Ancient Chinese Divination PDF Download

Author: Stephen Lee Field
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
ISBN:
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 168

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Book Description
In China, the art of divination (the act of seeking prophetic information to avoid misfortune) had a profound influence on the rise of medicine, science, government, and, most importantly, philosophy and religion. This compact volume begins by explaining how divination evolved in Chinese society from the New Stone Age until the classical period and goes on to discuss how new forms of divination developed directly and indirectly out of the ancient traditions.Comprehensive and up-to-date, "Ancient Chinese Divination" will acquaint readers with not only the origin and evolution of a significant and fascinating traditional Chinese art, but also a sampling of its most important practical applications, some of which, such as feng shui, have achieved a near-universal level of appreciation and relevance.

Author: Neil Powell
Publisher: Chinese Bound
ISBN: 9781782747215
Category : Divination
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The I Ching is an ancient Chinese work of divination that examines the patterns, or hexagrams, traditionally formed by dropping bundles of dried grass stalks. This edition features interpretations of the 64 hexagrams, including the Judgment, written by King Wen in the 12th Century BCE; The Commentary and The Image (both attributed to Confucius); and The Lines, written by King Wen's son, and here enhanced by modern commentary.

Author: Lisa Raphals
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107010756
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 499

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Book Description
This book compares the intellectual and social history and past and present contexts of mantic practices (divination) in Chinese and Greek antiquity.

Author: Sasha Fenton
Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser
ISBN: 1571747966
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
PBaffled by Chinese astrology? Confused by Feng Shui? Author Sasha Fenton delves into 11 major divination systems based on ancient Chinese practices, providing easily accessible introductions and instructions so the beginner can put these methods to use./PPIncluded are the following:BRULLIChinese astrology/LILIFeng Shui/LILII Ching/LILIChinese hand reading/LILIFace reading/LILILunar oracle/LILIMah Jong reading/LILILo Shu Square/LILIWeighing the bones/LILIYarrow stick divination/LILIFour Pillars of Destiny/LI/UL/P

Author: Edward L. Shaughnessy
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 0231533306
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 364

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Book Description
In recent years, three ancient manuscripts relating to the Yi jing (I Ching), or Classic of Changes, have been discovered. The earliest—the Shanghai Museum Zhou Yi—dates to about 300 B.C.E. and shows evidence of the text's original circulation. The Guicang, or Returning to Be Stored, reflects another ancient Chinese divination tradition based on hexagrams similar to those of the Yi jing. In 1993, two manuscripts were found in a third-century B.C.E. tomb at Wangjiatai that contain almost exact parallels to the Guicang's early quotations, supplying new information on the performance of early Chinese divination. Finally, the Fuyang Zhou Yi was excavated from the tomb of Xia Hou Zao, lord of Ruyin, who died in 165 B.C.E. Each line of this classic is followed by one or more generic prognostications similar to phrases found in the Yi jing, indicating exciting new ways the text was produced and used in the interpretation of divinations. Unearthing the Changes details the discovery and significance of the Shanghai Museum Zhou Yi, the Wangjiatai Guicang, and the Fuyang Zhou Yi, including full translations of the texts and additional evidence constructing a new narrative of the Yi jing's writing and transmission in the first millennium B.C.E. An introduction situates the role of archaeology in the modern attempt to understand the Classic of Changes. By showing how the text emerged out of a popular tradition of divination, these newly unearthed manuscripts reveal an important religious dimension to its evolution.

Author: Jerry King
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781502335975
Category : Astrology, Chinese
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This book seeks to explain the theories behind an ancient Chinese divination system, Qi Men Dun Jia. Real-life situations are analyzed to illustrate how the theories of Qi Men Dun Jia are applied and how the outcomes can be determined through the logic of this system. Qi Men Dun Jia: An Ancient Chinese Divination System covers a wide range of topics suitable for readers of all levels, from those who are just starting to learn about this method all the way to advanced practitioners. In the past, Qi Men Dun Jia was often used for strategizing in combat and war; but today, practitioners are utilizing this method effectively in business matters, career, health, relationships, lawsuits, Feng Shui remedies, and numerous other aspects of daily life. With this book, you will have the opportunity to learn and apply the theories of Qi Men Dun Jia. Many of the formulas written in the Chinese classics are translated and explained in this book. By understanding the intricacies of this method and knowing how to apply the theories, you can use Qi Men Dun Jia in a way that effectively improves others' lives and helps you make better life decisions.

Author: Richard J Smith
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429710755
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 414

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Book Description
Providing an analysis of Chinese divination as a means of organizing and interpreting reality, Richard Smith examines a wide variety of mantic techniques - from the use of the hallowed Yjing to such popular practices as siting (geomancy), astrology, numerology, physiognomy, the analysis of written characters, meteorological divination, the use of mediums (including spirit-writing), and dream interpretation. As he explains the pervasiveness and tenacity of divination in China, the author explores not only the connections between various mantic techniques but also the relationship between divination and other facets of Chinese culture, including philosophy, science and medicine. He discusses the symbolism of divination, its aesthetics, its ritual aspects, and its psychological and social significance, pointing out that in traditional China divination helped to order the future, just as history helped to order the past, and rituals the present.

Author: Ralph D. Sawyer
Publisher: Basic Books (AZ)
ISBN: 046502145X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 578

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Book Description
A leading historical scholar offers the definitive account of the strategies and technology that shaped the earliest Chinese dynasties--from walled defenses to chariot-driven warriors.

Author: Constance Cook
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9047410637
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 300

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Book Description
This richly illustrated book provides a glimpse into the belief system and the material wealth of the social elite in pre-Imperial China through a close analysis of tomb contents and excavated bamboo texts. The point of departure is the textual and material evidence found in one tomb of an elite man buried in 316 BCE near a once wealthy middle Yangzi River valley metropolis. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of cosmological symbolism and the nature of the spirit world. The author shows how illness and death were perceived as steps in a spiritual journey from one realm into another. Transmitted textual records are compared with excavated texts. The layout and contents of this multi-chambered tomb are analyzed as are the contents of two texts, a record of divination and sacrifices performed during the last three years of the occupant’s life and a tomb inventory record of mortuary gifts. The texts are fully translated and annotated in the appendices. A first-time close-up view of a set of local beliefs which not only reflect the larger ancient Chinese religious system but also underlay the rich intellectual and artistic life of pre-Imperial China. With first full translations of texts previously unknown to all except a small handful of sinologists.

Author: Tom Riseman
Publisher: Thorsons Publishers
ISBN: 9780850309850
Category : I Ching
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This easy-to-use guide explains the ancient Chinese divination system of I Ching, enabling anyone to master basic interpretation of the sixty-four hexagrams.