PiXiu (貔貅)

PiXiu is believed to feast on wealth, gathering riches from all directions. In Chinese tradition, PiXiu holds a significant place, much like dragons and lions, credited with the power to ward off evil spirits from a place and bring joy and good fortune.

Legend of PiXiu

Legend has it that PiXiu is the ninth son of the Dragon King. Its staple diet is gold, silver, and jewels, naturally making it radiant with treasure. Compared to other auspicious creatures like the three-legged toad, PiXiu is far more imposing. Thus, it was deeply favored by the Jade Emperor and the Dragon King. However, overeating inevitably leads to stomach trouble. One day, unable to hold it in, it relieved itself carelessly, angering the Jade Emperor. The Emperor struck it down with a slap, hitting its rear end and sealing its anus shut. From then on, gold, silver, and jewels could only enter but never exit. As this tale spread, PiXiu came to be revered as an auspicious beast that attracts wealth and treasures.

The "Book of Han: Records of the Western Regions" contains a passage: "The state of Wuge Shanli has creatures called 'Taoba' and 'Shizi' (lion), and 'Niuniu'." Meng Kang's annotation states: "Taoba, also called Fuba, resembles a deer with a long tail. The single-horned one is called Tianlu, the double-horned one is called Bixie." Bixie refers to PiXiu.

However, through dynastic changes, PiXiu's form became more standardized, featuring short wings, horns (single or double), a curled tail, a mane often connected to the chest or spine, bulging eyes, and long fangs. The most common depictions today show a single horn and a long tail.

According to ancient texts, PiXiu is one of the five great auspicious beasts of antiquity (along with the dragon, phoenix, tortoise, and qilin), hailed as the "God of Wealth Beast." PiXiu was once the totem of two ancient clans. Legend credits it with meritorious service assisting the Yan and Huang Emperors in battle, earning it the title "Tianlu Shou" , meaning "Beast of Heavenly Bestowed Fortune and Rank." It was exclusively tasked with guarding the emperor's treasures, becoming a symbol of the imperial family, known as "Di Bao" (Imperial Treasure). Because Pi Xiu devours fierce beasts and evil spirits, it is also called "Bixie" (Warder of Evil). Ancient Chinese Feng Shui scholars regarded PiXiu as a beast of great fortune that turns disaster into auspiciousness.

PiXiu is said to have 26 distinct forms and 49 manifestations. It has a large mouth, a large belly, and no anus, symbolizing its ability to gather wealth from all directions without letting it out. It also protects the home, wards off evil, and specifically helps its master amass wealth and hold power.

Ancient sages believed that fate is predetermined, but fortune can be altered. Hence, the folk saying: "One touch of PiXiu brings flourishing fortune; a second touch brings rolling wealth; a third touch brings rapid ascent to high position."

Functions of PiXiu

Pi Xiu differs from the Qilin; it is a fierce auspicious beast with a strong protective instinct towards its master. It has the power to protect the home and ward off evil.
Its Feng Shui functions can be detailed as follows:

1. Protects the Home and Wards Off Evil: Placing an activated Pi Xiu in the home can improve the household's fortune, strengthen good luck, dispel negative energies, and act as a guardian deity, protecting the entire family's safety.

2. Attracts and Enhances Wealth: Besides aiding speculative gains, it also assists with regular income. Therefore, it is also business people to place in their offices or homes.

3. Neutralizes the Five Yellow Misfortune: Used to dissolve negative energies, protect the home, and prosper wealth, Pi Xiu has a particularly noticeable effect on financial luck.

 

Materials for PiXiu

Generally, PiXiu statues are made from three types of materials:

 

 

Metal: Mostly copper, relatively inexpensive, with a color resembling gold, suitable for wealth generation. 

 

 

Wood: In ancient times, prominent mansions used fine wood to carve Pi Xiu placed on beams and roof ridges to ward off inexplicable negative energies from outside and attract blessings.

 

Porcelain/Jade/Crystal/Glass: Porcelain pieces are less common, mostly used for burial underground, also for warding off evil. Jade inherently possesses the essence of all things; naturally, Pi Xiu carved from jade is considered more potent. Jade pieces are usually worn close to the body, offering personal protection.

Pi Xiu statues made from different materials can be placed in auspicious Feng Shui positions. Many geomancy masters believe they have wealth-attracting properties. Placing copper Pi Xiu in the eight different directions is thought to have particularly strong wealth-enhancing power. Pi Xiu is believed to benefit both regular and speculative income, contributing to its recent resurgence in popularity. However, using Pi Xiu for wealth enhancement carries some religious connotations. It's said that the wealth-attracting power is strongest when the Pi Xiu is activated during the "Zheng Shen Ri Gui Shen Shi" (正神日贵神时, Auspicious Deity Day and Noble Spirit Hour) or the "Wu Tu Tai Yang Ji Shi" (鸟兔太阳吉时, Bird-Rabbit Sun Auspicious Hour) according to the Xuan Kong Da Gua system, regardless of whether one's profession is orthodox or not. One important note: For those engaged in wrongdoing or crime, Pi Xiu may not exert its wealth-attracting power – this is characteristic of spiritual beasts. Among materials, jade (or crystal) Pi Xiu are considered to have the strongest wealth-attracting power.

 

PiXiu Activation Methods 

First Method:

Choose an auspicious day and clean the PiXiu thoroughly.

Fetch half a bucket of well water and half a bucket of rainwater.

Pour them into a clean, prepared container.

Place the cleaned PiXiu into the container and soak for three days.

Remove it and wipe it dry with a clean towel.

Apply some tea oil to its eyes. This is called "Opening the Light" (开光).

Pi Xiu is said to possess sentience. During activation, only the owner should be present. As the first being Pi Xiu sees after activation is you, it will always protect you.

Second Method:

Place the new Pi Xiu on a balcony or spot where it can be exposed to sunlight during the day and moonlight at night for 16 days. This natural exposure is believed to activate it, allowing it to absorb the essence of the sun and moon, granting it powerful abilities to ward off evil and attract wealth.

Third Method:

The only way is to take it to a temple and have a monk perform the activation ritual. Activating Pi Xiu is different from activating deities like the God of Wealth or the Qilin. Pi Xiu is generally harder to activate. Activating deities like the God of Wealth usually involves burning talismans and chanting incantations, but Pi Xiu requires sutra chanting and deity invocation first, otherwise the activation may not succeed.

 

Three Taboos for Placing PiXiu

Do not let its head face the main entrance door (the door from outside; other doors are ok, but not facing a toilet). The main entrance is the domain of the Door Gods or the God of Wealth; Pi Xiu has no authority there.

Do not let it face a mirror. Mirrors create light sha (negative energy), which Pi Xiu dislikes.

Do not point it directly at a bed. This is considered unfavorable for the sleeper.

 

Worshiping PiXiu

The incense burner should not contain sand or soil; use ginger rice, pearl rice, or black rice.

Among offered fruits, avoid pears and strawberries. Other fruits are permissible; meat and alcohol can also be offered.

Women during menstruation or pregnancy are strictly forbidden from offering incense to or touching Pi Xiu (Pi Xiu dislikes light sha, blood sha, and fetal sha).

Do not clean Pi Xiu frequently. Cleaning is only allowed four times a year, on the 2nd day of the 6th lunar month, the 6th day of the 2nd lunar month, the 14th day of the 7th lunar month, and the 12th day of the 9th lunar month (all dates are lunar calendar).

Do not move Pi Xiu casually. Do not touch its mouth (as it bites money) or head. If moving is necessary, first cover its head with red silk cloth before relocating.

Pi Xiu is a legendary divine beast in the hearts of the Chinese people. It has only one favorite pastime: it loves to bite money and bring it back to please its master.
If your income relies primarily on commissions or bonuses rather than a fixed salary, worshiping Pi Xiu is considered an excellent wealth-attracting method. It is believed to guide you to places of wealth and help you "bite" the money back.

 

PiXiu Activation Ceremony 

After purchasing it, you must cover its eyes. Only unveil them on the day of the activation ceremony.
Items to prepare for the activation day:

1. Seven Precious Stones

2. Five Grains Mixed Rice

3. Five-Colored Thread

4. Five Emperor Coins

5. Small Bell

6. A red paper inscribed with the incantation

Place the first three items (Seven Precious Stones, Five Grains Rice, Five-Colored Thread) one by one into Pi Xiu's belly. Then hang the Five Emperor Coins and the bell onto the Pi Xiu. Next, prepare to chant the Pi Xiu Empowerment Incantation:

Golden Light First Breath, Pi Xiu soars high,
Drawing wealth and status, paths prosperous nigh.
Golden Light Second Breath, Pi Xiu blessings bestow,
Fortune and rank fill the hall, lucky star's bright glow.
Golden Light Third Breath, Pi Xiu transforms with might,
Men receive a hundred blessings, women a thousand, shining bright.
Qián (乾, Heaven), Auspiciousness, Prime Success!

After chanting the incantation, place the paper with the incantation into Pi Xiu's belly as well. This imbues Pi Xiu with spiritual power. Once the sandalwood incense in the Bagua incense burner finishes burning, the Pi Xiu can be placed on the cash register, in the living room, at the entrance, or in the foyer. Crucially, Pi Xiu's head must face the entrance door or a window.

To worship Pi Xiu, one must burn a coil of incense for it to "smell" every day, or place a cup of water beside it. This gives Pi Xiu the energy to seek money for its master.

 

How to Wear PiXiu Pendants

Wear it on the wrist or neck using a red cord.

1. Cleanse it with "rootless water" (rainwater) or river water.

2. Pi Xiu is said to be particularly favored by Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy). Therefore, the best activation method is to burn incense before a Guanyin statue (ideally placing it before Guanyin on the 15th of each lunar month for incense blessings).

3. Do not touch Pi Xiu's mouth (as it bites money) or its eyes (as it searches for treasure).