Home   | New Year Gala   | Year of Tiger   | Festival Traditions   | Videos & Audios   | Photo Gallery   |  
 
Tiger Tally

A ‘tally’, or fu 符, in many cases, was a special two-piece object granted to people – usually officers – of ancient China as a representation of authority or identification. One piece was held by a certain person or in a certain location and the other, carried on the officer’s person, was matched when verification was necessary. Certain types of special fu were assigned to high-ranking officers at places like the capital palaces and were used as symbols of authority or to gain clearance. On a more general level, fu made of simple material such as wood or iron may be handed out to guests entering certain areas for use inside and repossessed upon their exit. During the Han and Three Kingdoms periods the fu held by high-ranking officers were usually made of bronze and separated from the shape of a tiger.

Tiger-shaped fu, properly identified as hufu 虎符, are better known today as ‘Tiger Tallies’. Hufu is the proper representation of ‘Tiger Tally’ but you will frequently come upon them being referred to as fujie 符节, which was actually a more general term used to represent symbols of authority – but was most commonly associated with the official seal and ribbon, the true representation of rank in these periods. Tiger Tallies (hufu) are perhaps among the most interesting relics from ancient China. Because they were uncommon in this period, they have become extremely rare and valuable today. Here we present tiger tallies from different periods of Chinese history for you to enjoy.

Spring and Autumn Period Tiger Tallies

Tiger tallies from the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC)

 
Qin Dynasty Tiger Tallies
Tiger tallies from the Qin dynasty (221–207 BC)
 

Tiger Tally of Yangling Qin Dynasty 

 8.9 cm long, 2.l cm wide, 3.4 cm tall.


New Year Customs


Follow Me