Even every object is animated, as well as the Universe of which it is a part."(26) (26) J.J.

M.de Groot: Religious System of China, Vol.

VI, Leyden, 1910, p.

929.
In the animistic religion of China, the Wu represented a group of persons of both sexes, who wielded, with respect to the world of spirits, capacities and powers not possessed by the rest of men.

Many practitioners of Wu were physicians who, in addition to charms and enchantments, used death-banishing medicinal herbs.