XIV.—Some Account of Charms, Talismans, and Felicitous Appendages worn about the person, or hung up in houses, &c. used by the Chinese

Extract

I. Talismans.—Under this head are arranged some charms which are not properly speaking talismans, but for which no other generic name could be found.

1. Tsëen-këen, “Money-swords.” These consist of a number of old copper coins called cash, strung together in the form of a sword, and kept straight by a piece of iron running up the middle. They are hung at the heads of beds, that the supposed presence of the monarchs under whose reigns the cash were coined may have the effect of keeping away ghosts and evil spirits. They are used chiefly in houses or rooms where persons have committed suicide or suffered a violent death. Sick persons use them, also, in order to hasten their recovery.