| There are various folk beliefs among the Chinese people. At present, the related researches on folk beliefs are distributed in multiple disciplines, regions and objects of study. Therefore, the adoption of various angles taken in the study, research models and the academic standpoint might lead researchers to get relevant distinctive and distinguished research results. In the county of Neiqiu of Hebei province, "Pao Gong" is a massive ritual of ceremony hold in the county fair. But there are still no valid researching articles written by the researchers studying on the folk-custom. Through investigations and researches, the author of the article found out that besides the common characteristics that are common in the folks'beliefs of Han nationality, this ritual also has its unique features, which could be reflected by its gestures and ritual words. This paper will take certain events from the county fair and villages in Neiqiu County as the object of the study. The significance embodied in "Pao Gong" is to be exposed from the standpoint of Folklore-Study. With related theories of the study of Folklore and Religion, and based on the field survey, this paper aims to analyze the status quo of "Pao Gong", and its characteristics, practices, functions and etc. This paper consists of five chapters:The first chapter is the part of introduction, which involves the purpose, significance, and methodology of the research.The second chapter is about "Pao Gong" and its motif. The author finished the paper based on investigations and surveys targeting the county fairs and villages. This chapter explains the gist and existing form of "Pao Gong" as a ritual, and the relation between the ritual and county fair,Cha Peng. Also analyzes the its important topics of "Pao Gong".The main point including "Cui Gong","Fa Gong","Yao Gong","Bang Gong","Chuan Gong","Jiao Gong","Xin Gong","Zhen Gong","Huang Gong" and so on.The third chapter explains the specific gestures, utensils of "Pao Gong" and the wording in "Shuo gong" are to be analyzed in this part, which would be the core part of the thesis.On this basis,also compared with other related research.The fourth chapter is about the folk practice which is also a key part of the thesis. The author has tried to probe the related functions of "Pao gong" based on the case-study and certain theories. As a ceremony ritual among the folk, "Pao Gong" has been attached with people's pray and hope. It's been implemented as a ritual for rain-praying, evil-elimination, son-giving and etc. This is the important folk foundation why the "Pao Gong" has been actively existing now, also it is the manifestation of its function.The fifth chapter is about the latent function of "Pao Gong", the latent functions of "Pao Gong" make it become a balance beam to coordinate the relationship between man and god, man and society, and man and the other. Within the certain extent,it specially performs in:it has been the important way which divides the order and maintain the structure within populations; "Pao Gong" is also the special mean for the people to flatter the God, and that connects with the people and the God; Meanwhile, the ritual has been the channel for the people to express social emotions and aspirations. |
