How to make a simple peach wood sword (桃木剑, Táomù jiàn) In Chinese folklore, peach wood (桃木taomu) is believed to have potent spirit-repelling properties. Traditionally used in Daoist rituals, peach wood swords are symbols of protection, hung by doors to ward off evil, or wielded by priests to expel ghosts. The practice dates back to myths like the "Peach Wood Guardian" (桃符taofu) and is tied to the god-catching deity Zhong Kui. The red color pigment is cinnabar with rooster blood added into it, which also has a powerful effect in warding off evil spirits. If someone frequently experience sleep paralysis (鬼压床 guiyachuang, lit ghost pressing the bed) or nightmares, some masters may advise them to hang a peach wood sword (táomù jiàn) in the bedroom as a solution.