Ranking of Chinese Gods -- A Varied Interpretation of Folk Beliefs

Author: Huang Xiaofeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: This is an academic (light essay) discussing ancient Chinese folk beliefs. The author weaves many stories together and distills their meanings. The stories are beautiful, the meanings are profound, and the author's tone is both casual and serious. Experts will not overlook the lively details in the book, while outsiders can certainly grasp the underlying principles. Magic, religion, ghosts, and immortals—these cultural threads hidden beneath the iceberg of belief are presented in a vivid and engaging manner, blending excitement with insight. The book introduces ancient Chinese folk beliefs and their impact on ancient Chinese society in a lively and humorous style. It is divided into four sections: "The Age of Decadence, the Decline of Witchcraft" (Magic Section), "Your Majesty, What's Your Father's Last Name?" (Religion and Society Section), "Farewell, My Ghost Friend" (Ghosts Section), and "A Date with My Immortal Sister" (Immortals Section). The author believes that the daily folk beliefs hidden beneath mainstream religion had a significant influence on the direction of ancient Chinese cultural development. The book includes over 100 illustrations that vividly demonstrate the author's main arguments.