Shamanism (between humans and ghosts/gods)

Author: Song Zhaolin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-12-01
Features: Shamanism—Between Humans and Gods is written by Song Zhaolin. This book is part of the Three-legged Crow Series, which includes: The Temptation of the Pearl of the White Dragon—Exploring the Thematic Motifs of Folk Narrative Treasures, Chinese Bird Beliefs—Reflections on the Avianized Cosmology, Mazu's Grace—From a Commoner to a Sea Goddess, The Eight Immortals—Legends and Beliefs, Ula's Notes—Fieldwork on Northeast Folk Customs, Lingyun Pass Snow—A Collection of Essays on Ethnic Mythology, Symbolism—An Examination of a Folk Cultural Model, Shamanism—Between Humans and Gods, Guanyin—Sacred and Secular, Visitors from the Metaphorical World—Chinese Folk Beliefs in Wealth Gods. The Three-legged Crow is a sun bird in Chinese mythology. It embodies light and symbolizes life. Wang Chong's On the Equilibrium of Heaven and Earth—Discourse on the Sun states: "There are three-legged crows in the sun." The Huainanzi says: "During Yao's reign, ten suns appeared simultaneously, scorching the plants and grass. Yao ordered Yi to shoot down the suns, hitting nine of them. The nine suns in the sky died, leaving behind one with three legs, known as the 'Sun Spirit' or the driver of the sun chariot, revered by the ancient Chinese people." The Three-legged Crow is a sun bird in Chinese mythology. It embodies light and symbolizes life. Wang Chong's On the Equilibrium of Heaven and Earth—Discourse on the Sun states: "There are three-legged crows in the sun." The Huainanzi says: "During Yao's reign, ten suns appeared simultaneously, scorching the plants and grass. Yao ordered Yi to shoot down the suns, hitting nine of them. The nine suns in the sky died, leaving behind one with three legs, known as the 'Sun Spirit' or the driver of the sun chariot, revered by the ancient Chinese people." Folk culture has a long and profound history, passed down from generation to generation, like the ever-renewing "Sun Spirit" and the forward-moving "Sun Chariot." Folk culture, together with elite culture, forms the vastness and depth of Chinese culture. The name of this series is Three-legged Crow Series, inspired by this idea. May the three-legged crow drive the sun chariot forever toward the light.