Why Can't the Pagoda Tree Be Cut Down? These Reasons You Should Know
The pagoda tree (Sophora japonica) is a characteristic tree species commonly used in courtyards, also known as the Chinese scholar tree, bean pagoda tree, and white pagoda tree. It is a tree of the genus Sophora in the Fabaceae family, with dense branches and leaves forming a canopy like a green umbrella. It is widely used as a street tree in northern China, and is also very suitable for planting in parks, around buildings, in residential neighborhoods, and on lawns. However, legend has it that pagoda trees cannot 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 Chinese character for "huai" (, pagoda tree) is composed of the character for "wood" and the character for "ghost," so the pagoda tree is also called the "ghost pagoda tree." In terms of feng shui, 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 enough time it will grow particularly thick and sturdy. Folk legends often say it develops spiritual essence, and that deities may reside in it. If one rashly cuts down the tree, one would offend the resident deities. 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 of its heavy yin energy, it easily attracts ghosts to attach themselves, and in feng shui it is forbidden to plant near houses. For example, in ancient Chinese legends there are frequent stories about pagoda trees, such as the old pagoda tree in the tale of the Seven Fairies, the great Huai'an Kingdom under a pagoda tree in the story "A Dream of Nanke" which was actually an ant hole beneath a pagoda tree, and so on. Moreover, ancient people who hanged themselves also preferred to choose pagoda trees.
What are the four great ghost trees?
The four great ghost trees are the mulberry tree, willow tree, pagoda tree, and poplar tree. There is a folk rhyme about "house taboos" that is widely circulated, namely: "No mulberry in front, no willow in back, no ghost-clapping tree before the door." "Mulberry" is homophonous with "mourning"; planting mulberry in front of the house is superstitiously called "mourning in front." "Willow" is homophonous with "slip away"; planting willow behind the house means wealth will slip away from behind. There is also a saying that willows do not bear seeds, so if a willow is planted behind the house there will be no descendants. When the wind blows, poplar leaves rustle loudly, commonly known as "ghost clapping." Do not plant pagoda trees behind the house, for the pagoda tree is the ghost among trees.