Folk magic

Author: Song Zhaolin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Witchcraft is a general term for beliefs and practices. Because it is unverifiable and not associated with deities, it is distinguished from religion. The main form of witchcraft is sympathetic magic, which believes that mysterious sympathetic effects can cause unrelated things to interact, or through imitation, or through contact. The practice of witches seeking rain was popular in medieval countries. In China during the Han Dynasty, witches were also used to seek rain. Why must witches and prostitutes be used to seek rain? Professor Ji Xianlin believes it is related to the earliest labor division and the beliefs or superstitions of primitive humans. Where there is randomness, where there is little hope and more fear, we see witchcraft. Where there is reliability, where rational methods and techniques can work, we do not see witchcraft. Those who have no effective means to deal with natural and human disasters, those who believe that many ghosts and gods control their fate, can only rely on offerings, divination, witchcraft, witch doctors, and so on to get rid of various disasters and anomalies.