Fu | |||||||
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![]() Tiger tally (Hufu) of Qin dynasty period | |||||||
Chinese | 符 | ||||||
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Fu (Chinese: 符; pinyin: ) was a tally, which was used as a proof of authorization in ancient China, which typically consists of two parts.[1] Generals would use the fu as an imperial authorization for troop movements and for other purposes while amongst the populace, it was used as a proof of authorization for goods exchanges or for leases.[1] The official fu was made of bamboo, wood, metal (gold, silver, bronze) or jade.[1][2]: 27–28 Although it could be made in various shapes (such as tiger, dragon, turtle, snake, fish or human), most of them come in the shape of a tiger.[1]