Fu-lu Chin.; magical talismans used by many schools of religious Taoism (tao-chiao). According to tradition, the first to use fu-lu was Chang Tao-ling, to whom they were revealed by Lao-tzu.
Fu-lu are strips of paper, metal, or bamboo, inscribed with lines that resemble Chinese writing, and are said to protect the wearer against illness and ward off demons. The use of such talismans was most widespread in the school of the cheng-i tao.
Originally fu-lu were contracts written on small pieces of paper or metal and then split in two, so that each party would hold half of such a contract. The fu-lu employed by celestial masters (t’ien-shih) were magic formulae to guarantee that contracts entered into with deities would be honored. Taoist believers promised the deities to abstain from sinful actions, and the deities in return undertook to ensure that a believer making such a promise does not fall ill. The fu-lu symbolized these contracts. Later, however, they were used as contracts for all important transactions. According to Ko Hung the wearing of fu-lu, when engaged in a special project such as a search for the draught of longevity, was of paramount importance. Without such a talisman one would be in danger of falling prey to the spirits, and the genies ruling the mountains would conceal the desired substances (herbs or minerals) from the seeker.
Nowadays fu-lu are mainly of psychological signifi cance. They are believed to heal sicknesses, facilitate giving birth, and ward off misfortunes and disasters.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zen. Shambhala Publications, Inc.
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