Why is witchcraft prevalent in Chu?

Through a large number of historical materials, we can see that the prevalence of witchcraft in Chen Chu culture (1) is also closely related to its special geographical location, natural environment and human environment. Chen Chu culture is a regional culture formed and developed in Chen Chu from the ancient legend period to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period (centered on Zhoukou, Henan Province today), and it has been inherited and developed in later generations. It has its own unique charm and value. In ancient times, Chen Di was in the cultural exchange center of Huaxia, Dongyi and Chuman tribes, and its rooted area was Chen Chu. Now scholars generally believe that Chen Chu's hometown is the area under the jurisdiction of Zhoukou City, Henan Province and the northwest of Anhui Province. Located in the hinterland of the Central Plains, it is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization. The administrative and cultural center of Chen Chu was in Huaiyang. Huaiyang was called "Wanqiu" in ancient times. In ancient times, it was the city of Taihao Fuxi, the capital of Shennong, the domain of Yuzhou in summer and the fief in commerce. The Western Zhou Dynasty was enfeoffed, and the prince of Wu filled the position here and established the State of Chen. At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, Chu destroyed Chen, who was an important town in northern Chu. At the end of the Warring States Period, the capital of Chu moved here, and Chencheng was called "Chen Ying" and "Chen Chu" in history. The so-called "Chen Chu culture" refers to a regional culture that originated and developed in Chen Chu, and it is the general name of all cultures created by people living in Chen Chu in history.

China culture is the product of various regional cultural exchanges and integration, while Chen Di is at the center of various regional cultural exchanges, absorbing more factors from North and South cultures. At that time, there were considerable witchcraft factors in both northern and southern cultures. Therefore, the prosperity of witchcraft in Chen Chu culture is also very obvious. We can know this from the literary work The Book of Songs, which can best reflect the life and social characteristics of the people in Chen Di at that time. You can see Martin clearly.

1. The Book of Songs? The Witchcraft Phenomenon of Chen Chu Culture in Chen Feng

The culture of a certain region is the epitome of the society in this region, from which we can know this region well. What about the Book of Songs? Martin was the epitome of Chen's social life at that time. The Book of Songs? Martin is a literary work describing Chen Chu's hometown, from which we can see many aspects of social life in that place at that time. In many aspects of life, the prosperity of witchcraft is one of its remarkable characteristics. Let's start with the Book of Songs. Martin "to understand the witchcraft prevalent in Chen Chu society.

The Book of Songs? Chen Feng's first article is The Book of Songs? Wan Qiu, the full text is as follows:

You spin and dance. I am attracted to you, but I dare not hope.

The drums sounded and rolled on the ground. No matter the severe winter or the hot summer, the clean egret is in Yang's hands.

Knocking on the tile fou and dancing in the street. It's neither winter nor summer, is it worth it? . (2)

There is a saying about the theme of this poem, that is, it is a stab to Chen Hao's witchcraft theory. Hao Yixing's "Shi Wen" and Wei Yuan's "Shigu Wei" both hold this view, arguing that Chen Zhixian's wife is of noble birth and can sing and dance well, and it has become a custom for the people to carry on the family line. This poem really stabbed the common people in Chen's works. There is also a saying that love poems are love songs, which is the view of most scholars after the rise of the May 4th New Culture Movement. People think that the poem Wan Qiu expresses the poet's love for a witch. Due to the lack of necessary text support, the word "Tang" (swing) in poetry can't draw the conclusion that the thorn dancer is dissolute, and swing means swing, which is the description of the dancer's passionate dance. Moreover, judging from the lyricism of the text semantics, it is very reasonable for the author of the poem to express his admiration for a witch dancer with passionate love in a state of Chen where some primitive religious fanaticism, witchcraft and witch dancing are preserved all the year round. Although these two views are quite different, we can see that they both advocate Chen Hao's witchcraft theory. In fact, the author thinks that "Wan Qiu" reflects the religious songs and dances of blessing. Although superstitious, it also contains entertainment content. It can be seen that Chen attached great importance to sacrificial activities at that time, and witchcraft prevailed in sacrificial activities.

We also have the same phenomenon in the Book of Songs? Martin? East gate? "It can also be seen that its full text is as follows:

East gate? , the omen of ten thousand autumn.

Zi Zhong's son, dancing under him.

Poverty is the origin of the South.

If you don't do this, the city will dance.

The more you die, the more you die Mai.

Think of you as? Let me hold the pepper. (3)

The interpretation of this poem has always been ambiguous. Among many explanations, some scholars think: "This is a young man who fell in love with a girl at a group dance in the suburbs. This poem shows the genre painting of Chen Guo's love, singing and dancing. " Some scholars think: "This is a witch waiting to jump somewhere else on an auspicious day of the ecliptic, cooking with a pot. This is a poem that satirizes witches. " Now, most people think that it should be a poem about a witchcraft festival in Chen Guo, rather than an ordinary poem about men and women meeting and singing and dancing. It can also be seen that the prosperity of witchcraft is a major feature of Chen's novels. This phenomenon is in the Book of Songs? Other chapters of Martin are also reflected.

In short, when we open Martin, we will feel the rich folk customs. Chen Di has fertile land, dense population, prosperous products and culture. In order to better develop agricultural production, local people always pray to God for happiness. Therefore, witchcraft was quite popular at that time.

Second, the reasons for the prevalence of witchcraft in Chen Chu culture

The formation and prosperity of a regional culture are influenced by many factors, and the prevalence of witchcraft in Chen Chu culture is generally deeply influenced by geographical location, historical development and historical origin. Chen Di is located in the Central Plains with superior natural environment, and it is also an area where various political forces in ancient times handed over and competed. The evolution of dynasties and cultures had a great influence on Chen Di. The special geographical area makes Abatti Giresse Concorde's culture both north and south, and forms a unique regional culture in the exchange and integration of multi-cultures. Both Chen Wenhua and Chu culture have strong witchcraft factors. Therefore, it is quite normal for witchcraft to prevail in Chen Chu culture.

1. The unique geographical environment contributed to the prevalence of witchcraft in Chen Chu culture.

Geographically, Chen Di is located at the crossroads of eastern Henan, with a vast territory, no mountains and rivers and convenient transportation. Historical records? "Biography of Huo Zhi" contains: "At the turn of Chu and Xia, there were many people who knew about the wealth of salt." (4) Gu Zuyu, a historical geographer in the early Qing Dynasty, said in the Summary of Reading History and Geography: Abatti Giresse Concorde "controlled the suburbs of Cai and Ying, and controlled the way of Song Dynasty. There is something wrong with it, which refers to the east and downstream, and it is also the place where it operates. "

"The original land is wet and fertile, and the water flows smoothly" (5). This special geographical environment makes it integrate north and south, inclusive, and creates a unique regional cultural style. As neighbors, Chen and Chu are deeply influenced by the witch culture of Chu. We also know that both Chen's ancestors and Chu's ancestors have the tradition of offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors, and they all like to offer sacrifices to witches and ghosts with songs and dances in sacrificial activities. Therefore, Chen, who is located at the junction of the north and the south, can integrate the characteristics of the north and the south and must have stronger witchcraft characteristics.

2. Similar historical and cultural background strengthens the witchcraft tradition of Chen Chu culture.

Historically, the witchcraft characteristics of Chen Chu culture also have deep roots. According to Chen Di, this custom was popular and handed down under the influence of Tai Chi, the eldest daughter of Chen and the wife of the first monarch of Chen State. Hanshu? "Historical Records" contains: "The daughter of Tai Ji is noble and good at offering sacrifices to witches, so she is good at witchcraft and ghosts. Wan Qiu drummed and danced? There is a legacy of Tai Chi singing and dancing under the tree. According to the Book of Songs, Martin was a good witch, and Mrs. Chen was said to be a good witch in the Han Dynasty, and she was sacrificed. Zhang Yan pointed out that Mrs. Gong Hu, the daughter of the prince of Wu, was too childless to worship ghosts and gods. "Zhengpu" said: "da ji, who has no children, is a good wizard, seeking the joy of singing and dancing by ghosts and gods and making it popular. The Biography of Poetry also quoted a passage from Yue's Biography of Korean Poetry: "All five horses are paid under the hill. Chen Zhifu's people have teachers' families and ride on mounds. This mound is Wanqiu. Chen Youshan is high, and Zheng still has a deep garden, all of which are the views of Chinese people. When you sit in the teacher's car, Dr. Chen's wandering is excessive and has become a custom for a long time. "It can be seen that Chen's witchcraft is thriving.

Similarly, Chu people like witches and ghosts very much. "Lu Chunqiu? Yibao said, "Chu people believe in ghosts. "Lv Hou? Geography: "Chu people believe in witches and ghosts and attach great importance to prostitution. "(6) Witches in Chu are active and pray for ghosts and gods in everything. The Chu language says, "The people are brilliant, but they can be honest and clean. Their wisdom is superior to righteousness, their holy power is far and wide, their light can shine, and their wisdom can be heard thoroughly. If this is the case, they will decline in wisdom, and the men will be dark and the women will be dark. " Therefore, the similar historical and cultural background strengthens the profound witchcraft tradition in the history of Chen Chu's hometown.

Third, the influence of witchcraft on Chen Chu culture.

1. Strengthen the traditional custom of offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors.

The prevalence of primitive witchcraft culture means that people's rational thinking is underdeveloped, especially their understanding of birth, aging, illness and death is insufficient, and even they are afraid of death, but they are awed by life. At the same time, due to the low level of productivity at that time, people could not control and explain various natural phenomena, which led to people's worship of different forces of nature. On the other hand, people don't want to completely succumb to nature, so the magnificent myth of "conquering and dominating natural forces with imagination and with imagination" appears again. Think about the great achievements of ancestors, and then connect ancestors with gods, which will produce a strong worship of gods and ancestors.

According to historical records, Chu and Chen share the same ancestor worship. The ancestor of Chu people is Zhuan Xu's Levin family, and Qu Yuan's Lisao: "The Miao nationality of Levin Emperor is Xi, and my emperor Kao Ri Bo Yong." Historical records? Chu family: "The ancestor of Chu came from Lai and Zhuan Xu." (7) "Zuo Zhuan? Zhao Gong seventeen years: "Wei, Zhuan Xu's shortcomings. Therefore, the Japanese Emperor Mountain. Du pre-note: "Wei, now Puyang County." . In the past, Xiang lived in it, and there was Zhuan Xu's tomb in the city. "Historical Records?" Biography of the Five Emperors is a collection of explanations about Huangfu Mi days. Zhuan Xu is the capital of Diqiu, and now Puyang, the Oriental County. "Zuo Zhuan" clearly stated that Chen was "too vain" and pointed out: "Chen Ye is the home of Zhuan Xu. Mencius said, "Shun was born in Xia and died in Mingtiao." . The people of dongyi are also. "(8) Therefore, judging from the origin of Chen and Chu, this is a series of Dongyi. Therefore, the prosperity of witchcraft not only reflects Chen Chu's strong ancestor worship, but also strengthens this worship. Today, from February 2 to March 3 every year, it can still be seen in the bustling Taihaoling Temple Fair in Huaiyang area. And the ancestor worship activities with a long history related to it.

2. Cultivate fertile soil for Laozi's "Tao" thought

The customs of a certain area will have an important influence on the culture of that area. Laozi's Taoist thought, which originated in Chen Chu, was undoubtedly influenced by local customs. When we study Laozi's thoughts, we will find that Laozi's thoughts have strong witchcraft cultural characteristics. This feature is undoubtedly closely related to Chen Chu's rich folk background of witchcraft and primitive worship. Laozi is in a unique position in the transitional stage from mythical thinking to theoretical thinking and from primitive thinking to philosophical abstract thinking. His concept of "Tao" is abstracted from the concrete representation of mythical thinking, which is the result of abstracting and logicizing the wizard's world view. Laozi used the rich regional culture of Chen Chu for reference, and established his own speculative concept and category system on the basis of Chen Chu's primitive religious myth and witchcraft concept. Therefore, his theory has always adhered to or relied on the "mythical image" centered on Chen Chu's witchcraft and folklore, which has distinctive Chen Chu cultural characteristics. For example, Laozi's most famous "Tao gives birth to one, life gives birth to two, life gives birth to three, and life gives birth to everything." (9) There are many similarities between the Yin-Yang thoughts and the Yin-Yang and Five Elements thoughts of witchcraft.

In a word, the prevalence of witchcraft in Chen Chu's hometown had an important influence on that time and later generations. In the big garden of traditional culture, there are different kinds of flowers and trees, both good and evil. When you meet the right soil, you can also bear beneficial fruits.