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Pixiu — the Chinese wealth-guardian

Pixiu

The mythical Chinese wealth-guardian — son of the Dragon King, sworn to attract prosperity and devour misfortune. Mystic World is the only maker to offer the twin-antlered female Bi Xie, restoring the complete pair.

Physical Characteristics

Hardness Mohs 5–5.5 (obsidian carving)
Composition Volcanic glass, hand-carved
Mineral Family Feng-shui charm / Carved amulet
Lustre Vitreous

Associations

Planet ♃ Jupiter
Zodiac all
Element Metal, Earth
Chakra Root, Sacral, Solar Plexus
FromRs 8,000

Healing Properties

  • Wealth attraction (male Tian Lu, single antler)
  • Guarding gathered wealth (female Bi Xie, twin antler — MW exclusive)
  • Protection against bad luck
  • Career advancement
  • Repels negative qi
  • Business success
  • Safeguards accumulated savings

Colour

Onyx black
Smoke grey

About Pixiu

Pixiu (貔貅, also Pi Yao) is the most celebrated wealth-talisman in Chinese feng shui — a mythical creature with the body of a winged lion, the head of a dragon, and an insatiable appetite for gold, silver, and jewels. According to legend, the Jade Emperor punished Pixiu for breaking a divine rule by sealing its digestive tract, condemning it to devour fortune for all eternity without ever releasing it. From that day, those who wore Pixiu close to their bodies believed wealth would flow toward them and never leave.

Pixiu is most often hand-carved from black obsidian — the dense volcanic glass that traditional practitioners consider the most protective of all natural materials. The pairing is intentional: obsidian's absorbing nature reinforces Pixiu's wealth-retaining mythology. The carving carries a small slot for the elastic cord and is worn as the centrepiece of the bracelet.

Wearing etiquette matters in feng shui tradition. Pixiu is traditionally worn on the LEFT wrist, with its head facing OUTWARD (away from the body) so that wealth flows in from the world toward the wearer. Never on the right (the giving hand), and never with the head turned inward (which is said to repel fortune). After each wear, gently stroke its back to thank it — practitioners insist on this small ritual.

Beyond wealth, Pixiu is historically credited with two other qualities: it repels malevolent qi (negative energy), and it guards accumulated savings — especially valued during volatile financial seasons. Business owners in the Sino-Mauritian community traditionally place it on their wrist for important meetings, contract signings, and the first day of trading after Chinese New Year.

History

Pixiu (貔貅, also Pi Yao) is a winged, lion-bodied dragon from Chinese mythology — the ninth son of the Dragon King, punished by the Jade Emperor to feed only on gold and silver and to seal them inside its body for ever. The legend made it the supreme wealth-talisman in feng shui: a creature that swallows fortune from every direction and never lets it out. Most often carved from obsidian, the dense black volcanic glass that magnifies its protective nature. What almost every bracelet on the market forgets is that Pixiu comes as a PAIR, told apart by their antlers. The male — Tian Lu (天禄), single-antlered — goes forth and GATHERS wealth. The female — Bi Xie (辟邪), twin-antlered — GUARDS what is gathered and wards off the misfortune that follows money. Classical tradition worked them together: income and insurance, the hunt and the vault. Yet mass production standardised on the single-antler male decades ago, and the female was quietly dropped — the world's Pixiu bracelets have been half a tradition ever since. Mystic World restored the missing half. We researched the twin-antlered canon, designed the female Bi Xie ourselves, and cast her in-house with the Mystic World logo engraved on the reverse as authentication. To our knowledge, ours is the only two-antler Pixiu bracelet available anywhere — sold singly, or as the complete gathering-and-guarding pair, from our atelier in Pointe Aux Sables.

Care

SmudgingMoonlightSound WaterSalt waterHarsh chemicals

Delivery & Pickup in Mauritius

Handcrafted in 3–5 working days at our Pointe Aux Sables atelier. Ready-strung pieces in this stone can be collected same-day from the boutique at 61A Cerisiers Avenue, or shipped by paid courier across the island.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pixiu and is it a stone?

Pixiu is not a stone — it is a hand-carved feng-shui charm in the shape of a mythological Chinese creature, typically carved from black obsidian. The obsidian provides the protective base; the Pixiu form provides the wealth-attracting mythology. Together they form a single talisman bead.

Which wrist should I wear Pixiu on?

Traditionally the left wrist, with the head of the creature facing outward (away from your body). Left is the receiving side in feng shui; outward-facing head means wealth flows toward you from the world. Wearing on the right or with the head inward is said to reverse the effect.

How do I care for a Pixiu bracelet?

Never use water or salt water — both damage obsidian's polished surface and would gradually weaken the carving. Wipe with a dry microfibre cloth. Cleanse energetically by smudging with incense or resting it briefly on dry earth. Recharge under moonlight overnight every full moon. Many practitioners also gently rub the back of the Pixiu after each wear, as a quiet acknowledgment.

Can a non-Chinese wearer use Pixiu?

Yes. The tradition is Chinese in origin but the meaning is universal — a charm worn with respect for the source culture. Many practitioners in Mauritius's mixed-heritage community wear Pixiu alongside Vedic or Christian symbols without any conflict. What matters is the intention and care.

Design yours in the Crystal Canvas

Open the Crystal Canvas with pixiu pre-selected. Choose your bead size (6mm, 8mm, or 10mm) and cord style.

Open the Crystal Canvas →