A fuzi, also known as a fuchen, is a type of fly-whisk, consisting of a short staff with hair (from an animal such as a cow, horse, or yak) that is used as an instrument by Chan Buddhist monks and Taoist daoshi.
Originally used as a tool to shoo away flies from livestock without injuring them, it eventually came to be adopted by Buddhism and Taoism as it was perceived as having the power to sweep away desires and evil influences both in the environment of the holder and within their own thoughts, bringing them closer to enlightenment (in Buddhism) or transcending the mortal realm (in Taoism).
