The Art of Chinese Traditional Folk Divination: The Mirror Listening Method

The Chinese nation boasts a rich cultural heritage that spans over five thousand years, with Chinese folk divination standing out as a remarkable cultural practice.

Chinese folk divination finds its roots in ancient and primitive times, when people sought to understand the universe and nature. Through the examination of various observable phenomena, they identified unified principles, which generations of wise philosophers refined and abstracted. These eventually formed a method for predicting the successes and failures, fortunes and misfortunes of people, events, and things across time.

Starting today, Dr. Zheng will consistently share methods of Chinese folk divination for friends to study and reference. The first method introduced is called "Mirror Listening," a traditional custom known for its unique and effective approach to predicting fortune and misfortune.

Mirror Listening divination is employed to predict good or bad fortune. This tradition has been preserved through generations and is still practiced today. It is also referred to as "Listening to the Mirror," "Listening to Sounds Divination," or "Ear Divination." Dr. Zheng outlines the process as follows:

On New Year's Eve or the night of the first day of the lunar new year, place a spoon in a pot filled with water, offer a prayer, and then spin the spoon. Follow the direction indicated by the spoon's handle, take a mirror outside, and listen for conversations. The first sentence you overhear will reveal the answer to your prayer.

In ancient times, during the Spring Festival when families gathered, some husbands were away from home. Thus, the wives would use the "Mirror Listening" method on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day to predict the safety and return of their loved ones.

The Tang Dynasty poet Wang Jian composed a poem titled "Mirror Listening," vividly depicting a woman's entire process of "Mirror Listening" on New Year’s Eve, rich with folk traditions: "Gently caressing the wedding mirror, my husband travels far, relying on the mirror to listen. Turning back, I won’t let others know, for the mirror’s spirit is sacred. In my arms, I tidy up the double silk ribbons, fearing to encounter surprise on the street. Sighing and offering sacrifices at the threshold, I kneel alone before the stove: 'I wish not to hear sorrow upon leaving, whether my husband returns or not.' Under the bright moon, people pass by, good words come from all directions. Rolling up the curtain to bed, joy is uncertain, as I cut fabric for my husband, losing track of time. If we meet in three days, I will re-embroider the silk pouch and polish the mirror's surface."

Dr. Zheng analyzes "Mirror Listening": This woman secretly holds the makeup mirror, prays before the stove, and listens on the road. Hearing people casually speak auspicious words, she joyfully returns home, unable to sleep from excitement, and eagerly rises to make new clothes for her husband. She promises that if her husband indeed returns within three days, she will re-embroider a silk pouch and have a craftsman polish the mirror to express gratitude. "Mirror Listening" was a popular divination method among people in that era.

Pu Songling also wrote a brief story, only about 300 words long, yet it skillfully portrays the ancient Chinese practice of Mirror Listening with dramatic flair. Dr. Zheng recounts this story:

In Qingzhou, Shandong, there were two brothers from the Zheng family, both talented scholars. The elder, Da Zheng, gained fame early, and their parents spoiled him, extending their affection to his wife as well. The younger brother, Xiao Zheng, faced a more challenging path; he was carefree and not fond of studying, leading to his parents treating him indifferently. Being their son, they felt disappointment rather than resentment. Sadly, their dissatisfaction fell on the younger daughter-in-law, who bore the brunt of their frustrations. The text states:

"Traditionally, the relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law is difficult, and in the Zheng family, even the father-in-law looked down on the younger daughter-in-law. Anyone would find this unbearable, especially with the constant comparison to the elder brother's family, which strained the sisters-in-law's relationship and threatened family harmony."

Feeling wronged, the younger daughter-in-law couldn't take her frustrations out on her in-laws or brother-in-law, so she vented on her husband. She often scolded Xiao Zheng, even refusing to sleep with him.

Xiao Zheng, being a man of pride, wasn't troubled by his family's disdain but was upset by his wife's contempt. Reflecting on past actions, he realized the distress he'd caused her. Determined to change, Xiao Zheng devoted himself to studying, and his talent soon earned him respect. His parents' attitude improved, though he still didn't outshine Da Zheng.

Seeing her husband's growth, the younger daughter-in-law was pleased and had higher hopes for him. As the local examination approached, she grew more anxious than her husband. On New Year's Eve, she secretly took a bronze mirror outside to listen for predictions. She overheard two people joking, "You too, go cool off." Puzzled about whether this was a good or bad omen, she let it pass.

After the exams, the brothers returned home. It was hot, and both daughters-in-law were cooking. News arrived that the elder brother had passed. Their mother excitedly rushed to the kitchen to congratulate the elder daughter-in-law: "The eldest son has succeeded; you can go cool off." With his success, the family shared the glory, and the elder daughter-in-law no longer needed to toil in the kitchen heat.

In contrast, the younger daughter-in-law felt downcast, pondering why her husband couldn’t measure up. Her grievances grew until news broke of Xiao Zheng’s success!

In a moment of vindication, she jubilantly stopped her work, tossed the rolling pin aside, exclaiming, "I can cool off too!" Reflecting, she realized her "Mirror Listening" prophecy had materialized. Her reaction was authentic; enduring prolonged injustice, her joy overflowed.

When the younger daughter-in-law performed divination, using a bronze mirror and listening to external chatter, she engaged in an ancient custom. The Qing Dynasty reference book "Yue Ling Cui Bian" records: "On New Year's Eve... take the mirror outside and quietly listen to conversations; the first sentence heard is an omen for the diviner." While "New Year's Day" commonly refers to the lunar new year's first day, local customs permit it on New Year's Eve or the first night. The general practice involves holding a bronze mirror and listening; the first heard sentence guides the divination.

With the Mirror Listening story concluded, Dr. Zheng addresses a key question: Can Mirror Listening divination be practiced beyond New Year's celebrations? Dr. Zheng affirms it can. The updated procedure is as follows:

• Time—It's best to choose the night of the first or fifteenth day of the lunar month.
• Equipment—Carry a small mirror in your pocket or bag, like a compact mirror.
• Method—At your doorstep, create a small paper airplane and toss it. Walk in the direction it points until you overhear a stranger's comment (focus on the first sentence).
• Note—Before leaving, maintain calmness and pray silently, repeating the same wish seven times.
• Divination—Use the first overheard sentence from a stranger as part of your divination process.

Friends, feel free to try it, but remember: you can perform divination only once a day. Sincerity is essential; with sincerity comes results.

Images and text sourced from: Qian Ku Network