登陆注册
1122800000060

第60章 民间信仰Chinese Folk Belief(1)

中国民间信仰的神灵并无普遍认同的体系,神灵的地位和神灵之间的关系因地而异,有很大的随意性和灵活性,而且神灵有繁多的名目。本篇主要介绍民间信仰、庙宇的某些特点和中国历史上部分影响很大的神灵。

1.中国民间信仰有哪些主要特点?

What is the main feature of Chinese folk belief?

Chinese folk belief refers to faith in both the supernatural and Chinese mythology about various gods and deities. It is generally considered to encompass two related but separate subjects. The first subject is associated with three domains: heaven, the realm of ghosts and the land of living. The second refers to deities, ghosts or human beings that can interact and sometimes transform themselves from one into another. Some of the mythical figures of folk religion have even been integrated into Chinese Buddhism and Daoism.

In Chinese folk belief the soul of a person is believed to either ascend to Heaven or go down to the realm of the ghosts when he or she dies. So while they are still alive, people should establish a good relationship with deities or ghosts by means of providing them with sacrificial offerings and burning paper money.

Chinese folk belief has lasted for thousands of years, so it retains traces of some primal religious belief systems, which include the veneration of the Sun, the Moon, the Earth, the Heaven, and various stars, as well as communication with animals.

Chinese folk belief also contains the custom of worshiping ancestors. People hold sacrificial services in memory of their ancestors, and as part of the ritual they usually burn paper money. It is believed that this type of the paper would be a financial support to their ancestors in the after-world.

Notes:1)supernatural超自然的;2)mythology神话;3)en-compass包括;4)domain范围;5)interact互动;6)transform改变;7)mythical神话;9)ascend上升;10)retain保留;11)ve-neration崇拜;12)sacrificial献祭的;13)after-world后世

2.什么是民间庙宇?

What is a folk temple?

Folk temples (民间庙宇) flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. These temples co-exist with Buddhist or Daoist temples or monasteries that have existed in China since ancient times. Due to the tide of modernization that started after the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, the number of folk temples has gradually decreased.

Chinese folk temples are generally small, and have different names and are located either in cities or in villages. Traditionally each temple has an image of the main deity together with some other deities that share the temple. Many of these deities represent good fortune or are responsible for the prosperity of the land.

One type of folk temples is called Tudi Deity Shrine (土地庙). The Tudi deity serves as a lower-level administrative spirit whose main responsibility is to ensure peace and security in his jurisdictional area, which is usually no more than a village in size, a bridge, a street, a temple, a public building, a private home, or a part of a field. Most of these buildings are simple and crude, and are only a few feet high, either located under trees or by the roadside.

Chenghuang Temple (城隍庙, city-ruling-deity temple) is another type of folk temple. It is devoted to Cheng Huang (城隍), one of the supernatural beings whose responsibility is believed to be that of defending the city and ensuring public security. The layout of the deities in a Chenghuang Temple usually consists of Cheng Huang, the grand deity being seated in the center of the temple’s main hall. Some other deities flank Cheng Huang’s image including Judges in Hades, Ox-Head and Horse Demons, Black-and-White Spirits, Bell-and-Drum Spirits (钟鼓神), as well as the Ten Hell Kings (十殿阎罗) and the other images of the Nether World.

A communal temple (村庙) falls into the category of folk temples and enshrines the communal deities. Traditionally a communal temple is built with purple or violet walls, and blue and green tiles. The roof slopes down on two sides and the eaves overextend beyond the tall walls at the sides of a temple building. Due to various reasons, not many communal temples exist in North China. However, in the southern areas of Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan, many traditional communal temples still remain as part of the life of the community. Along the coastal land, communal temples are usually located within residential areas; in the inland areas many temples are set on the edge of a village.

Notes:1)flourish蓬勃发展;2)tide趋势;3)modernization现代化;4)jurisdictional管辖的;5)layout布局,安排;6)a judge in Hades判官;7)ox-head and horse demons牛头马面;9)black-and-white spirits黑白无常;10)Nether World幽冥世界;11)enshrine供奉;12)residential住宅的

3.玉皇大帝

Jade Emperor

In Chinese folk culture, the Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝), the emperor of the supernatural pantheon, lives in the Jade and Pure Palace (玉清宫). In the Daoist supernatural circle, according to one version of Daoist mythology, the Jade Emperor is the executive ruler who ranks just below the one of the Three Pure Majesties (三清尊神).

Although the Emperor hasn’t attained the state of the highest accomplishments in the Daoist supernatural circle, he has great authority, commanding all the deities in Heaven, the Earth, and the Land of the Living. In addition, he supervises auspiciousness and inauspiciousness: the prosperity and decline of all things in the universe.

It is said that on the 25th day of the twelfth month in the Chinese Lunar year, the Jade Emperor descends to the world for an inspection tour, giving rewards or penalties to deities and mortals in accordance with their annual deeds. On that day, people usually burn incense at home and provide food offerings to the Jade Emperor. Meanwhile, Zao Jun (灶君), the kitchen deity, makes his reports to the Emperor about each family’ good and evil deeds.

The Jade Emperor’s birthday is said to be the ninth day of the first lunar month. His birthday celebration is called the Jade Emperor Ritual (玉皇会). On this day, all the deities arrive at the ritual and join the grand celebration. In the folk and Daoist temples where the grand ritual is held, incense is burnt and food offerings are given.

Notes:1)pantheon众神;2)mythology神话;3)executive主管;4)majesty陛下,威严;5)attain实现;6)accomplishment成就;

7)supervise监督;9)inauspiciousness不吉祥;10)mortal凡人

4.西王母

Queen Mother of the West

同类推荐
  • 梦想与升华:十七岁 我走进非洲

    梦想与升华:十七岁 我走进非洲

    在这本被喻为“青春成长的心灵钙片”的散文随笔集中,作者不但以细腻的笔触记录了她出国留学,从心理变迁到生活变迁的真实故事,同时也将非洲的文化以及风土人情、校园文化等展现给读者。孟梦用真实的笔触撰写了游历非洲的惊险、兴奋和异同于东方的趣闻轶事;在现实生活中体认到非洲民众的达观、热情和近原始状态下的煎熬与苦难;在学习和交流中明晰了多元文化的相抵与相容……
  • 宝瓶菩提

    宝瓶菩提

    “菩提十书”之《宝瓶菩提》:佛教经典把人比喻成“宝瓶”,在宝瓶里有着最清明的空性,只可惜被妄想与执著的瓶塞,无法回复到清净的面貌。本书是菩提系列的第七部,希望能开启我们的宝瓶,不但使我们自净,更让我们体验法界的清净。林清玄用感性的风格,表达即使在炉火中燃烧,用高温锻炼、上釉上彩,一个人也要永留清白,在人间!
  • 马可·波罗游记

    马可·波罗游记

    欲知世界各地之真相,可取此书读之。马可·波罗,世界著名的旅行家、商人。1254年生于意大利威尼斯一个商旅世家。17岁时,马可·波罗跟随父亲尼古刺·波罗和叔叔玛窦·波罗,途经中东,历时蹬年多来到中国,在中国游历了17年。回国后著成《马可·波罗游记》一书,记述他在东方最富有的国家——中国。
  • 长江三峡

    长江三峡

    本书分为瞿塘峡,巫峡,西陵峡,长江临近景观等四部分,全方位地描述了长江风貌,赞美了长江的壮丽景色。
热门推荐
  • 师妹难养

    师妹难养

    她十六,他二十二。他嫌弃地看了她一眼:“就你这干扁豆样的身材,有什么便宜可让我占的?”她怒。她十七,他二十三。他点了她的穴,揽着她的腰,笑眯眯地看着情敌:“我和她就是睡一起的关系!”她大怒。她十八,他二十四。她终于想嫁人了,却发现身边除了某只让她恨得牙痒痒的妖孽连只公的都找不到。她怒极,指着他鼻子:“死妖孽!你掐死我这么多桃花害我嫁不出去,你就得为我负责!我要让你付出一辈子的代价!”他悠悠一笑,十分干脆:“好!”
  • 我们三个都是穿越来的

    我们三个都是穿越来的

    我是因为看了很多的穿越小说,也很想穿越。谁想我想想就能穿越,穿越就穿越吧,居然穿成怀孕九月的待产产妇,开玩笑嘛!人家在二十一世纪还是黄花一枚呢。这也可以接受,可是明明是丞相之女,堂堂四皇子的正牌王妃怎么会居住在这么一个几十平米得破落小院子里,她怎么混的,亏她还一身绝世武功,再是医毒双绝。哎。没关系,既然让我继承了这么多优越条件,一个王爷算得了什么?生下一对龙凤胎,居然都是穿过来的,神啊,你对我太好了吧?且看我们母子三人在古代风生水起笑料百出的古代生活吧。片段一在我走出大门时,突然转身对着轩辕心安说道:“王爷,若是哪天不幸你爱上了我,我定会让你生不如死的。”然后魅惑地一笑,潇洒地走了出去。片段二当我对着铜镜里的美人自恋地哼出不着调地歌时。“别哼了,难听死了。”一个清脆的声音响起。~~~接着一声尖叫紧跟着另一声尖叫。我用上轻功躲进了被子里.~~~"我和你一样是二十一世纪来的。”“你好,娘亲,哥哥,以后要多多指教。”来自两个婴儿的嘴里,我摸摸额头,没高烧啊。片段三“小鱼儿,我可是你孩子的爹,况且我没有写休书,你还是我的王妃。我会对你好的。”安王爷霸道地说道。“你们认识他吗?他说是你们的爹?”我问着脚边的两个孩子。“不认识,”女孩说道。“我们的爹不是埋在土里了吗?怎么他一点也不脏?”男孩问道。那个男人满头黑线。“对不起,我们不认识你。”说完拉着孩子转身就走。片段四“爹爹,这是我娘,你看漂亮吧?”南宫心乐拉着一个白衣帅哥进来问道。我无语中。“爹爹,你看我娘亲厉害吧?“南宫心馨拉着另外一个妖精似地男人走了进来。我想晕。“这才是我们的爹。”“才不是呢,这个才是”两人开始吵起来了。“我才是你们的爹。”安王爷气急地吼道。“滚一边去。”两个小孩同时说道。屋里顿时混乱之中。转头,回屋睡觉去了。推荐完结文《别哭黛玉》完结文《穿越之无泪潇湘》新文,《极品花痴》
  • 我们三个都是穿越来的

    我们三个都是穿越来的

    我是因为看了很多的穿越小说,也很想穿越。谁想我想想就能穿越,穿越就穿越吧,居然穿成怀孕九月的待产产妇,开玩笑嘛!人家在二十一世纪还是黄花一枚呢。这也可以接受,可是明明是丞相之女,堂堂四皇子的正牌王妃怎么会居住在这么一个几十平米得破落小院子里,她怎么混的,亏她还一身绝世武功,再是医毒双绝。哎。没关系,既然让我继承了这么多优越条件,一个王爷算得了什么?生下一对龙凤胎,居然都是穿过来的,神啊,你对我太好了吧?且看我们母子三人在古代风生水起笑料百出的古代生活吧。片段一在我走出大门时,突然转身对着轩辕心安说道:“王爷,若是哪天不幸你爱上了我,我定会让你生不如死的。”然后魅惑地一笑,潇洒地走了出去。片段二当我对着铜镜里的美人自恋地哼出不着调地歌时。“别哼了,难听死了。”一个清脆的声音响起。~~~接着一声尖叫紧跟着另一声尖叫。我用上轻功躲进了被子里.~~~"我和你一样是二十一世纪来的。”“你好,娘亲,哥哥,以后要多多指教。”来自两个婴儿的嘴里,我摸摸额头,没高烧啊。片段三“小鱼儿,我可是你孩子的爹,况且我没有写休书,你还是我的王妃。我会对你好的。”安王爷霸道地说道。“你们认识他吗?他说是你们的爹?”我问着脚边的两个孩子。“不认识,”女孩说道。“我们的爹不是埋在土里了吗?怎么他一点也不脏?”男孩问道。那个男人满头黑线。“对不起,我们不认识你。”说完拉着孩子转身就走。片段四“爹爹,这是我娘,你看漂亮吧?”南宫心乐拉着一个白衣帅哥进来问道。我无语中。“爹爹,你看我娘亲厉害吧?“南宫心馨拉着另外一个妖精似地男人走了进来。我想晕。“这才是我们的爹。”“才不是呢,这个才是”两人开始吵起来了。“我才是你们的爹。”安王爷气急地吼道。“滚一边去。”两个小孩同时说道。屋里顿时混乱之中。转头,回屋睡觉去了。推荐完结文《别哭黛玉》完结文《穿越之无泪潇湘》新文,《极品花痴》
  • 资治通鉴·菁华(中小学生必读丛书)

    资治通鉴·菁华(中小学生必读丛书)

    一部让毛泽东读了17遍的枕边书!解读历史得与失的史学巨著,纵论上下千年的治乱与兴衰!体悟封建王朝的更迭与轮替,品味风云人物的交错与变幻!
  • 素菜菜谱

    素菜菜谱

    随着现代生活水平的提高,我们要是一边品尝着美味佳肴,一边又享受着养生保健和预防治疗的待遇,那简直是人生的超值恩赐了。本书主要从以下几类中讲述素材菜谱:菜叶类、瓜果类、根茎类、花子类、菌菇类、豆腐类。
  • 幸福就在人生的后花园

    幸福就在人生的后花园

    忙碌的都市人,抱怨生活,抱怨工作。怀念过去的美好,希冀未来的自在,唯独忘了活在当下。每个人都在追求幸福,渴望快乐,但却陷入烦恼的泥沼、欲望的深渊,舍不得、放不开。其实快乐就在你的内心,就在当下。本书从舍得、宽心两方面,交给你修炼快乐心灵的秘诀,指引你活在幸福的当下。
  • 韩娱之影帝

    韩娱之影帝

    一个宅男重生了,抑或是穿越了,在这个让他迷茫的世界里,刚刚一岁多的他就遇到了西卡,六岁就遇到了水晶小公主。从《爱回家》这部文艺片开始,金钟铭在韩国娱乐圈中慢慢成长,最终成为了韩国娱乐圈中独一无二的影帝。而在这个过程中,这个迷茫的男人不仅实现了自己的价值与理想,还认清了自己的内心,与真爱的人走在了一起。韩娱文,单女主,女主初珑无误,大家就不要再争了,电影跟综艺也不会少的,两个妹妹的戏份也不会少。ps:前期会有感情波折的,但是初珑肯定最后无误的。ps:网络小说,如有人物作品信息有误,请轻拍。ps:本书不...
  • 九型人格心灵密码(写给上班族的血型星座)

    九型人格心灵密码(写给上班族的血型星座)

    这是一部透析血型神秘莫测之威力的秘籍,这是一部剖析众星座人性特点的兵法,这是一部巧妙地将趣味十二星座与当代上班族群结合起来,立体式探索职场奥秘的无上宝典!破译性格的真相,把握命运的先机,发现自己的工作心情与工作取向,赢在职场。
  • 搬山秘术

    搬山秘术

    童年事情,我就常常见到奇怪的叔叔阿姨在我身边飘来飘去。很多次我好奇的问父母他们到底是谁,得到的却是恐惧的眼神和责骂。从此我知道了,我见到的那些人形怪物叫做鬼!我恐惧过,逃避过,甚至试图自杀逃避。如果不是好心的方丈封住了我的双眼,我可能早就死了。当我渐渐长大后,我不再逃避,开始用自己的双眼帮助那些被鬼困扰的可怜人,用双眼看穿阴阳!
  • 让学生团结友爱的故事

    让学生团结友爱的故事

    因此人与人之间要团结友爱、共存共荣,才能达到共赢的局面。整个社会才能和谐发展。,科学高度发展的今天,个人的能力获得了极大的提高,但生产的社会性和科学研究的社会性也随之加强,任何活动,都不是单个人的力量所能胜任的