Five
poisons
Another charm is the "Five Poisons" (WuDu) motif. The animals represented
are the snake, centipede, scorpion, lizard, and toad ( sometimes the spider
replaces one of these creatures). Their images are embroidered on clothing,
stamped on cakes, and engraved on pater charms, with the idea of avoiding
bites form them or, as some suggest, to counteract other kinds of poisons
with the accumulated poison fo the five. And still yet another method included
hanging a bouquet of four types of green leaves and on posy of flowers
( to make five) over doorways to ward off demons. Mugwort leaves, calamus,
and garlic were also hung over doors to ward off poisionous influences.
And lastly portraits of Zhong Kui, a demon-stayer, or pieces of paper with
anti-demonic incantations were posted outside and around the house.
