Iu-Mien Yao’s Ritual Healing: A Case Study on Fertility Talismans as Depicting Birth Scenes in Religious Manuscripts (Early 19th- to Late 20th Centuries)

Distinct from “Classical Medicine,” ritual healing was common in ancient China. The Iu-Mien 勉, a branch of the Yao ethnic group, produced many manuscripts written in Chinese on the subject of ritual healing, including talismans, incantations, and instructions. This article discusses the Iu-Mien fertility talismans. Spells, talismans, and talismanic charts in healing rituals must be incorporated into the ritual process and accompanied by the requisite visualizations ( cunxiang 存想). Visualizations in the Iu-Mien fertility talismans, however, are not merely mental imaginations produced by ritual specialists, but are instead further concretized as “scenes” to enhance healing efficacy. This is done by homeopathic magic; through imitative association, ritual specialists harness the corresponding power of the imitated object. Talismans not only supplement religious texts but also convey a holistic picture associated with the ritual’s purpose. Rather than a dichotomy, an interpenetrative hybridization obtains between Daoism and local religions. Iu-Mien ritual healing demonstrates the adoption of both healing practices from Song-Yuan religious movements and popular beliefs in southern China. Iu-Mien ritual specialists integrated external rites and talismanic charts into their practices through selection, hybridization, and re-creation to address the challenges and impacts of external religions. Occurring spontaneously among local people (Han and non-Han alike), this cultural hybridization is similar to the mutual influence between local communities and religious organizations in early Daoism.