Ritual and Mythology of the Chinese Triads: Creating an Identity

Haar, Barend J. Ter

ISBN 10: 9004110631 / ISBN 13: 9789004110632

Published by Brill, Leiden, 1998

About this Item

Hardcover. 9 3/4" X 6 1/2". xiii, 517pp. Book presents nicely with unclipped dust jacket wrapped in protective archival sleeve. Very mild shelf wear to covers, corners, and edges of jacket. Bound in orange cloth over boards wtih spine and front cover stamped in gilt. Pages are clean and unmarked. Binding is sound. ABOUT THIS BOOK: The extensive ritual and mythological lore of the Chinese Triads form the scope of this new paperback in Brill's Scholar's List. In it the reader will find a critical evaluation of the extant sources together with a true wealth of context. The core of the book is formed by a close reading of the initiation ritual, including the burning of incense, the altar, the enactment of a journey of life and death, and the blood covenant. Different narrative structures are also presented. These include the messianic demonological paradigm, political legitimation, and the foundation of myth. Triad lore is placed in its own religious and cultural context, allowing radically new conclusions about its origins, meanings and functions. This book is of special interest to social historians, anthropologists, and students of Chinese religious culture.(Publisher).

Seller Inventory # 15591

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Ritual and Mythology of the Chinese Triads: Creating an Identity
• Publisher: Brill, Leiden
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9004110631
• ISBN 13: 9789004110632
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very good
• Dust Jacket Condition: very good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Anthropology & Archeology
  • Law, Politics, & Sociology

About this title

Synopsis

The extensive ritual and mythological lore of the Chinese Triads form the scope of this new paperback in Brill’s Scholar’s List. In it the reader will find a critical evaluation of the extant sources together with a true wealth of context.
The core of the book is formed by a close reading of the initiation ritual, including the burning of incense, the altar, the enactment of a journey of life and death, and the blood covenant. Different narrative structures are also presented. These include the messianic demonological paradigm, political legitimation, and the foundation of myth.
Triad lore is placed in its own religious and cultural context, allowing radically new conclusions about its origins, meanings and functions. This book is of special interest to social historians, anthropologists, and students of Chinese religious culture.

About the Author

Barend J. ter Haar, Doctorate (1990) in Sinology, University of Leiden. Professor of the Social and Economic History of China at the University of Heidelberg. Has published on religious culture, traditional violence, Triads and sects, including The White Lotus Teachings in Chinese Religious History (Brill, 1992).