Can Wu and Xi in Guoyu Be Categorised as Shamans?
The issue of whether Wu 巫 and Xi 覡 mentioned in Guoyu, ‘Chuyu Xia’ 國語, 楚語下, can be categorised as shamans has been the subject of controversy for a long time. As there is no generally accepted definition of ‘shaman’, we cannot give a definite and universally acceptable answer. Based on a microanalys...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
MDPI
2022
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| In: |
Religions
Year: 2022, Volume: 13, Issue: 8 |
| Further subjects: | B
Guoyu
B Shamanism B Possession B Wu and Xi B Chuyu Xia |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | The issue of whether Wu 巫 and Xi 覡 mentioned in Guoyu, ‘Chuyu Xia’ 國語, 楚語下, can be categorised as shamans has been the subject of controversy for a long time. As there is no generally accepted definition of ‘shaman’, we cannot give a definite and universally acceptable answer. Based on a microanalysis of the semantic textual meaning of ‘Chuyu Xia’, this study argues that the meaning of ‘Shang Xia Bi Yi’ 上下比義 in this chapter is to implement the sacred principles of Heaven on Earth and that Wu and Xi were chosen by the spirits just because they were able to do this. The meaning of ‘Ming Shen Jiang Zhi, Zai Nan Yue Xi, Zai Nü Yue Wu’ 明神降之, 在男曰覡, 在女曰巫 is either ‘Wu and Xi were possessed by the spirits from Heaven’ or ‘there was a certain form of direct communication between the spirits and Wu and Xi’. This study, thus, aims to provide a basis for accurately judging whether Wu and Xi can be categorised as shamans. |
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| ISSN: | 2077-1444 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Religions
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.3390/rel13080741 |