The Eight Zodiac Guardians and 36-Marshal Talisman Painting Scroll is a series of eight masterworks, one for each Zodiac Guardian (本命佛) of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs. Each painting is hand-drawn by Grand Master David Goh and one of a kind. In every scroll, a Buddha or Bodhisattva appears in full form beneath their seed syllable (种子字) in Sanskrit script, encircled by a great halo of the Thirty-Six Marshals of the Thunder Division (雷部三十六帅). Each unites Buddhist and Taoist lineages in a single composition.
Two Lineages, One Composition
The Zodiac Guardians belong to the Buddhist tradition. Each of the twelve zodiac signs is watched over by one of eight Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, a guardian who accompanies the person born under that sign for life.
The Thirty-Six Marshals belong to the Taoist tradition. They are not an anonymous host. Each commands one of the thirty-six thunder mansions and carries his own named authority, and across their combined ranks they hold the mandate to clear obstacles, ward off malevolent forces and protect the bearer’s person and enterprise.
Grand Master David Goh brings the two together in this series. In each scroll, the Zodiac Guardian stands at the centre in full form, and the Thirty-Six Marshals form the great halo around them. The compassion and wisdom of the guardian are joined to the protective command of the Thunder Division, so that what blesses and what protects work as one.
The Authority Behind Every Scroll
A talisman scroll draws its authority from the hand that conceives it. Grand Master David Goh (吴宸翔大师) is the lineage holder of a transmitted Taoist lineage, with the formal standing to invoke celestial figures such as the Thunder Patriarch (雷祖) and to direct their mandate into consecrated objects. It is this lineage, rather than artistic licence alone, that gives each scroll its authority.
The same doctrine runs through the Imperial Harvest Talisman Calligraphic Art (御鼎豐符箓卷轴) collection, in which the Thirty-Six Marshals anchor the Large scrolls. The Zodiac Guardian scrolls carry that authority to a new subject: the personal guardian of each zodiac sign.
The Design of Every Scroll
Each of the eight scrolls is built on the same sacred architecture, so that every Zodiac Guardian is presented with equal ceremony.
Hand-drawn and one of a kind. Every scroll is drawn by hand by Grand Master David Goh. No two are alike: each painting is a single, original work, and the scroll you receive exists nowhere else.
The seed syllable and the Bagua. At the head of each scroll, the guardian’s seed syllable (种子字) is written in gold in Sanskrit script. In the Buddhist esoteric tradition, a seed syllable is the single sacred letter that holds the essence of a Buddha or Bodhisattva: the guardian’s presence in its most concentrated form. Behind it sits the Bagua (八卦), the Eight Trigrams of Taoist cosmology, so that the two lineages meet at the very crown of the composition.
The halo of the Thirty-Six Marshals. Below the seed syllable, the Thirty-Six Marshals of the Thunder Division are rendered in talismanic script, arranged in concentric arcs that form a great halo around the guardian. The marshals do not stand apart from the Zodiac Guardian. They surround and enclose them, a protective field drawn in gold.
Dragons and auspicious clouds. Tonal dragons and auspicious clouds (祥云) move through the background, visible as the light catches the scroll.
Gold on plum, mounted in silver. Every figure is drawn in gold line on a field of Imperial Harvest plum, with the Imperial Harvest emblem above and the words Prospering Every Generation at the foot. The painting is mounted with textured silver borders and finished with dark wooden rollers.
Which Zodiac Guardian Is Yours
| Zodiac | Zodiac Guardian |
|---|---|
| Rat | Thousand Hands Guan Yin (千手观音) |
| Ox and Tiger | Akasagarbha Bodhisattva (虚空藏菩萨) |
| Rabbit | Manjusri Bodhisattva (文殊菩萨) |
| Dragon and Snake | Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (普贤菩萨) |
| Horse | Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva (得大势菩萨) |
| Goat and Monkey | Vairochana Buddha (大日如来佛) |
| Rooster | Acalanatha (不动明王) |
| Dog and Boar | Amitabha Buddha (阿弥陀佛) |
In Bazi, the zodiac year begins at the Start of Spring (立春) in early February rather than on 1 January. Those born in January or early February should confirm their zodiac sign with their Imperial Harvest consultant.
The Eight Zodiac Guardian Talisman Scrolls
1. Thousand Hands Guan Yin and Thirty-Six Marshals Zodiac Guardian Talisman Scroll (御鼎豐千手观音三十六帅本命佛符箓卷轴)
For those born in the Year of the Rat
The Design: Crowned by her seed syllable in Sanskrit script, the Thousand Hands Guan Yin stands in full form upon a lotus throne (莲花座), encircled by a great halo of the Thirty-Six Marshals of the Thunder Division. Her central hands are joined in prayer at the heart, and a small seated Buddha rests in her crown.
Around her, her many arms fan outwards, each hand holding a sacred implement: the sun disc and the crescent moon, the Dharma wheel, a pagoda, a lotus and the vajra among them. Each implement is a means of help, so that whatever form a difficulty takes, one of her hands is ready to meet it. The lotus beneath her feet rises clean from muddy water, the seat of a presence that remains pure in every circumstance.
The Blessing: Her countless hands reach out in every direction, and the eye in each palm sees what others miss. Joined with the marshals’ authority to guard against calamity, the scroll is invoked for foresight, resilience and prosperity: the capacity to carry many responsibilities at once, to recognise risk before it arrives, and to draw support from every side.
2. Akasagarbha Bodhisattva and Thirty-Six Marshals Zodiac Guardian Talisman Scroll (御鼎豐虚空藏菩萨三十六帅本命佛符箓卷轴)
For those born in the Years of the Ox and Tiger
The Design: Beneath his seed syllable in Sanskrit script, Akasagarbha Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva of Limitless Wisdom and Wealth, sits in full lotus posture upon a lotus throne (莲花座), within a great halo of the Thirty-Six Marshals of the Thunder Division. Flames rise along the crest of the halo.
In his right hand he holds the flaming sword upright, the blade that cuts through ignorance and indecision. In his left he holds the lotus bearing the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel (如意宝珠), the treasure that answers every sincere aspiration. Wisdom and wealth are held in balance, one in each hand: the clarity to choose well, and the abundance that follows.
The Blessing: As the sword cuts through indecision and the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel answers sincere aspiration, the scroll is invoked for clarity in decision-making and the resourcefulness to build lasting prosperity. The marshals stand guard over what is built, so that wealth once gathered is held.
3. Manjusri Bodhisattva and Thirty-Six Marshals Zodiac Guardian Talisman Scroll (御鼎豐文殊菩萨三十六帅本命佛符箓卷轴)
For those born in the Year of the Rabbit
The Design: His seed syllable in Sanskrit script presides above Manjusri Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva of Supreme Wisdom, depicted in full form riding upon a lion and haloed by the Thirty-Six Marshals of the Thunder Division.
His right hand raises the flaming sword of wisdom overhead, poised to sever confusion at its root. His left hand holds a lotus bearing the Prajñāpāramitā Sutra (般若经), the scripture of the Perfection of Wisdom. The lion beneath him is the fearless voice of that wisdom: insight that does not hesitate and is not cowed.
The Blessing: Manjusri’s sword dispels confusion and hesitation, and the marshals clear the path ahead. Together they are invoked to sharpen judgement and learning, empowering the owner to lead with strategic brilliance and to seize opportunity with confidence when it arrives.
4. Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Thirty-Six Marshals Zodiac Guardian Talisman Scroll (御鼎豐普贤菩萨三十六帅本命佛符箓卷轴)
For those born in the Years of the Dragon and Snake
The Design: Samantabhadra Bodhisattva appears in full beneath his seed syllable in Sanskrit script, seated upon a lotus borne by an adorned elephant and framed by a great halo of the Thirty-Six Marshals of the Thunder Division.
His palms are joined in the Anjali Mudra (合掌印), also known as Gassho, which symbolises the first of his Ten Great Vows: to pay homage and respect to all Buddhas (礼敬诸佛). The elephant, traditionally the six-tusked white elephant, is draped in jewels and tassels. It is the image of steady, unstoppable strength: great aspiration carried forward step by step until it is fulfilled.
The Blessing: Embodying virtue and decisive action, Samantabhadra is invoked for visionary leadership and the perseverance to see great undertakings through. His vow of reverence draws respect and goodwill in return, and the marshals’ protective command supports breakthroughs in both personal and professional pursuits.
5. Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva and Thirty-Six Marshals Zodiac Guardian Talisman Scroll (御鼎豐得大势菩萨三十六帅本命佛符箓卷轴)
For those born in the Year of the Horse
The Design: Crowned by his seed syllable in Sanskrit script, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, He Who Has Attained Great Strength, stands in full form upon a lotus throne (莲花座) within a great halo of the Thirty-Six Marshals of the Thunder Division.
One hand forms a mudra at the heart, while the other holds a lotus whose stem rises beside his shoulder and opens into bloom. Long ribbons stream about him, giving the figure a sense of forward motion. The lotus is the light of wisdom carried in his own hand, and the strength he embodies is the strength to bring that light wherever it is needed.
The Blessing: His fortitude and the marshals’ thunderous authority combine as one, empowering the owner to overcome challenges, sustain momentum and accelerate the path to success. The lotus of wisdom in his hand keeps that strength well directed, so that effort moves the owner forward rather than merely onward.
6. Vairochana Buddha and Thirty-Six Marshals Zodiac Guardian Talisman Scroll (御鼎豐大日如来佛三十六帅本命佛符箓卷轴)
For those born in the Years of the Goat and Monkey
The Design: Beneath his seed syllable in Sanskrit script, Vairochana Buddha, Buddha of All-Encompassing Illumination, sits in full lotus posture upon a lotus throne (莲花座), radiating through a great halo of the Thirty-Six Marshals of the Thunder Division. A flaming jewel crowns his headdress.
His hands form the Wisdom-Fist Mudra (智拳印) at the heart, the gesture in which all wisdom is gathered into one. Vairochana is the Buddha at the centre of the esoteric tradition, and the composition places him there: still, crowned and illuminated, the source from which clarity spreads in every direction.
The Blessing: His light confers clarity and insight, illuminating the whole of a situation rather than its parts. The marshals’ combined command shields the owner, supporting sound decisions, financial mastery and growth that rests on firm foundations.
7. Acalanatha and Thirty-Six Marshals Zodiac Guardian Talisman Scroll (御鼎豐不动明王三十六帅本命佛符箓卷轴)
For those born in the Year of the Rooster
The Design: Acalanatha, the Immovable Wisdom King, stands in full form beneath his seed syllable in Sanskrit script, planted upon a rock that cannot be moved, his great halo formed by the Thirty-Six Marshals of the Thunder Division.
In his right hand he grips the Sword of Wisdom (智慧剑), which cuts through delusion and obstruction. In his left he holds the Vajra Rope (金刚索), which binds malefactors and draws the wavering back to the path. Garuda flames (迦楼罗焰) rise all around him, the fire of the great bird that devours poison and burns away harm. His fierce countenance is compassion turned to protection.
The Blessing: The sword and the rope remove obstacles and bind those who would do harm, while the Garuda flames burn away ill intent. Together with the marshals, Acalanatha is invoked for protection from malefactors and petty people (小人), unwavering focus, and the strength to excel in competitive fields.
8. Amitabha Buddha and Thirty-Six Marshals Zodiac Guardian Talisman Scroll (御鼎豐阿弥陀佛三十六帅本命佛符箓卷轴)
For those born in the Years of the Dog and Boar
The Design: Amitabha Buddha, Buddha of Infinite Light, appears in full form beneath his seed syllable in Sanskrit script, standing upon a lotus throne (莲花座) and enveloped in a great halo of the Thirty-Six Marshals of the Thunder Division. The auspicious 卍 symbol marks his chest.
His right hand is raised and his left lowered in the Welcoming Mudra (接引印), the gesture with which Amitabha receives and guides all who call upon him. His robes fall in long, unhurried folds, and the composition is the calmest of the eight: a presence of boundless compassion, open and ready to receive.
The Blessing: His boundless compassion draws benefactors (贵人) and goodwill, and his welcoming gesture opens the way for support to arrive. The marshals’ guardian authority protects the owner and the household, allowing prosperity to gather with ease and peace to settle at home.
A Place in Your Home
A Zodiac Guardian scroll is not ornament. Its place is the home altar, hung at eye level above or behind the altar table, where its presence can preside over the space alongside incense and offerings.
Because each scroll is tied to a zodiac sign, a household may keep the guardians of several family members together, each scroll watching over the person born under its sign. To find the guardian and placement best suited to your space and your Bazi, begin with a consultation with Grand Master David Goh.
Find Your Zodiac Guardian
Imperial Harvest’s consultants are always on hand to guide you on your journey and help you realise your fullest potential.
