Learn about itLearn onlyLiving tradition
This page describes the practice. There is deliberately no automated reading for it — see the notes below.
Background
Shagai are astragalus bones of sheep or goats, collected and used for traditional games and fortune-telling throughout Central Asia. They are thought to be among the first forms of dice.
How it works
In fortune-telling four bones are rolled; each lands on one of four sides called horse, camel, sheep or goat. Horse and camel are lucky, sheep and goat unlucky, and all four sides in one throw is a very good sign.
Notes and limits
Safety: Do not harm or kill animals to obtain bones; existing sets or ordinary dice serve the same purpose.
At a glance
- Also called
- Shagai, Chükö, Asyk, Ashyk, Ankle bones
- Traditions
- Mongolian, Central Asian
- Regions
- East Asia
- You need
- A random draw
- Price
- Free