ID | 162844 |
Title Proper | Divination, Yijing, and Cultural Nationalism |
Other Title Information | the self-legitimation of divination as an aspect of “traditional culture” in post-mao China |
Language | ENG |
Author | Li, Geng |
Summary / Abstract (Note) | By aligning themselves with the Book of Changes (易經 Yijing) and National Learning (國學 Guoxue), diviners in contemporary China regard themselves as protectors of “traditional culture” and promoters of “China’s national wisdom.” e alignment with the national tradition not only enhances divination’s social status, but also generates more prot for diviners and constructs a limited anity with ocial ideology. Diviners can shi their public image from being typical representatives of backward feudal superstition to being in the vanguard of a traditional culture that is essential to China’s national identity. All of this is occurring against the background of China’s national project of global reordering and promoting cultural nationalism. The reactivation of elements of the cultural patrimony is regarded as useful to legitimize state power and to fortify national cohesion. While popular religious practices oen maintain an alternative view to that of the state, they also develop connections with hegemonic discourses, dynamically and strategically. |
`In' analytical Note | China Review Vol. 18, No.4; Nov 2018: p. 63–84 |
Journal Source | China Review 2018-12 18, 4 |
Key Words | Cultural Nationalism ; Traditional Culture ; Divination ; Yijing ; Post-Mao China |