Early Chinese Religion: Part One: Shang through Han – John Lagerwey, Marc Kalinowski – 1986
Early Chinese Religion: Part One: Shang through Han
This work, authored by John Lagerwey and Marc Kalinowski, explores the formative period of Chinese religious beliefs and practices, spanning from the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE) through the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). It delves into the evolution of concepts such as *Tian* (Heaven), ancestor veneration, divination, and the development of early cosmological and ritual systems. A core focus is placed on understanding how these early religious ideas shaped Chinese society, political structures, and conceptions of the self.
Historical / Cultural Context
The study of early Chinese religion is crucial for understanding the deep cultural roots of East Asian civilizations. Prior scholarship often approached Chinese religion through the lens of later philosophical schools like Confucianism and Daoism, sometimes overlooking the foundational religious beliefs that predated and influenced these systems. Lagerwey and Kalinowski’s work, part of a larger multi-volume series, aims to reconstruct a more comprehensive picture of early Chinese religion as it was actually practiced, utilizing archaeological evidence, textual analysis of oracle bone inscriptions, and early literary sources. This period witnessed the transition from a decentralized system of shamanistic practices in the Shang dynasty to the more centralized and bureaucratized religious structures of the Han, influenced by Confucian ideals. The authors aim to show the complexities and continuities within these transformations.
Who This Book Is For
This book is primarily intended for an academic audience, including students and scholars of Chinese history, religion, and anthropology. However, the clarity of the writing and the thoroughness of the research make it accessible to informed general readers interested in the origins of Chinese thought and culture. Readers should have some familiarity with basic Chinese historical periods. The work assumes a level of scholarly interest and doesn’t shy away from detailed textual analysis and theoretical discussions.
Further Reading
- Sources of Chinese Tradition edited by Wm. Theodore de Bary and Irene Bloom: A broad collection of translated texts that provide context for understanding Chinese religious and philosophical history.
- The Cambridge History of Ancient China edited by Michael Loewe and Edward L. Shaughnessy: A comprehensive, multi-authored survey of ancient Chinese history, including detailed coverage of religious beliefs and practices.
- Religion and Ritual in Ancient China by Wolfram Eberhard: An earlier but still valuable overview of ancient Chinese religious life.
Disclaimer.
Oraclepedia is an independent educational and cultural project. The material presented explores myths, belief systems, symbolic traditions, and aspects of human perception from historical, cultural, and psychological perspectives.
Content is provided for informational and reflective purposes only and does not promote specific beliefs, spiritual practices, or ideological positions. Interpretations presented reflect scholarly, cultural, or symbolic analysis rather than factual claims about the natural world.