About Fuzi

A fuzi, also known as a fuchen, is a type of fly-whisk, consisting of a short staff with hair that are used as instruments by Chan Buddhist monks and Taoist daoshi. Originally used as a tool to shoo away flies from livestock without injuring them, it eventually came to be adopted by Buddhism and Taoism as it was perceived as having the power to sweep away desires and evil influences both in the environment of the holder and within their own thoughts, bringing them closer to enlightenment or transcending the mortal realm.