In Search of National Ancestors

Name: In Search of National Ancestors
Brand: Cambridge University Press
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

By Shu-Li Wang

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Description

This Element examines how international heritage discourses are internalized and reshaped in China, using the Yellow Emperor cults as a lens to explore broader themes of intangible heritage, religious resurgence, and identity construction. The central argument is that cultural heritage serves as a powerful tool for shaping new religious expressions and enabling Chinese localities to assert their uniqueness while redefining historical narratives. Through case studies of several localities across China, this research illustrates how these regions engage in heritage competition by branding themselves with Yellow Emperor culture to shape their identities. This study argues that the cult of the Yellow Emperor-a legendary figure-is empowered by nationalism, a local search for tradition and religious revivals, and is further amplified by international discourses that reinforce national identity through heritage-making. Together, these forces drive the resurgence of ancestral cults and contribute to cultural identity formation in contemporary China.

Product details

Number of Pages:: 82
Release Date:: 2025-05-31
Publication Date:: 2025-05-08
Publisher:: Cambridge University Press
Languages:: Original: English
ISBN10:: 1009582119
ISBN13:: 9781009582117
GPSR Manufacturer Reference:: [email protected]
Weight:: 283 g
Height:: 157 cm
Width:: 235 cm
Thickness:: 9 cm

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