The Meaning and Symbolism of Hexiang Beads (Combined-Fragrance Beads)

In culture and tradition, Hexiang Beads (Combined-Fragrance Beads) embody the meanings of praying for blessings and good fortune, warding off evil and filth, balancing the body and mind, and inheriting culture. They carry people’s aspirations for a better life and blessings, and integrate the thoughts of Taoism, Confucianism and other schools of thought.

• Praying for blessings and good fortune: Hexiang Beads are regarded as a symbol of praying for blessings, carrying people’s aspirations for a better life and their blessings.
• Warding off evil and filth: Ancient people believed that wearing Hexiang Beads could ward off evil and filth, a concept rooted in the belief in the mysterious power of fragrance.
• Balancing the body and mind: The medicinal materials in Hexiang Beads are carefully blended, which can help the wearer regulate qi and blood, and balance the body and mind.
• Cultural inheritance: As an important carrier of traditional Chinese fragrance culture, Hexiang Beads integrate the thoughts of Taoism, Confucianism and other schools of thought.
• These implied meanings reflect the ancient people’s understanding of nature, health and spiritual pursuit, and still hold unique value in modern society.

Notes on Key Terms:

1. 合香珠 (Hexiang Beads): Literally translated as "Combined-Fragrance Beads" to highlight the core feature of blending multiple aromatic materials. The pinyin "Hexiang Beads" is retained for cultural specificity, as there is no direct equivalent in English.
2. 邪秽 (evil and filth): Translated to convey both the "evil" (supernatural or negative forces) and "filth" (impurity, physical or spiritual) implied in the original term, which carries traditional Chinese concepts of warding off undesirable elements.
3. 气血 (qi and blood): A core concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). "Qi" refers to the vital energy flowing in the body, and "blood" to the bodily fluid that nourishes organs. The translation retains the pinyin "qi" (a widely recognized TCM term in English) alongside "blood" for accuracy.