Rituals & reflection · 2 min read
The art of asking.
Two crescent-shaped blocks. A question spoken with care. A moment to listen.
Meet the moon blocks
Jiaobei are paired divination blocks, each with a flat face and a rounded face. They are used in some Chinese temple traditions, including at Taipei’s Longshan Temple, to seek a response from a deity. Their crescent-like shape gives them their familiar English name: moon blocks.
Reading the fall
A common reading treats one flat face and one rounded face upward as an affirmative response, two rounded faces upward as a negative response, and two flat faces upward as a laughing response. The last may invite someone to clarify their question. Names, explanations, and the sequence of casts vary by community.
A digital moment of reflection
Our preview randomly assigns a face to each block and explains the resulting pair. It is a simplified simulation, with two equally likely faces per block, accompanied by a reflection prompt. It offers a way to learn about the form of the ritual; outcomes do not predict events or provide personal guidance.
Experience the moon blocks