and no anus, it absorbs wealth from all directions while guarding homes .
- Folk Belief: "Touch Pixiu once for luck, twice for wealth, thrice for success" .
Feng Shui Functions
- Home Protection: Placed at home, enlightened Pixiu wards off evil and blesses the family .
- Wealth Attraction: Helps both main income and windfalls, popular with business owners .
- Neutralizes "Five Yellow Calamities": A key feng shui malevolence, especially for financial luck .
Materials for Pixiu Statues
- Metal (mostly copper): Inexpensive, gold-like, ideal for attracting wealth .
- Hardwood: Ancient mansions used fine wood for beams/roofs to ward off external 煞气 (malevolence) .
- Porcelain/Jade/Glass: Porcelain is rare (often buried for exorcism); jade, with innate spirituality, makes protective amulets -.
Copper Pixiu is strongest in feng shui auspicious spots, while jade/crystal excels for all wealth. Note: Pixiu may not aid the dishonest .
Enlightenment Rituals
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Water Bath Method:
- Clean Pixiu on an auspicious day.
- Mix well water and rainwater in a clean container.
- Soak for 3 days, wipe dry, apply tea oil to eyes.
- Stay alone so Pixiu bonds with you first -.
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Sun-Moon Energy: Place on a balcony for 16 days to absorb natural light, enhancing protection and wealth -.
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Temple Blessing: Monks perform the ritual, as Pixiu enlightenment is more complex—requiring chants and deity invocation -.
Placement Taboos
- Avoid main doors (and toilets): Guarded by Door Gods/Wealth Gods .
- No mirrors: They create "light malevolence" .
- Don't face beds: May bring discomfort .
Caring for Pixiu
- Incense Burner: Use ginger rice, pearl rice, black rice (not sand/soil) .
- Offerings: No pears/strawberries; meat/wine is fine .
- Restrictions: Women during menstruation/pregnancy should not worship/touch Pixiu (taboos on blood/fetal malevolence) .
- Cleaning: 4 times/year on lunar dates: 2/6, 6/2, 7/14, 9/12 .
- Moving: Wrap head in red silk; never touch mouth (for biting money) or eyes (for seeking treasures) .
Why Wear Pixiu?
For commission/bonus-based jobs, Pixiu is a talisman. It's said to lead to wealth and "bite" money back, embodying loyalty to its owner -.
Wearing Pixiu Pendants
- Use a red string on wrists/neck.
- Clean with rainwater/river water.
- Bless before Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) monthly (ideally on the 15th).
- Never touch the mouth or eyes—they "bite" and "seek" wealth -.
