Can anyone provide, or direct me to, pictures of a lìngjiàn (令箭)? It is described as an arrow-shaped token of military authority, but the same term also applies to a Daoist ritual implement. Did the design of these objects vary between regions? I would greatly appreciate any information.

Thanks,
Melanie

Okay, it appears that lingjian images are few and far between Let's try another approach. I have attached an image of an artifact of unknown purpose, attributed to the Dian culture. If this is not a lingjian, does anyone have any idea what it might be?

The bronze is flat, and back side is unadorned. It measures 18 1/4" L, 5 7/16" W and about 1/8" thick (46.3cm, 13.9cm W, 0.3 cm thick). Despite some earlier suggestions, it does not appear to have any relation to a scabbard. The one loop is thin and positioned in such a way that the bronze would hand at a sharp angle, if suspended from that loop. Instead, it is theorized that the bronze was not suspended from the loop, but that a ribbon or tassel was hung from the loop.

As always, I would appreciate any information.

Thanks,
Melanie

Ah, many thanks! I can see why our artifact reminded someone of the token. We still cannot say, for certain, if the piece I am studying was such a token, particularly since it is rather large, but at least we have a starting point for the research.

As for the tokens not being recorded until the W.S. period, that works too. Since our piece is purported Dian culture, and most of the Dian artifacts I have encountered date concurrent with the Western Han, it is still possible that the bronze did serve the purpose of a military token.

Thanks much,
Melanie