The Language and Iconography of Chinese Charms [electronic resource] : Deciphering a Past Belief System /
Fang, Alex Chengyu.editor.
Thierry, François.editor.
This book offers an in-depth description and analysis of Chinese coin-like charms, which date back to the second century CE and which continued to be used until mid 20th century. This work is unique in that it provides an archaeological and analytical interpretation of the content of these metallic objects: inscriptive, pictorial or both. As the component chapters show, these coin-like objects represent a wealth of Chinese traditional folk beliefs, including but not limited to family values, social obligations and religious desires. The book presents a collection of contributed chapters, gathering a diverse range of perspectives and expertise from some of the world’s leading scholars in the fields of archaeology, religious studies, art history, language and museology. The background of the cover image is a page from Guang jin shi yun fu 廣金石韻府, a rhyming dictionary first published in the ninth year of the Kangxi Reign (1652 CE). The metal charm dates back to the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE), depicting two deities traditionally believed to possess the majic power of suppressing evil spirits. The stich-bound book in the foreground is a collection of seal impressions from the beginning of the 20th century. Its wooden press board is inscribed da ji xiang 大吉祥 by Fang Zhi-bin 方質彬 in the year of bing yin (1926 CE).
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1 Chinese Charms and the Iconographic Language of Good Luck and Heavenly Protection -- 2 Charms Decorated with Liu bo Patterns from the Han Dynasty -- 3 Not an Ordinary Hoard: The Coins in the Hejiacun Treasure -- 4 The Language of Protective Power: Star Worship and the Four Spirits Charms -- 5 Coin Charms Featuring Gods and Spirits during the Song and the Jin Dynasties -- 6 Horse Coins: Pieces for Da ma, the Chinese Board Game “Driving Horses” -- 7 The Liao Dynasty Coins Inscribed Ten Thousand Years -- 8 Temple Coins of the Yuan Dynasty -- 9 Lucky Charms from the Ming and the Qing Dynasties -- 10 Writing against Evil: Epigraphy on Chinese Ya guai Charms -- 11 The Vietnamese Charms in the Department of Coins and Medals of the French National Library -- 12 Fuhonsen Coins and the Ancient Japanese Theology -- 13 A Book Review of Chinese Charms: Arts, Religion and Folk Belief -- 14 A List of Historical Texts -- 15 Bibliography -- 16 Index -- 17 A Chronology of Chinese Dynasties and Periods.
This book offers an in-depth description and analysis of Chinese coin-like charms, which date back to the second century CE and which continued to be used until mid 20th century. This work is unique in that it provides an archaeological and analytical interpretation of the content of these metallic objects: inscriptive, pictorial or both. As the component chapters show, these coin-like objects represent a wealth of Chinese traditional folk beliefs, including but not limited to family values, social obligations and religious desires. The book presents a collection of contributed chapters, gathering a diverse range of perspectives and expertise from some of the world’s leading scholars in the fields of archaeology, religious studies, art history, language and museology. The background of the cover image is a page from Guang jin shi yun fu 廣金石韻府, a rhyming dictionary first published in the ninth year of the Kangxi Reign (1652 CE). The metal charm dates back to the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE), depicting two deities traditionally believed to possess the majic power of suppressing evil spirits. The stich-bound book in the foreground is a collection of seal impressions from the beginning of the 20th century. Its wooden press board is inscribed da ji xiang 大吉祥 by Fang Zhi-bin 方質彬 in the year of bing yin (1926 CE).
Archaeology.
Cultural heritage.
China—History.
Archaeology.
Cultural Heritage.
History of China.