On the Three Great Ancient Mysteries of Xiangxi
On the Three Great Ancient Mysteries of Xiangxi. Chenzhou talismans, corpse-driving, and gu poison are historically known as the "Three Great Ancient Mysteries of Xiangxi" and are widely circulated in Zhangjiajie. Countless people, driven by mystery and curiosity, have delved among the people to crack these puzzles, all in vain. Among the three, Chenzhou talismans rank first, with folk shamanic performances such as rolling on thorn beds and treading on plowshares...
This article has been compiled from historical materials on 'Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network' (33519.com · Specialty Foods / Cuisine / Customs section). Prices, business hours, administrative divisions, and statistical data mentioned in the text may already be outdated. Before traveling, please refer to the latest announcements from merchants, scenic areas, and local competent authorities; the parts involving folk legends and folk customs are local historical and cultural anecdotes, provided for cultural reference.
On the Three Great Ancient Mysteries of Xiangxi
Chenzhou talismans, corpse-driving, and gu-poisoning have historically been called the "Three Great Ancient Mysteries of Xiangxi," and they are widely circulated within Zhangjiajie. Countless people, driven by curiosity and a sense of mystery, have gone deep among the common folk attempting to unravel these ancient mysteries, but all have returned empty-handed.
Among the three great ancient mysteries, Chenzhou talismans rank first. Folk shamanic and nuo performances (such as rolling over press thorns, treading on plowshares, and climbing knife ladders) rely precisely on Chenzhou talismans; corpse-driving is even more inseparable from them. To outsiders, these ancient mysteries seem utterly bizarre and inexplicable black arts, yet their actual existence has been verified for hundreds and thousands of years.
Chenzhou talismans originated in Chenzhou, and their influence almost dominated the shamanic and nuo cultural activities of the Tujia regions along the borders of Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, and Guizhou, especially in the Yuan and Li river basins. Although after Liberation they were banned, prohibited, suppressed, and even punished by law over fifty years, these practices still survived tenaciously, because they exist merely as a form of sacrifice or performance—this may be the very reason they have taken root among the people and endured. As for whether there is anything in them that violates science, we believe it is too early to draw such a conclusion before their mysteries are truly revealed.
Judging from the current state of the three great ancient mysteries, gu-poisoning remains deeply hidden in Miao villages, the art of corpse-driving has nearly been lost, and only Chenzhou talismans are being further carried forward and expanded.
This book solemnly presents stories exploring the ancient mysteries of Xiangxi, intending to attract more enthusiasts to investigate and explain these age-old unresolved cases. Perhaps the answer is a scientific enigma that humanity has not yet recognized?