The Artistic Design of Chinese Film and Television Animation Characters — the Aesthetics of Semiotic and Realistic Re-Creation Jingjun Xu1,*

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Artistic Design of Chinese Film and Television Animation Characters — the Aesthetics of Semiotic and Realistic Re-Creation Jingjun Xu1,* Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 572 Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Arts, Design and Contemporary Education (ICADCE 2021) The Artistic Design of Chinese Film and Television Animation Characters — The Aesthetics of Semiotic and Realistic Re-creation Jingjun Xu1,* 1 Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, Chongqing 401331, China *Corresponding author. Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT In recent years, Chinese film and animation has grown to a large number, and all major children's channels broadcast a variety of low-age cartoons every day. The emergence of a variety of high-quality Chinese film animation in recent years has also shown people that Chinese film and animation is slowly reviving. From these films, it can be seen that the artistic design of Chinese film and animation characters has its own characteristics, and on the basis of people's original impressions, the reconstruction of the inner quality is carried out in an innovative way, which not only enriches the connotation of the characters, but also realizes a new interpretation of the aesthetics of reconstruction from the perspective of semiotics and realism. This is the core of the revival of Chinese film and animation. This thesis will start from the artistic design of the characters of Chinese film and television animation, and discuss the aesthetics of semiotic and realistic reconstruction in detail through the explanation of several Chinese film and television animations. Keywords: Chinese film and television animation, Artistic design of characters, Semiotics, Realism, Reconstructive aesthetics. 1. INTRODUCTION television animation works. Through its unique artistic language and under the control of the Film and television animation is a communicator, the image fully carries and conveys comprehensive art, collecting the characteristics of a variety of established content, playing the role of film and television audiovisual as well as covering a carrier to promote cultural communication and the artistic characteristics of many art disciplines transmutation, and becoming a unique symbol of such as comics and literature. The expressiveness cultural layer rich in realism. On the other hand, in of these different artistic features is reflected in the terms of its commercial symbolic function, the character image of animation, which constitutes an successful transformation of film and television aesthetic and cultural value different from the animation image as a commercial symbol is based traditional single art form. In this regard, the on its cultural symbolic function, but its cultural character image of film and television animation mission must be realized and maintained through belongs to the most important part of the content of commercial means. Therefore, it needs to be film and television animation, and is also the most interpreted with a new aesthetics in the middle of indispensable symbol in film and television semiotics and realism, so that it not only serves as animation. Therefore, the image of film and the most core relationship of film and television television animation works as the most powerful animation communication, but also reflects that to medium of cultural communication in film and reflect the central idea which film and television animations really want to spread is also a unique *Project: Research on technological innovation and medium. application of panda Digital Cultural industries (Project No. kjcx 2020042), a scientific and technological innovation project of "construction of Chengdu and Chongqing double City Economic Circle" of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press SARL. This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license -http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/. 575 Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 572 2. SEMIOTICS AND CHARACTER has been endowed within the process of continuous DESIGN FOR FILM AND dissemination. Additionally, it has been given a ANIMATION deep connotation and cultural qualities. However, the animated movie "The Return of the Great Sage" In a film and animation work, the design of has a new perspective on its interpretation of character image is the core, and it carries the soul of justice, so that people feel refreshing when they see the work. Animation character image is a symbolic it, and at the same time, there is more online and language, and it has an important symbolic offline constant exclamation: the return of the Great meaning. For example, when it comes to Black Cat Sage ... This is where the value of semiotics lies. Sheriff, people think of justice, bravery and wit; Thus, in this respect, the value of semiotics is when it comes to Porky Pig, it is lazy and timid; that it places the simple animated characters in a when it comes to Pleasant Goat, it is smart, friendly broader cultural context, thus making the social and kind. There is a symbolic relationship between value of animation creation get a boost. The the image of animation characters and the cultural semiotic study of film is not a distillation of the characteristics of the works. The character image of abstract film grammar, but an open symbolic animation exists in the form of symbols, or it is a system for reality and audience. Under the cross- collection of cultural traits symbolized. cultural perspective, each film can be seen as a Today, China is in a phase of deep cultural text, and each image symbol is a carrier of transformation in the field of animation, and a clear a certain culture, and the director will inevitably goal has been seen to achieve a real renaissance, so inject a certain cultural element into each image the creation of the Chinese film and animation symbol in the process of using the image symbol to image is no longer a mere cartoon image, but the express. cultural connotation which will be the soul of the character. The meaning of the animated image 3. REALISM AND CHARACTER depends precisely on the symbolic meaning, in DESIGN FOR FILM AND other words, the cultural value of the character. ANIMATION In his treatise on semiotic aesthetics, Roland In the process of production and dissemination Barthes suggests that "in the contemporary form of of film and television animation, there is another aesthetics and literature, it is difficult to grasp the inescapable point — realism, and the most realistic different aspects of art without the semiotics of art in film and television animation is the role in language and its communication, without the study animation. Therefore, film and television animation of the special role of symbols in art and the character design, no matter in adult animation, or in interrelationship between symbols and meaning in children's animation, contains the quality of realism creation, and without the revelation of the dual to some extent, which is inevitable. structure of symbols in various cultural systems. It is difficult to grasp the laws of art creation and For example, in reality, young parents are appreciation, of linguistic and non-linguistic constantly busy with working and making money phenomena from different aspects without the study from day to night. When they go back home, they of the special role of symbols in art or the have been exhausted, so reasonably in the interrelation of symbols and meanings in creation, education of their growing-up children, they may and without the revelation of the dual structure of slacken. If it continues for a long time, it will make symbols in various cultural systems. Each artistic the next generation grow up crooked, thus making expression constitutes a symbolic system of society more complicated. At this time, many films specific meanings. In this sense, the study of and animations are based on this realism to produce symbolic analysis is indispensable for aesthetics the role. Through the character in the animation and art theory." story behavior, these films and animations want to teach the growing children tell the right from the For example, the "The Monkey King", as early wrong. A good example is the film and animation as the 1960s, was interpreted in a new and "Confucius". righteous way in the form of " The Monkey King ", and after that, through the continuous performance At the beginning of the film, one does not see of TV and movies, it has long formed a fixed role the image of the old man with white hair and a image in people's mind, which is, a role symbol, stooped figure seen in the scroll. Instead, it is an and in the process of continuous dissemination, it image of a young Confucius with his hair in a bun 576 Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 572 and dressed in brown rough linen. Through the screening. It is inevitable that it naturally carries the surrounding environment and Confucius' dress, the characteristics of realism. realistic situation of Confucius' poor family when he was young is restored, showing the image of a 4. RE-CREATIVE AESTHETICS AND good young man who is still diligent and studious CHARACTER DESIGN FOR FILM in a difficult environment and is not ashamed to ask AND ANIMATION questions, which helps to educate today's children and youth. Then comes the image of a young People who like film and television animation Confucius with firm eyes, dressed in a green shirt, have seen countless animation films. Especially in studying and discussing with others, mainly recent years, they will find a phenomenon that highlighting his character and excellent qualities. whether it is newly created film and television The last appearance is the image of Confucius in animation, or in Chinese mythology or historical his middle and old age. At this time, Confucius stories based on the new interpretation of film and already appears to be calm and dignified, with his television animation, its role design has a unique eyes revealing a grave and solemn look, and his aesthetics.
Recommended publications
  • NE ZHA: a Remodeling Strategy of the Oriental Mythological Prototype
    2019 International Conference on Art Design, Music and Culture (ADMC 2019) NE ZHA: A Remodeling Strategy of the Oriental Mythological Prototype Zheng Jinyan School of digital creation and animation, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China Keywords: Oriental mythology, Prototype shaping, Animation works, Reshaping strategy. Abstract: Oriental traditional myths usually contain the archetypes that people yearn for. These archetypes represent part of the emotional expression that people pursue in their hearts. Many wonderful films began to attract more audiences with the increasing of domestic mythological films. But in this process, the prototype of myth is not perfect. Therefore, this paper takes the typical oriental mythological prototype film “Ne Zha: I am the destiny “ as an example and analyses the connotation of the prototype on the basis of analyzing the plot of the film. Finally it puts forward specific strategies for remodeling the Oriental mythological prototype with a view to providing supplementary material for the current analysis of the mythological film. 1. Research Background 1.1 Literature review In the Chinese cultural circle, characters are the earliest used cultural symbols, but because of various factors, mythology has not occupied an important position in historical documents. Many ancient myths with humanistic attributes are lost, concealed or recorded (Gan Z. L, 2012). Nevertheless, according to the literature of later generations, there are still plenty of information about the sun, moon, stars and figures. The emergence of mythology is related to human desire to conquer natural forces, but it is an unconscious product of human beings. Its metaphorical and symbolic nature is more closely related to words (Chen Z.
    [Show full text]
  • The Dictionary of Chinese Deities
    THE DICTIONARY OF CHINESE DEITIES HAROLD LIU For everyone who love Chinese myth A Amitabha Amitabha is is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahayana school of Buddhism. Amitabha is the principal buddha in the Pure Land sect, a branch of Buddhism practiced mainly in East Asia. An Qisheng An immortal who had live 1.000 year at he time of Qin ShiHuang. According to the Liexian Zhuan, Qin Shi Huang spoke with him for three entire days (including nights), and offered Anqi jade and gold. He later sent an expedition under Xu Fu to find him and his highly sought elixir of life. Ao Guang The dragon king of East sea. He is the leader of four dragon king. His son Ao Bing killed by Nezha, when his other two son was also incapitated by Eight Immortals. Ao Run The dragon king of West Sea. His crown prine named Mo Ang and help Sun Wukong several times in journey to the West story.His 3th son follow monk XuanZhang as hisdragon horse during Xuan Zhang's journey to the West. Ao Qin The dragon king of South sea AoShun The dragon King of North sea. Azzure dragon (Qing Long) One of four mythical animal in China, he reincanated many times as warrior such as Shan Xiongxin and Yom Kaesomun, amighty general from Korea who foiled Chinese invasion. It eleemnt is wood B Bai He Tongzhu (white crane boy) Young deity disciple of Nanji Xianweng (god of longevity), he act as messenger in heaven Bai Mudan (White peony) Godess of temptress Famous prostitute who sucesfully tempt immortal Lu Dongbin to sleep with her and absorb his yang essence.
    [Show full text]
  • CCTV Animaton (Pdf Download)
    精品动画片推荐 Chinese Culture ——美猴王—— Monkey King is derived from the Chinese classical novel – The Journey to the West, and the Monkey King major figures including Monkey King, Six Ear Monkey, Jade Rabbit, Ginseng Fruit, Old Monkey 22min X 52episodes King and Old White Deer (Nine Soul Saint). Long ago, there was a monkey-shaped stone with superior spirituality. After adopting the essence of the nature, a monkey bursts out of the stone and starts his legendary life. He once joins local monkey family, and later learns Kongfu and magic power in Daoist Mountain. The Old White Deer (Nine Soul Saint), who dreams of ruling the universe, releases his powerful but evil soul by capitalizing on the desire of Six Ear Monkey, who used to be Monkey King’s friend, to be the king of monkeys. However, the Old White Deer is finally defeated by Monkey King and his faithful companions. The Monkey King finally saves his friend Six Ear Monkey and becomes the king of the Huaguo Mountain. ——哪吒传奇—— Story: The Legend of Nezha It is an old folktale in China. Nezha was born out of a fleshy ball with Herculean power, who was 22minutes×52 episodes selected by goddess Nuwa to embody justice, fighting with the evil power in the earth. Goddess Shiji, representing the evil power, was trying to acquire the energy from Nezha. When got failed every time, she intended to kill Nezha. With the help of Nuwa and friends, Nezha fought fiercely with Shiji. Experiencing numerous difficulties and hardships, he had grown from a naïve naughty boy to a little hero.
    [Show full text]
  • The Investiture of the Gods, Feng Shen Yanyi
    Investiture of the Gods or Feng Shen Yanyi by Xu Zhonglin The Investiture of the Gods also called The Creation of the Gods, or simply by its native name Feng Shen Yanyi, meaning “Inauguration of Doctrines Dramatized by the Gods,” is an ancient masterpiece. Published around the 16th-century, it has been claimed a “novel” merging mythology, folklore and history. As to its key thematics, Investiture of the Gods features a work that mostly personifies myths that narrate the Cosmogony of the World according to the space-time established by the Chinese mythology. Editor 2 Contents 1 Illustration The Investiture Great Wall-Corridor Chapter 1 King Zhou and Goddess Nu Wa Chapter 2 The Rebellion of Su Hu Chapter 3 Daji enters the Palace Chapter 4 The Fox Sprite murders Daji Chapter 5 Cloud Dweller presents a Pine Wood Sword Chapter 6 The Burning Pillar Torture Chapter 7 Fei Zhong plots to depose the Queen Chapter 8 Princes take Flight Chapter 9 The Prime Minister's Resolve Chapter 10 The Discovery of Thunder-quaker Chapter 11 The III Fortunes of the Grand Dukes Chapter 12 The Birth of Nezha Chapter 13 Combat between two Fairies Chapter 14 Reincarnation with Lotus Flowers Chapter 15 Jiang Ziya leaves Mount Kunlun Chapter 16 Burning the Jade Lute Specter Chapter 17 The Serpent Pit Chapter 18 Flight from Morning Song Chapter 19 Gifts to the King Chapter 20 San Yisheng bribes the corrupt Courtiers Chapter 21 Flight through the Five Passes 1. The text, though partly abridged, amounts the supposedly original one hundred chapters.
    [Show full text]
  • Origin Narratives: Reading and Reverence in Late-Ming China
    Origin Narratives: Reading and Reverence in Late-Ming China Noga Ganany Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2018 © 2018 Noga Ganany All rights reserved ABSTRACT Origin Narratives: Reading and Reverence in Late Ming China Noga Ganany In this dissertation, I examine a genre of commercially-published, illustrated hagiographical books. Recounting the life stories of some of China’s most beloved cultural icons, from Confucius to Guanyin, I term these hagiographical books “origin narratives” (chushen zhuan 出身傳). Weaving a plethora of legends and ritual traditions into the new “vernacular” xiaoshuo format, origin narratives offered comprehensive portrayals of gods, sages, and immortals in narrative form, and were marketed to a general, lay readership. Their narratives were often accompanied by additional materials (or “paratexts”), such as worship manuals, advertisements for temples, and messages from the gods themselves, that reveal the intimate connection of these books to contemporaneous cultic reverence of their protagonists. The content and composition of origin narratives reflect the extensive range of possibilities of late-Ming xiaoshuo narrative writing, challenging our understanding of reading. I argue that origin narratives functioned as entertaining and informative encyclopedic sourcebooks that consolidated all knowledge about their protagonists, from their hagiographies to their ritual traditions. Origin narratives also alert us to the hagiographical substrate in late-imperial literature and religious practice, wherein widely-revered figures played multiple roles in the culture. The reverence of these cultural icons was constructed through the relationship between what I call the Three Ps: their personas (and life stories), the practices surrounding their lore, and the places associated with them (or “sacred geographies”).
    [Show full text]
  • Handbook of Chinese Mythology TITLES in ABC-CLIO’S Handbooks of World Mythology
    Handbook of Chinese Mythology TITLES IN ABC-CLIO’s Handbooks of World Mythology Handbook of Arab Mythology, Hasan El-Shamy Handbook of Celtic Mythology, Joseph Falaky Nagy Handbook of Classical Mythology, William Hansen Handbook of Egyptian Mythology, Geraldine Pinch Handbook of Hindu Mythology, George Williams Handbook of Inca Mythology, Catherine Allen Handbook of Japanese Mythology, Michael Ashkenazi Handbook of Native American Mythology, Dawn Bastian and Judy Mitchell Handbook of Norse Mythology, John Lindow Handbook of Polynesian Mythology, Robert D. Craig HANDBOOKS OF WORLD MYTHOLOGY Handbook of Chinese Mythology Lihui Yang and Deming An, with Jessica Anderson Turner Santa Barbara, California • Denver, Colorado • Oxford, England Copyright © 2005 by Lihui Yang and Deming An All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without prior permission in writing from the publishers. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Yang, Lihui. Handbook of Chinese mythology / Lihui Yang and Deming An, with Jessica Anderson Turner. p. cm. — (World mythology) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 1-57607-806-X (hardcover : alk. paper) — ISBN 1-57607-807-8 (eBook) 1. Mythology, Chinese—Handbooks, Manuals, etc. I. An, Deming. II. Title. III. Series. BL1825.Y355 2005 299.5’1113—dc22 2005013851 This book is also available on the World Wide Web as an eBook. Visit abc-clio.com for details. ABC-CLIO, Inc. 130 Cremona Drive, P.O. Box 1911 Santa Barbara, California 93116–1911 This book is printed on acid-free paper.
    [Show full text]
  • Iafor the International Academic Forum Introduction
    A Shifting Gender Regime in Contemporary China? Fans’ Queer Readings of the Film Ne Zha Xiaofei Yang, RMIT University, Australia The Barcelona Conference on Arts, Media & Culture 2020 Official Conference Proceedings Abstract The animation film Ne Zha was a hit in the summer of 2019 in Chinese cyberspace. The film generated a lot discussion and user generated content from online fans. This is due largely to the film’s nuanced depiction of the relationship between its protagonist Ne Zha and his friend/enemy, Ao Bing. The homosocial/homoerotic undertone in their interactions had provoked the production and distribution of various forms of gay-themed fan arts (drawings, remixed short videos, photo-shopped pictures, etc.) regarding the two characters across the internet. This phenomenon is all the more thought-provoking when situated in China’s particular cultural environment, where depictions of non-heterosexualities or behaviors online are officially prohibited, inviting thorough scholarly scrutiny. Taking a post-modern feminist and queer perspective, this study examines fan-produced drawings and pictures of the film Ne Zha on Douban.com, one of the top rating websites in China. By interpreting selected fan works through content analysis, the study argues that while gay fan works of the film bridge together the disconnected relations of male homosociality and homosexuality between the two main characters, they nonetheless reproduce the patriarchal, hetero-sexist gender norms of a post-socialist China. Keywords: Chinese Queer Fandom, Gender, Sexuality, Homosociality, Content Analysis iafor The International Academic Forum www.iafor.org Introduction The screening of Nezha: birth of the demon child in China in the summer of 2019 was phenomenal.
    [Show full text]
  • Anti-Nuclear Goddess Mazu and Techno God Nezha in the Consolidation of Sustainability Movements
    The 60thannual conference American Association for Chinese Studies University of Maryland School of Law, Baltimore Panel 3C, October 6, 2018 Taiwan’s Civil Society Developing over the Last Sixty Years: Analysing from perspectives of religion, environmentalism, and student movements PAPER Civil Society and Religious Functions in Taiwan: Anti-nuclear Goddess Mazu and Techno God Nezha in the consolidation of sustainability movements Dr Fang-long Shih London School of Economics and Political Science [email protected] Abstract This paper examines Taiwan’s civil society in relation to religion. Religion has long served as a resource of strength and resistance in Taiwan in both pre- and post-democratic periods. This paper explores how religion functions as a form of empowerment in the sustain of civic campaigns, and in particular, looks at two supernatural forces and inspirations. First, I explore the so-called “anti-nuclear power goddess Mazu” and her prediction of the destiny of Taiwan’s Fourth Nuclear Power Plant. I denote that Mazu’s prediction has been interplayed between dis-belief and belief as a strategy of empowerment in the consolidation of the anti-nuclear protests. Second, I investigate the so-called “Techno Third Prince god Nezha” and troupe performance of him. I argue that Techno Nezha’s performance has been interplayed between Chinese mythology and Taiwanese practice as a strategy of resistance against unification and China’s rule, and further demonstration of Taiwan’s subjectivity. In the end, I conclude that Taiwan has since transition to democracy thrived diverse civic campaigns for various issues. Most campaigns gain support from particular political parties or organisations.
    [Show full text]
  • The Successful Exploration of the Value of Artistic Charm and Education ——Taking the Movie "NE ZHA: I Am the Destiny" As an Example
    2019 5th International Conference on Education, Management and Information Technology (ICEMIT 2019) The successful exploration of the value of artistic charm and education ——Taking the movie "NE ZHA: I am the destiny" as an example Jiaqi Lv College of Creativity Cultural and Communication, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321000, China Keywords: Animated film value, Artistic, Education Abstract: The integration of art and education is a bridge to promote the harmonious development of people's potential ability and inner feelings. It can help people to create better literacy and better control their abilities. Chinese animated films also shoulder this important responsibility. The film "NE ZHA: I am the destiny" shows that it is a high-quality film that combines artistic, educational and entertaining in the field of animated films in recent years, from theme positioning, character portrayal, plot setting, audio-visual design to detail. The depiction is full of educational philosophy, embodying the educational value orientation and social significance of animated films. 1. Introduction “NE ZHA: I am the destiny” (hereinafter referred to as "NE ZHA") is the strongest dark horse in the summer movie field. Up to now, it has not only broken the record of 956 million movie box office of "Monkey King: Hero is Back ", but also hit the total box office record of 1.53 billion in the American Disneyland "Zootropolis". "NE ZHA" is based on the traditional Chinese mythology story "Prince Nezha's Triumph Against Dragon King", which is very different from the original "Granting Titles to Gods", which is a 3D animated film that deducts and expands its character image and content concept.
    [Show full text]
  • Fengshen Yanyi 封神演義illustrations: Bridging Religion and Entertainment
    Fengshen yanyi 封神演義 Illustrations: Bridging Religion and Entertainment Barbara Witt Research Center for Chinese Cultural Subjectivity in Taiwan, National Chengchi University Fengshen yanyi 封神演義, variously translated as “Investiture of the Gods”, “Canonization of the Gods” or “Metamorphoses of the Gods” among others, is an important late Ming religious novel, second in popularity only to the famous Xiyou ji 西遊記. Together these two novels head the genre of late imperial popular religious novels that Lu Xun 魯迅 named shenmo xiaoshuo 神魔小說, “Novels About Gods and Demons”.1 We know from late Qing dynasty sources that Fengshen yanyi was actually used in religious contexts as a prompt book for religious edification2 in a capacity that Chinese missionaries saw as challenging the ‘Truth” of the Bible.3 Liang Qichao 梁啟超 singled it out as one of the works holding back the modernization of the Chinese populace due to its great influence.4 Even earlier in the Qing dynasty xiaoshuo 小說 have been mentioned as a fourth belief next to the standardized “Three Teachings” (sanjiao 三教) of Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism5 and one scholar even claimed that all of Northern China belief in the events described in the novel.6 Despite what this suggests, the novel itself is not a straightforward religious narrative. Rather, it is based on a popular historical narrative cycle (that had developed by the Yuan dynasty at the latest) about the Campaign of King Wu of Zhou against King Zhou of Shang (Wu wang fa Zhou 武王伐紂). This story cycle was supplemented by a large number of characters based on popular and local deities from late Ming religious syncretism.
    [Show full text]
  • THE MAGNITUDE of MING Command, Allotment, and Fate in Chinese Culture
    TheMagnitudeofMing THE MAGNITUDE OF MING Command, Allotment, and Fate in Chinese Culture Edited by Christopher Lupke University of Hawai`i Press Honolulu ( 2005 University of Hawai`i Press All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America 050607080910654321 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data The magnitude of ming : command, allotment, and fate in Chinese culture / edited by Christopher Lupke. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-8248-2739-2 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Fate and fatalism. 2. Philosophy, Chinese. I. Lupke, Christopher. BJ1461.M34 2005 1230.0951Ðdc22 2004014194 Publication of this book has been assisted by a grant from the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange. University of Hawai`i Press books are printed on acid-free paper and meet the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Council on Library Resources. Designed by University of Hawai`i Press production staff Printed by The Maple-Vail Book Manufacturing Group For My Mother, Clara Lupke Contents Preface ix Diverse Modes of Ming: An Introduction Christopher Lupke 1 Part I The Foundations of Fate Early Chinese Conceptions of Ming 1 Command and the Content of Tradition David Schaberg 23 2 Following the Commands of Heaven: The Notion of Ming in Early China Michael Puett 49 3 Languages of Fate: Semantic Fields in Chinese and Greek Lisa Raphals 70 4 How to Steer through Life: Negotiating Fate in the Daybook Mu-chou Poo 107 Part II Escape Attempts from Finitude Ming in the Later Han and Six Dynasties
    [Show full text]
  • The Nomination of the Gods and Mysticism Written by Scholar Duc Qui
    (Revised Edition 2008) – by TRIEU PHUOC (Religious name: DUC QUY) SECRET TEACHINGS (Translated from Vietnamese) Preface We would like to introduce to our members in Matgiao (secret Teachings) the book entitled: The Nomination of the Gods and Mysticism written by Scholar Duc Qui. It contains commentaries on the mystical and religious nature found in the Chinese classic mythical epic "The Nomination of the Gods" as well as explanations on the mystical and metaphysical principles concerning the operation of Heaven by Great Spirits. They were drawn from his personal encounters with events dealing with miracles, possessions, charms and spells... The book also has articles on the religious doctrines of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Confucianism. The content in this book was published in Mat Giao magazine: issue No 3 1985 to issue No 17, 1986. The Editing group Spring 1986 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS The Nomination of the Gods and Mysticism Foreword…………………………………………………… 3 King Zhou and Goddess Nu Wa………………………… 4 The Evil Fox Murders Daji………………………………… 7 Yun Zhong Zi Offers the Magic word……………….......... 10 The Birth of Nezha at Chentang Pass……………………. 15 Jiang Ziya Leaves the Mountain………………………...... 24 Jiang Ziya’s Marriage………………………………………. 28 Jiang Ziya – Fortune Telling……………………………….. 33 Jiang Ziya Burns the “Jade Lute” Demon……………….. 43 Religious Opinions on the Origin of Life And The Universe………………………………………………… 53 General Outline of Buddhism Based on the Dogmas of Various Buddhist Sects……………………… 66 Good and Evil……………………………………………….. 83 2 The Nomination of the Gods and Mysticism Foreword: The book, "Reward for the Seven Sages”, mentioned the story of two monks. One monk practiced (Taoism) and the other Buddhism.
    [Show full text]