Life-friendly Or Death-friendly—on Fengshui & The Social Cultural Flux In Fujian Province`

Starting from a social cultural perspective orientated towards the specific region of Fujian, the dissertation is rather a rational and systematic exploration examining the inter-dynamic relationship between the customs of Fengshui and the conventional local society of Fujian. Focusing on the span between the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty, I attach much importance to a diachronic analysis of the region instead of venturing a close-up at the present situation which is now undergoing radical changes. The whole thesis consists of 7 different sections.In the 1st section of Introduction, I begin with a brief account and reflection on the researches existing home and abroad before proposing the framework for both the study and analysis. I also specify the research approach and local historical materials involved therein.In the 2nd section, the history of Fujian is traced up by means of archaeological data, clan charts as well as other local literatures. I probe into some relationships between Fengshui and immigration of Chinese nationality from the north to Fujian, striving to catch a glimpse of the course of an effective cultural infiltration of China from the central plains down to Fujian province, and to examine its influences on the early development there. Generally speaking, prior to the Tang Dynasty, the main factor for such an immigration trend had been turmoil avoidance. At that time, the geomantic activities for a peaceful homestead were far from being prevalent. However, starting from the Five Dynasties, development of early clans in Fujian has been closely linked to the concept of Fengshui, namely, the geomantic omens.The 3rd section saw me focusing on the formation, dissemination, and transformation from conflicting into compatible of the two genres of Fengshui dating from the Tang Dynasty and the Song Dynasty, it is not a linear description of the inner logic of the development of Fengshui, rather, it has centered round the external factors for an exploration of the regional historical expression of the two genres in the course of social and cultural changes. Spreading of the two genres of Fengshui has strong effect on the cultural conformity, it is not exaggeration to say that it actually has participated in the reform of the regional culture in Fujian and the construction of morality among the public. Nevertheless, the conformity and rate of regional expansion of the two genres has been greatly influenced by the external factors of social changes.In the 4th section, by referring to the Fengshui-associated almanacs, divine slips,juju, and wishful messages for instances, I track the penetration of the belief ingeomantic omens into the folk culture of Fujian, seeking the answers for why and how this has grown. Viewing from the point of cultural changes, establishment of Fengshui among the public of Fujian has been a process of value transformation and meaning rebirth. Fengshui has been turned into a social memory through a gradual internalization, influencing the identification choice of different nationalities in Fujian. It is with the gradual localization and folk-orientation of the religious believes in Fujian that the concept of Fengshui has won general acceptance among the public, merging with various folk activities and, at length, becoming part of the social cultural life of the folk.The 5th section is mainly on the issue of relationship between Fengshui and human choice of the gentry, which tended to form a "benefit community" composing of well-educated intellectuals such as local officals, squires, and scholars. The gentry managed to construct, change or restore the order of public space in their region through Fengshui梐 meaning image deemed then. Their aims might have been "externalized", such as to upgrade the atmosphere for the worshipping of humanity and titles in a specific area, which would be positive towards the development of local culture and education in the area; or sometimes "underlying", such as aiming at a balanced social and economic order of the region, whi...