The ten most powerful items for warding off evil spirits 2025
1. Red String
Wearing a red string is not only popular for seeking romantic blessings, but in ancient times, it was also regarded as a way to make wishes. In some regions, children wear red strings on their wrists during the Dragon Boat Festival to ward off illness and evil spirits.
Elders say that wearing a red string can protect you from encountering “unclean things” when walking at night. Therefore, many people wear a red string for protection and to pray for safety and peace, as a symbol of good fortune and mental clarity.
2. Jade
Since ancient times, jade has been considered spiritual. A good piece of jade is believed to shatter when disaster is near, taking the misfortune on behalf of its wearer. In daily life, it's recommended to wear a piece of jade that resonates with you, and remember to care for it sincerely.
3. Peach Wood
Also known as the “immortal wood,” peach wood has long been used to ward off evil. The earliest Spring Festival couplets were carved from peach wood, called "taofu," and even today, many people carry peach wood items to dispel ghosts and evil spirits.
Peach wood wards off ghosts, peach branches repel evil, taofu protects against misfortune, and even peach pits are believed to have protective power. These are often strung together with red cord and worn as necklaces or bracelets.
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4. Five Emperor Coins
The Five Emperor Coins refer to copper coins from the reigns of five Qing Dynasty emperors: Shunzhi, Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong, and Jiaqing. These coins are believed to have the power to ward off evil, prevent petty people from causing harm, dispel negative energy, and attract wealth.
In ancient Chinese folklore, it was common to use old coins for protection. Historical records note that worn square-holed coins, regardless of size, were strung on red thread and worn around the neck. Having passed through many hands, these coins were believed to carry positive energy from numerous households, which could resist evil spirits and malevolent forces.
5. Pixiu (Mythical Beast)
According to legend, the Pixiu is a mythical creature that drives away evil and misfortune. It feeds exclusively on evil spirits and is known for protecting homes and warding off negativity.
In ancient times, people would wear Pixiu talismans for protection and peace. Even today, many people wear Pixiu charms made from various materials as protective amulets and to improve their fortune.
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7. Ox Horn
In Chinese folk tradition, ox horns have long been used to protect homes and ward off evil spirits. This is because ox horns are considered to carry strong yang energy, while ghosts and malevolent spirits are associated with extreme yin energy. Thus, the positive power of ox horns is believed to suppress and counteract evil forces.
For the Miao people especially, the ox is a revered totem. Ox horns symbolize strength in battle and an abundance of yang energy, making them effective tools for warding off evil and dispelling negative influences.
Ox horns are often crafted into everyday items, such as drinking vessels, jewelry like ox horn bracelets and combs, and are even used in traditional therapies like Gua Sha (scraping massage).
Collectors and enthusiasts can also use ox horn to make beaded bracelets or small pendants—it’s a great choice all around.
8. Pig Ear Bone (Pig Fright Bone)
The “Pig Fright Bone” refers to the auditory ossicle found inside a pig's ear, commonly known in folklore as the zhu jing or jing gu (fright bone). In ancient times, people would make pendants out of these bones, threading them with red string and having children under the age of ten wear them on their wrists or ankles to ward off fear and protect against evil.
These two small bones have a naturally unique shape—one side resembles a ghostly face, and the other looks like a dragon’s head. In the Jiaodong region, they have long been considered powerful talismans to calm fear and repel evil spirits.
9. Cinnabar
Cinnabar, known in ancient times as Dan, was closely associated with the search for immortality, especially after the Eastern Han Dynasty when alchemists began developing methods to create it through early chemical processes. Cinnabar was often sprinkled into tombs or placed inside boxes that stored jade artifacts.
Its deep red color symbolizes life force and vitality. Ancient people believed cinnabar absorbed the essence of the sun and moon, making it a substance with extremely strong yang energy. Whether worn as an amulet or used to write spiritual talismans, cinnabar is believed to have the power to dispel evil and drive away ghosts.
10. Gourd (Hulu)
The gourd (hulu) is one of China’s oldest traditional symbols of good fortune and is seen as a totem of the Chinese people. The word hulu is a homophone for “blessing and prosperity” (fu lu), and it is also an important ritual object in Daoist practice. Deities such as the God of Longevity and Laozi are often depicted carrying a gourd on their staffs as a magical item.
Gourds can be made from bronze, wood, jade, and other materials, but collectors and enthusiasts are especially fond of the natural, hand-held varieties used in traditional Chinese art and play—known as hand-play gourds.
The gourd is widely believed to ward off illness. It’s also said to strengthen romantic bonds—if a couple’s connection is weak, placing a gourd by the bedside may help improve affection. Additionally, placing a gourd in the home where someone is ill is believed to aid in healing and recovery.