Dual Stance Of Meaning Systems Of Folk Beliefs

Chinese folk beliefs have inherent meaning systems. In certain historical periods, the meaning systems of local folk beliefs may have two different stances, namely, official and folk stances. The official stance corresponds to the images of the gods, whereas the folk stance refers to the function scopes of the patronages of the gods and the value orientations that the gods represent. This article defines different expressions and the significance of the same object of folk beliefs as the dual stance of the meaning systems, with the legend of Liang-Zhu in Ningbo (a Chinese traditional opera of Butterfly Lovers) as an example.As a folk belief in Ningbo, the story of Liang-Zhu has meaning systems with an significant dual stance in its long history of development. The official stance establishes Liang Shanbo, who is a county magistrate, as an honest and upright official and regards him as a divine being who protects the public and maintains the orthodox regime. The image shaped officially represents the value of Confucian ethics. In the eyes of the people, Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai are star-crossed lovers. The folk stance regards Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai as the gods of love, who represent the pursuit of personal liberation for love. These two stances have fused into one in the long history of China, and Confucian feudal ethics took the initiative to integrate them in stealth and thus balance the dual stance of the meaning systems.With the legend of Liang-Zhu in Ningbo as an example, the effects of the state ideology on folk beliefs are investigated. This study is of great importance in exploring the characteristics of folk beliefs in concepts and ideas, as well as the relationship between the government administration and folk beliefs.