Tao Magic: The Secret Language of Diagrams and Calligraphy [Paperback]

Laszlo Legeza (Author), Ireneus Laszlo Legeza (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (May 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500270627
• ISBN-13: 978-0500270622
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,840,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A First Look at Taoist Magic Not Calligraphy, November 21, 2001

By 

Tan Kwan Seng (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tao Magic: The Secret Language of Diagrams and Calligraphy (Paperback)

I have read some Chinese books on Taoist magic and I think this is a fairly first-look for Westerners. On the down side, it isn't comprehensive in any aspect, as such one cannot perform any Taoist magic based on the information in this book. It provides interesting and correct information, but the information is not enough.

I think some of the readers have misunderstood the purpose of this book. This book is not to be used as a source for tattoo designs. Taoist charms/talismans often comprise Chinese calligraphic characters and in addition, various symbols eg. 3 dots written horizonally which has symbolic meanings. A taoist magician knows such symbolisms and the associated chants (if it needs a chant to "activate") of the talisman/charm. I was burnt by a talisman and it took me a few years for the scar to heal completely. I was a disbeliever then. Now, to me, it is not a matter of whether Taoist magic works but rather, based on what that makes it work... this book does not cover this even at a beginner's level. It is just a sort of "entertainment", light-reading about Taoist magic.

For people looking for Chinese calligraphy for tattoos, this is not for that purpose. It is about Taoist magic, not Chinese calligraphic designs!!

This book is a first-look at Taoist magic only. Do not expect to be able to perform any magick after reading it... as it requires much more information and understanding than provided by this book. In fact, in chanting spells, it is also a requisite to pronounce Chinese words correctly and also knowledge of the various deities in Taoist folklore.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Highly academic, March 12, 2006

By 

Alexander M "Alex M" (San Diego) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tao Magic: The Secret Language of Diagrams and Calligraphy (Paperback)

This book is a sheer disspointment, as the talisman are just copied from the Dao-tsang. It does not reveal how the talisman is drawn, the rituals involved etc... It's just a collection of talisman bound together with narrations and nothing more.

I would suggest you guys to read instead "The Secret of Taoist Talisman Revealed" ISBN 983-3206-00-X By Wilson Yong.

18 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Poor quality overall. Not pleased with this specific product, November 18, 1999

By 

Andrew Hollway (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tao Magic: The Secret Language of Diagrams and Calligraphy (Paperback)

I purchased this book for "high quality artwork" and depictions and translations of chinese charachters. The artistry is poor to say the least, and the amount of information leaves a bit to be desired. I did not find this book to be a source of artwork worthy of being applied to the skin as a tattoo either. Overall I found the book overglorified.