In the ancient Western Jin Dynasty, historian Sima Biao's "Continuation of the Book of Han" recorded a ritual called "expelling pestilence". This ritual was performed on the day before La Festival, led by selected sons of imperial guards wearing red headbands and black uniforms, holding large tambourines, along with the Fangxiangshi. The Fangxiangshi wore a costume with four golden eyes, covered in bear skin, dressed in dark clothes with a vermilion skirt, and held a dagger-axe and shield. Additionally, there were twelve beasts, all wearing fur and horns. Led by the imperial guard escorts, they entered the forbidden palace to expel evil spirits.
Similarly, in the Southern Song Dynasty, historian Fan Ye's "Book of Later Han: Treatise on Rites" also recorded a similar account. On the day before La Festival, a grand Nuo ceremony was held to expel pestilence demons. The ritual was performed by 120 selected sons of imperial guards, aged between ten and twelve, wearing red headbands and black uniforms, holding large tambourines. The Fangxiangshi wore a costume with four golden eyes, covered in bear skin, dressed in dark clothes with a vermilion skirt, and held a dagger-axe and shield. The twelve beasts also wore fur and horns. Led by the imperial guard escorts, they entered the forbidden palace to expel evil spirits.
In ancient society, this ritual was an important method for exorcising evil and avoiding disasters. Through this practice, people hoped to eliminate diseases and calamities, and pray for peace and good fortune.
