How to Write 筊 (xiáo) — Meaning “Bamboo slips used for divination”

Imagine a bamboo stick (竹) with two crossed lines (爻) carved into it, like a simple divination tool. You can also think of 爻 as 'X' marks, and picture someone throwing bamboo pieces with 'X' symbols to seek answers.

The top part 竹 should be written narrow and flat, with the left and right halves balanced. The lower part 爻 has two 'X' shapes; make sure the strokes cross neatly in the center and the overall character is not too tall. A common mistake is making the bottom 爻 too wide, which throws off the balance.

筊 (xiáo) is about divination tools, while 笄 (jī) means a hairpin and 笆 (bā) means a fence or bamboo hedge. Visually, 筊 has 爻 underneath, 笄 has 开 (open) below, and 笆 has 巴 below. Their meanings are completely different despite sharing the bamboo radical.

筊 appears mostly in cultural or religious contexts, especially in Taoist and folk temple practices. The term '掷筊' (throwing moon blocks) refers to asking the gods for guidance by tossing two crescent-shaped wooden blocks and reading how they land. It is not an everyday word but is still actively used in Chinese communities during prayers or rituals.

Common words containing 筊 include: 筊杯 (xiáo bēi) — Divination blocks (moon blocks); 掷筊 (zhì xiáo) — to throw moon blocks (for divination); 圣筊 (shèng xiáo) — Divine blocks (divination tools).