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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Religions
Main Author: Liu, Liang (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: MDPI 2022
In: Religions
Further subjects:B Guoyu
B Shamanism
B Possession
B Wu and Xi
B Chuyu Xia
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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.
ISSN:2077-1444
Contains:Enthalten in: Religions
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.3390/rel13080741