Why Can't the Pagoda Tree Be Cut Down? An Analysis of the Reasons

The pagoda tree (Sophora japonica) is a characteristic tree species commonly used in courtyards, also known as Chinese scholar tree, bean pagoda tree, white pagoda tree, etc. It is a tree of the genus Sophora in the Fabaceae family, with dense branches and leaves forming a canopy of green shade. In northern China it is mostly used as a street tree, and is also very suitable for planting in parks, around buildings, in neighborhood residential areas and on lawns, but legend says the pagoda tree must not be cut down carelessly. Let's take a look below at why the pagoda tree cannot be cut down!

Why can't the pagoda tree be cut down?

The character “huai” (pagoda tree) is composed of a “wood” and a “ghost” radical, so the pagoda tree also has the title of ghost pagoda tree. In feng shui terms, the pagoda tree belongs to yin, and is also called the ghost among trees. At the same time, the pagoda tree is not easy to grow, but if given time it will grow especially thick and sturdy, and folk legend often holds that it develops spiritual power and that immortals reside in it. If one rashly cuts the tree down, one would offend the resident spirits. Therefore, ancient pagoda trees have feng shui significance and should not be cut down casually!

Why is the pagoda tree a ghost tree?

The reason the pagoda tree is called the pagoda tree is because it is the ghost among trees; because its yin energy is heavy it easily attracts ghosts to possess it, and in feng shui it is forbidden to plant it near a house. For example, in ancient Chinese legends there are often pagoda trees, the old pagoda tree in the tale of the Seven Fairies, the great Huai'an kingdom under the pagoda tree in the story “A Dream of South Branch” which was actually an ant hole beneath a pagoda tree, and so on; moreover, in ancient times people who hanged themselves also liked to choose a pagoda tree.

Which are the four great ghost trees?

The four great ghost trees are the mulberry, the willow, the pagoda tree and the poplar. There is a folk rhyme about “house taboos” that is widely circulated, namely “no mulberry in front, no willow behind, no ghost-clapping hands before the door.” “mulberry” and “mourning” are homophones; planting a mulberry in front of the house is superstitiously called “mourning in front.” “willow” and “slip away” are homophones; planting a willow behind the house means wealth will slip away from behind, and there is also a saying that the willow does not bear seeds, so if a willow is planted behind the house there will be no descendants. When the poplar meets the wind, its leaves rustle loudly, commonly known as “ghost-clapping hands.” Do not plant a pagoda tree behind the house, for the pagoda tree is the ghost among trees.