The Implication of the Tiangang Ruler

• Six Sides Bearing the Order of Heaven and Earth: Each side of the ruler is engraved with powerful symbols, implying the convergence of the power of heaven, earth, and stars, making it no ordinary wooden ruler.

  • Constellations and Sun & Moon: Representing the twenty-eight constellations, the sun and moon, symbolizing the cosmic time and space and the laws of Yin and Yang.

  • Names of Deities: Engraved with the Ziwei taboo character (Emperor Ziwei) and the Tianpeng taboo character (Marshal Tianpeng), representing the authority and power of the deities.

  • North and South Dipper Lords: The Six Stars of the South Dipper (governing birth) and the Seven Stars of the North Dipper (governing death), implying the ability to control life and death, fortune and misfortune, and to avert disaster and resolve difficulties.

• Inviting "Marshal Tianpeng" to Descend: The core of the Tianpeng ruler is to respectfully invite the head of the "Four Sages of the North Pole" in Taoism—Marshal Tianpeng—to descend. He is the supreme divine general for subduing demons and protecting the Dharma, and wielding this ruler signifies inviting him to the scene to expel evil spirits.

Precautions

• Different in Nature, Not an Ornament: The Tianpeng ruler is one of the ritual instruments displayed and used on professional Taoist altars, usually alongside peach wood swords, tokens, etc.Its main function is to guard the altar, ward off evil, and avert misfortune.

• High Threshold for Use: As it is a professional ritual instrument, it is generally not recommended to handle or misuse it casually. It is often passed down to disciples by Taoist lineages such as the Zhengyi school during formal occasions like empowerment ceremonies, and its activation and use involve complex rituals and taboos.