Ailan, “The Mystery of the Turtle—Shang Dynasty Mythology, Sacrifice, Art and Cosmology Research”

Ai Lan’s “The Mystery of the Turtle-Study on Mythology, Sacrifice, Art and Cosmology of the Shang Dynasty” PDF e-book download. (Some content on the first 21 pages is missing, please place an order carefully) Introduction Every ancient nation in the world has its own myths and legends. People in ancient times lived in their generation, and their ideas and views on the world around them were completely different from our modern people. Myths and legends gather

Ailan’s “The Mystery of the Turtle-Study on Mythology, Sacrifice, Art and Cosmology in the Shang Dynasty” PDF e-book download. (Some content on the first 21 pages is missing, please place an order carefully)

Introduction

Every ancient nation in the world has its own myths and legends. People in ancient times lived in their generation, and their ideas and views on the world around them were completely different from our modern people. Myths and legends condense the concepts and longings of ancient people. From the perspective of modern people, although they feel a little beautiful and fantastic, a little weird and gratifying, they are often difficult to understand. This is due to the vicissitudes of life and the passage of time. In fact, myths and legends have their own meanings. To understand ancient people and their thinking, we cannot do without research in this area. Many people have mentioned that China’s ancient myths and legends are fewer and more fragmented than those of other ancient countries in the world. However, examining the fragments and claws handed down in the literature shows that its connotation is quite profound. It can be deduced from this that in ancient times, myths and legends were originally rich in systems, but most of them have been obliterated and forgotten. One of the reasons for this phenomenon may be Confucian rationalism. As we all know, Confucius didn’t talk about strange powers and chaotic gods, but advocated respecting ghosts and gods and keeping them at a distance. He used rationalism to explain ancient myths and legends. The interpretation of myths such as Kui Yizu and Yu killing Fangfeng is a typical example. Its spirit is to erase the mythical color of the story and transform it into the deeds of past saints and sages.

The main content of this book includes: introduction, reconstruction of mythology and totem system in Shang Dynasty, from mythology to history, merchant’s view of the universe, sacrifice and divination in Shang Dynasty, art of Shang Dynasty and its meaning, conclusion.

Brief introduction of the author

Sarah Allam

A famous sinologist. Born in the United States in 1945, he received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1974. Since 1972, he has taught at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, UK, and is currently a chair professor of “Chinese Studies” at Dartmouth College, USA. He is mainly engaged in the research of oracle bone inscriptions, bronze wares, and bamboo slips, and teaches ancient Chinese philosophical literature. He has read a lot about pre-Qin literature, archaeology, thought and culture.

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