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hello! this is something i have recently got a hold of,i have researched it and i guess its called a 'tigers sting' and is a tool of a traveling doctor,i was wondering if anyone on here could help me with the writing on it as i have no idea what it says.

thanks a lot!

Yes, it is a 'tiger's sting' and it is a rattle used by itinerent doctors in old China to advertise their trade.

During the Song dynasty (960 1279) there was one such doctor named Li CiLou, who traveled deep in the mountains. One day he encountered a tiger suffering from a thorn in its mouth, an which sought his help. To help remove the thorn, CiKou put his iron rattle in the tiger's mouth and removed the thorn. Hence the name.

These objects are discussed and illustrated in "Medicine in China. Historical Artifacts and Images" by Paul Unschuld (Prestel, 2000) ISBN 3-7913-2149-8.

Sorry, I can't see the characters in this photograph they are bleached out by the flash or the exposure.

This is called a PI, symbol of heaven. The writing is ancient, yet the carving seems to be very modern.
Ernest

how do you think that its modern and by that,how recent do you think? thanks a lot for your info!

these are better shots of the characters,is there any way to find out who this may have belonged to or anything else?

thanks a lot

No I don't think it is modern; and as to who owned it, I can assure you that it was one of the tools of trade of one of the hundreds of thousands of itinerent herbal doctors who plied their trade across China for centuries. It was his rattle to advertise his presence.

The two characters read Xiang Gen. Interestingly, as these were not expensive or 'quality' pieces, the calligraphy for 'xiang' is in fact incorrect. As written (with the bamboo radical at the top) it means box. However, when correctly written with the grass radical at the top it means a medicinal plant used in the treatment of diabetes: celosia argentea, the plumed cockscomb, or Lagos spinach.

The second character - gen - means root, perhaps indicating the part of the plant used in the doctor's treatment. Incidentally, you have them in the correct order, your first picture should be on the right hand side of the rattle, the bottom picture is the view of the left. All you need change is the orientation and you have them perfectly.

You have a charming artifact from the historical practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine - which is still practiced, and is still very effective. I know as I have just finished a three day course of herbs which gets rid of my seasonal hay fever.

Hi, Mike:

I am not disagreeing with you that the first character "Xiang" cannot be an error especially if the words were carved in the "Seal" style. (because in that case the "grass" top should be written differently and it did resember the "bamboo" top if it is in seal style). However, in this case, I do not believe the herbal doctor who carved these two words knew how to carve them in seal style and therefore I believe these two words are just carved in the "traditional" style of Chinese. Therefore, I believe the piece is before 1948 (before the communists took over China) but probably after 1911. Just my guess. I commend you for doing a great job in your researches.

Bill

In order to help, I need to know the size of this item.Perhaps show it in the palm of your hand.
Also, which one is the true colour, the light or dark one. Have you tested it with a steel needle? Ernest

My dear Ernest,

I think you will find that this is made of iron, not stone. It's a rattle, used by itinerent herbal doctors in China to advertise their availability.

My friend Dr Paul Unschuld has covered the subject (with clear illustrations) in his books on Chinese medical apparatus.

Also, correct me if I am wrong, but 'pi' are usually fairly flat, while this is distinctly shaped like a doughnut.

its iron

Mike, yes, Pi's are normally flat, but the "donut" shape was also made. I still wait for the size of this object, and I would hate to shove it into some tigers mouth.
Ernest

its about 4 inches wide

Dear Ernest,

Jesse has confirmed that this is iron, not stone.

Here are two images from "Das Heil der Mitte" by Dr Paul U. Unschuld

The first shows our itinerent herbalist shaking his rattle and advertising his wares; the second shows three different iron rattles.

Bill,
The characters for 'Tiger's sting" are in the second picture, but in case they are too small to read, I will e-mail them to you separately.

Tigerstachel translates into tiger stinger. The material shown on that page is brass (Messing). The rattle in the top picture looks like it is at least 5" in diameter.
Ernest

Hi, Mike:

What astute observation and knowledge regarding the "tiger sting". If you have not explained it I will simply in the blind too. I have heard of this type of herbal doctor who traveled everywhere to offer remedies for their patients but I have never seen a real one before. Almost all the stories about them were learned from Chinese fictions. Now I am thinking about it, I wonder when they became extinct, do you know? If they were extinct before 1911, then this piece can be much older. By the way, what is the Chinese characters for tigers sting, I cannot find any reference anywhere. Thanks.

Bill

its iron,about 4 inches wide and pretty heavy,it has a note with it that states its from around 900 ad.

Wow, Jessee:

You have some of the most interesting objects posted here in the forum and yet they are the most difficult to decipher.

I must kowtow to Mike. He really did a great job and his vast knowledge in both Chinese language and Chinese cultures is simply amazing. I am still learning from him. I would not have any idea what this piece is. I have never seen anything like it. So although the penmanship of the two words here are not that artistic (I can probably do better and Mike much much better), I believe it is because whoever carved them was probably not a scholar. I agree with him that this piece is not modern because I do not believe any Chineses who are still alive today will know what it is. (unless they are herbal doctors or pharmacists.)

The two Chinese characters from top to bottom (or from right to left) are exactly as Mike described:

Xiang Gen (see Characters as listed on Pic 1)

The word "Xiang" I believe is written correctly and in this case it does mean "Cleosia Argentea" as Mike has correctly translated.

The word (or character) "Xiang" is actually the abbreviation for "Qing Xiang" (green xiang)(see pic 2) which means the same Chinese herb - Closia Argentea.

The word "Gen" is just like Mike translated it and it means "root".

Therefore the two words, "Xiang Gen" is indeed the root of the herb, Celosia Argentea.

Now for the definition of Celosia Argentea:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celosia_argentea

��Celosia argentea, commonly known as plumed cockscomb, is a plant of tropical origin, and is known for its very bright color.�� (see pic 3 for this plant)

��Celosia argentea is a tender annual that is often grown in gardens. It is propagated by seeds, and produces up to 43,000 seeds per ounce. The seeds are extremely small.

The Century cultivars are usually taller (1-2 feet), and are bright red, yellow, orange, or pink. The Kimono cultivars are generally smaller (4 inches - 1 foot), and have more muted colors, though similar to the Century cultivars. Other colors, such as white, burgundy, orange-red, etc., can be found. Certain varieties will grow to 3-4 feet in height.��

It looks like Celosia criatala (cockscomb) because their flowers look like the ��crown�� of a rooster. Both of them belong to the family of Amaranthaceae.

For the picture of the cockscomb, refer to:
http://content.edu.tw/primary/nature/ks_ck/goo/plaang8d3.htm

**************************************************
Use of Xiang Gen as an herbal medicine:

The whole plant with or without the root, or part of the plant such as the flowers, seeds, or roots alone, or combination of the above can be used to treat different sicknesses according to the Chinese herbal medicine books.

This is an example of the use of the root of Celosia Argentea:

http://www.cdns.com.tw/20070817/med/jkbj/092000002007081019243722.htm

(Translated)

Qing Xiang (see pic 2)

Get rid of fever and dampness, cleansing liver and beneficial for the eyes.

Other names: xxx, xxx, wild ��Rooster Crown��.
Shape: ��������������..The flowers will initially be light red or purple red, then they will turn silvery-white, has sphere-shaped bulbs. Taste: bitter, with slightly ��chilling�� quality (lower the osmolality of the body).

Effects: 1. Using the whole plant including root for: getting rid of fever, dampness, stop bleeding, getting rid of sores, scabies and hemorrhoid����

Usage: 2. Qing Xiang Gen (root only), one teal (37 gram), made soup with chicken, good for arthritis and body aches.

**************************************************

For more info on Qing Xiang, refer to:

http://baike.baidu.com/view/111806.htm

http://www.hulu.com.tw/tfd/Celosia_1H.htm (show picture of the plant and use of its seeds)

http://mypaper.pchome.com.tw/news/suandru/3/1281807729/20070322182809/
(show beautiful pictures of the Qing Xiang flowers)
**************************************************

Hope this may help.

Bill

you are amazing,thanks a lot!

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