30-Second Overview:
Bwa-chiao (divination blocks) is the most widespread "human-divine communication" ritual in Taiwanese folk religion. These crescent-shaped wooden blocks carry not only the interest of probability and statistics but also represent a traditional craft on the brink of extinction. Through the dedication of Chiayi artisan Huang Yi-hsun to zhutou-chiao (bamboo blocks), we can see how, behind this ritual, people in Taiwan use physical objects to exchange their inner anxieties and hopes with the gods.
In July 2024, in a studio in Minxiong Township, Chiayi County, 71-year-old Huang Yi-hsun was hunched over, searching through a pile of mud-covered thorny bamboo nodes. He was not looking for ordinary wood, but for bamboo roots buried underground for several years that possess extremely high fiber density. In the lives of Taiwanese people, these seemingly ordinary crescent-shaped wooden blocks act as the ultimate arbiters for decisions regarding moving house, changing jobs, or even marriage.
The Art of Preserving Virtue: A Thousand-Year Promise Within Bamboo
Most people entering a temple might pick up mass-produced plastic chiao (divination blocks) or cheap wooden replicas. However, in Huang Yi-hsun's eyes, those are merely "commodities" rather than "vessels of faith." He insists that the "bamboo nodes" he uses must be from the junction where the rhizome and root of thorny bamboo meet, and they must grow symmetrically.
"I do not make commodities; I am a megaphone for faith," Huang Yi-hsun lamented during an interview with PTS News. A pair of high-quality zhutou-chiao—from collection, sun-drying, and shade-drying to cutting—often requires several years. In Tâi-gí (Taiwanese), the words for "bamboo" (chuk) and "virtue" (tek) are homophonous; thus, these bamboo blocks are imbued with the profound meaning of liu-tek (preserving virtue/bamboo). This is not just craftsmanship, but a form of reverence toward the gods.
📝 Curator's Note: While we chase the speed of finding answers, artisans pursue the depth of material, knowing that only bamboo roots tempered by time can carry the heaviest prayers of the faithful.
The Science of Sheng-chiao: Is the Probability Really Only 50%?
From a mathematical perspective, bwa-chiao divination appears to be a simple binomial distribution problem. One flat side and one convex side result in sheng-chلاق (sacred/affirmative), two flat sides result in xiao-chiao (laughing/uncertain), and two convex sides result in yin-chiao (negative). Theoretically, the probability of a "sacred" result should be 50%.
However, according to research by PanSci and several youth science awards, because the shape of the blocks is not a perfect geometric solid, the center of gravity leans toward the convex side. When the block lands, the probability of the flat side facing up is actually slightly higher than the convex side (approximately 53% to 56%). This means that, aided by physical laws, the gods are actually more generous with "sacred" results than we imagine, falling roughly between 50% and 52%.
This tiny physical deviation can escalate into staggering legends in extreme cases. The Guilai Citian Temple in Pingteng holds an annual "Divination Competition" during the Lunar New Year; for 2026, the grand prize has been increased to 3 million TWD in cash, on the condition that the participant must throw 20 consecutive sheng-chiao. Mathematically, this is a miracle of approximately one in a million (1/2^20). To date, the temple's highest record remains at 17 consecutive blocks—a peak of luck that even a mathematics teacher would find difficult to explain.
Li-chiao: When Physics Temporarily Fails
In Taiwanese temple news, nothing causes more of a sensation than li-chiao (standing blocks)—when the blocks land and balance on their tips or edges, standing upright without falling.
Folklorists usually interpret this as a "major divine instruction" or "manifestation of divine power." However, scientific explanations suggest this is typically related to the friction of the floor, the degree of wear on the edges of the blocks, and the angle of rotation during the throw. Nevertheless, when believers in moments of extreme anxiety witness a pair of standing blocks, the "supernatural" visual impact often instantly transforms into powerful psychological comfort.
"Standing blocks are not common; they represent the gods remaining silent, or that your request is too much," a senior temple caretaker shared on social media. Standing blocks sometimes serve as a divine reminder: you are asking the wrong question, or you already have the answer in your heart—so why bother asking?
📝 Curator's Note: Science explains why the blocks stand; faith explains why we need them to stand.
Challenges and Controversies: The Tug-of-War Between Environment and Tradition
With rising environmental awareness, bwa-chiao divination faces modern challenges. Traditional zhutou-chiao are becoming increasingly rare due to the difficulty of collection and the fact that excavating bamboo roots may damage soil conservation. They are being replaced by plastic materials which, while durable and low-cost, lack the "warmth of connection to the earth."
Furthermore, in recent years, many temples have linked divination to high cash prizes, sparking controversy over the "commercialization of faith." Critics argue that this turns a solemn ritual of inquiry into a form of gambling. Supporters, however, believe this is a "necessary evil" to attract young people into temples and introduce them to traditional culture.
Conclusion: The Crisp Sound of Landing
When that pair of red chiao bounces and flips on the terrazzo floor, finally emitting a crisp "clack," the entire temple seems to hold its breath at that moment.
Regardless of how science explains that 50% probability, or how artisans obsess over the grain of the bamboo root, for the believer kneeling on the mat, that single sheng-chiao is the warmest affirmation in the world. In a modern life full of uncertainty, we still need these crescent-shaped wooden blocks to tell us, through that crisp sound of landing: Do not fear; go ahead and try.
References
- Chiao - Religious Artifacts - National Religious Information Network (Primary source)
- Bamboo block artisan Huang Yi-hsun has persisted in researching bamboo blocks for over 30 years - PTS News (Primary source)
- The probability of a sacred result is higher than you think - PanSci
- Pingteng Guilai Citian Temple Divination Competition - Yahoo News
- The vanishing bamboo blocks: Huang Yi-hsun's efforts and salvation - Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TCCA) online
- Practices and evolutions of bwa-chiao in folk life - China Cultural Heritage Network