Chinese Folk Culture—Taboos

Author: None
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Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Taboos are a social phenomenon that emerged in the early stages of primitive society and have accompanied human development to this day. They permeate the entire history of human society. In Chinese folklore, taboos are a powerful constraint for maintaining social stability and are intertwined with people's various activities. "I was born in the wilderness and do not understand taboos," as recorded in the Book of the Later Han·Lang Kai, shows that the practice of taboos was already prevalent during the Han Dynasty and was documented in classical texts. "Desire arises from excess, and evil arises from lack of prohibition," "Do not enter unoccupied rooms or pass through unoccupied gates," refers to taboos when visiting relatives and friends; "Don't make a fuss while eating, don't run while eating," speaks of taboos related to dining; "Men should not expose their navels, and women should not expose their skin," discusses taboos about clothing; "Rain hitting a coffin lid means no bedding for descendants," is a taboo related to funerals; "A daughter watching her natal family's lanterns means the family will be so poor it can be hammered with nails," and countless proverbs and sayings about things to avoid. Many taboos may seem absurd at first glance but make sense upon closer reflection. They serve as a unique form of folk self-ethical and moral education.