fashi

Daoist magician

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June 26, 2026

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The term "fashi" refers to a magician within the context of communal folk Taoism, also known as shenjiao. These magicians are distinct from orthodox Taoist priests, who perform "great rites," while fashi handle "little rites".1

The fashi's specific role involves manipulating possessed mediums. These mediums, who are lay individuals with special gifts, enter a trance to channel deities or deceased relatives, offering advice on various matters. The fashi then interprets this guidance. While orthodox priests handle major exorcisms, the fashi focuses on this form of mediumistic communication.1

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Taoism
Communal folk Taoism (shenjiao)
… in modern times is the fashi (magician). For the orthodox Taoist priests the shenjiao rites are the “little rites”; the jiao rituals, the exclusive function of the Taoist priests, are the “great rites.” Both kinds of priests—the orthodox and the magicians—operate on different occasions in the same temples and are…
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… in modern times is the fashi (magician). For the orthodox Taoist priests the shenjiao rites are the “little rites”; the jiao rituals, the exclusive function of the Taoist priests, are the “great rites.” Both kinds of priests—the orthodox and the magicians—operate on different occasions in the same temples and are…
Read More