The Study Of The Zheng He’s Worship Phenomenon From The Perspective Of Folk Culture

Researcher has always been studied on Zheng He from the perspective of politics and history, rather than the perspective of folk culture and popular literature in examine the worship phenomenon of Zheng He, which is an unique cultural phenomenon. The study of the worship phenomenon of Zheng He in the areas of folk culture is in its infancy, there are areas for improvement. Zheng He evolved from historical figures into the deities and legendary figures of China and Southeast Asia, and into the local folk belief, it becomes the formation of an unique faith and cultural phenomenon, as a summary, the worship phenomenon of Zheng He.This research focuses on the worship phenomenon of Zheng He in China and Southeast Asia, and to study on the relationship between "The Romance of Admiral Zheng He’s voyages to the West Ocean" and the worship phenomenon.This article is divided into four chapters:The first chapter summaried and analyzed the Zheng He’s worship phenomenon monuments and temples at Fujian Changle City, Fujian Hongjian Village, Nanao Island in Guangdong and Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia.The second chapter summarized and analyzed the Zheng He’s legends in China and Southeast Asia. Based on the above, the third chapter focuses on analysis of the Origin and Evolution of Zheng He worship phenomenon at China and Southeast Asia, and comparative analysis of the differences. Through the comparative analysis, this research create an in-depth understanding of gods of Zheng He in the folk belief functions and symbolic function among the Chinese, and to explore the relationship between the legends image of Zheng He with Zheng He worship phenomenon.The fourth chapter discusses the influence of the "The Romance of Admiral Zheng He’s voyages to the West Ocean," a book by Luo Maodeng on Zheng He’s Worship phenomenon. This paper argues about the images and fictional of Zheng He; the translation of the book, adapt and widespread of this writing in Southeast Asian, are associated with Zheng He’s worship phenomenon.