Taoist seal and crossing the bridge ceremonies
In Taoist temples, they have seals for the respective deities. For
example, Guan Yin temple will have a guan yin seal, cheng huang
temple(temple of the City deity) will have a cheng huang
seal.
Seals are symbol of power and authority.
Taoist priests, when they write petitions, talismans etc, will have
their seals chopped on it. Different sects the priests belongs to,
will have different seals.
The deities' seals represent the power and blessings from the
deity. Chopping onto the shirt symbolizes the divine bestowing
blessings on the person. It is out of goodwill, and nother sinister
at all.
Just like every Emperor, magistrates, officials, they have seals.
Just like every companies, govt bodies, they have seals. It is a
symbol of authority and authentication, trust and power.
It wil be less superstitous and logical if we think like
this.
'bridge crossing' ceremonies, are when temples are having
celebrations, they wil engage taoist priests or medium(in tranced)
to lead devotees and the public in crossing this wooden bridge. It
is a ritual to avert disasters and bring blessings. Symbolizing the
blessings from divines will help us cross over every obstacles in
life. It certainly boast the morale of the devotees and give them
comfort in life.
