Chinese Eight Treasures charms (Traditional Chinese: 八寶錢; Simplified Chinese: 八宝钱; Pinyin: bā bǎo qián), also known as the "Eight Precious Things charms" and the "Eight Auspicious Treasures charms",[3][4][5] are coin amulets that depict the Eight Treasures.[4] Those most commonly depicted on older charms are the ceremonial ruyi (sceptre), coral, lozenge, rhinoceros horns, sycees, stone chimes, and flaming pearl.[4] Eight Treasures charms can alternatively display the eight precious organs of the Buddha's body, the eight auspicious signs, various emblems of the eight Immortals from Taoism, or eight normal Chinese character.[4]
They often have thematic inscriptions.[4] For example a Chinese eight treasures charm on display at the Museum of Ethnography, Sweden has the inscription Chángmìng fùguì jīnyù mǎntáng (長命富貴金玉滿堂) which could be translated as "longevity, wealth and honour - may gold and jade fill your house (halls)".
^Terese Tse Bartholomew. Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art Hong Kong: Asian Art Museum-Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture. 2006 ISBN0-939117-36-3
^ abcde"The Eight Treasures – 八寶". Gary Ashkenazy / גארי אשכנזי (Primaltrek – a journey through Chinese culture). 16 November 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
^The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine: A New Translation of the Neijing Suwen with Commentary by Maoshing Ni.