Fengshui purple gravel
According to a legend, Shi Gandang is said to be a fairy who lives on Mount Tai. He is very strong and brave. He shoulders the heavy responsibility of exorcism for the residents below. Later, because of his growing fame, monsters shuddered at his name, and at the same time more people came to beg him. There are too many demons to catch.
So, the Great God of Shi Gandang found the broken stone head of Mount Tai and carved the words "Mount Tai Shi Gandang". When people came to beg him to catch the demon again, he gave the carved stone to others and said that as long as it was placed on the house, the monster would not dare to hurt people again.
Although it is only a legend, it is generally believed that it is not troublesome to believe it. Just do it, maybe it will really work. Until today, many people have long acquiesced that the words "Mount Tai Shi Gandang" are engraved on their houses, mainly to ward off evil spirits, not for decoration.
To understand this idea, for example, putting a scarecrow in the field can frighten sparrows from stealing rice in the field. By the same token, the ancients thought that by creating an illusion of Shi Gandang in the eye-catching place of their own houses, they could resist monsters and thus play the role of exorcism.
Besides being used to ward off evil spirits, in some areas, it is also used to improve the geomantic omen of houses and fill the gaps in houses. In the eyes of the older generation, if there is a corner missing from their home, it will bring bad luck to their families. So put the carved Taishan stone against the corner of the house and let "time (stone) run."
Of course, before the modern society, the strong superstitious atmosphere had dissipated, and people regarded it as a beautiful wish to express their yearning for a happy life.