Ming And Qing Dynasties Poseidon Faith And Economic And Social

With seagod worship as its object of study, this article attempts to research into Chinese humanities and social sciences of the ocean, and the history of the social economics of the ocean. Culture is the humanization of nature. What is called ocean culture is actually the culture of ocean gods and what is called seagod worship is basically the worship of ocean gods. Based on this logical starting point, the article constructs a system of Chinese ocean gods, which consists of three sub-systems of gods: gods of aquatic creatures, Genii for ocean navigation and trade god of ocean fishery and commerce, and pilotage god. The establishment of the seagod system is the foundation of this article. The ocean, rich in natural resources, was in the eyes of ancient people full of spirits, mysteries and temptations, which attracted them to the ocean. Endowing seagoing vessels with "characteristics of the spirits", the ancient people tried to create a "small world" to contend with the external "genie world". Establishing a vast god system of navigation genii, sea guard and commercial gods, the ancient seamen created a security system to protect themselves and to profit economically from the ocean. Everybody, whether he was a fisherman, a merchant or an immigrant, would hold rituals before sailing off to pray for safety and fortune .People on board the ship formed a "special society at sea", who set up a shrine on the ship for spirits and idols, the purpose of which is not only to facilitate worship and sacrifice when they were at sea, but also to get timely bless and protection from seagods. The worship and sacrifice ceremonies within various ocean societies (for example fishing villages, trade units, immigrants, etc.) on land and islands greatly strengthened the solidarity within the society and enhanced team spirits. The simultaneous sacrifice to different seagods in ocean societies and on the shrines of ocean going vessels varied with region and with the type of ocean society, whichreflected both regional difference in seagod worship and different wishes of various groups of believers. The seagod worship system of China appeared and developed as ancient people turned to the ocean and sought economic benefits from it. The development of the seagod worship system in turn increased ancient people's confidence and courage in seeking more economic benefit from the ocean, which indirectly contributed to the development of the ocean economy. The conformity of the starting point and the end-result of the seagod worship in the "fantastic world" reflects the traditional Chinese ocean culture, even the pragmatism and rationalism of the traditional Chinese culture.