The Origin of Life
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Summary
Editor's review
The editor believes the book's value lies not only in popularizing knowledge but also in the cultural perspective it offers. With his deep historical scholarship, Professor Xiao Dongfa avoids simple lists of phenomena and instead digs into the ritual details and symbolic meanings of various customs (such as birth rites, coming-of-age ceremonies, weddings, and birthday celebrations), revealing the traditional Chinese wisdom of respect for life, family continuity, and harmony between humanity and nature. The book cites rich classical sources and field survey cases, giving the discussion both historical depth and contemporary relevance. For readers who wish to understand traditional culture, strengthen cultural identity, or engage in related research, this is a quality guide that is both readable and informative. It helps us understand that those seemingly elaborate rituals are in fact the ancestors' most solemn tribute to life and the embodiment of their simple philosophy.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in traditional Chinese folk culture, especially life rituals (birth, coming of age, marriage, and birthday celebrations)
- Those who wish to systematically understand the context of Chinese traditional culture and seek cultural roots and a sense of identity
- Beginners and enthusiasts in sociology, folklore, history, or related cultural research fields
- Readers who value family rituals and hope to find traditional humanistic nourishment for modern life
Not a good fit for
- Readers seeking novelty, highly entertaining folk tales, or mysterious legends
- Senior researchers expecting strictly academic monographs with in-depth textual research and theoretical analysis
Reading tips
- Reading in chapter order is recommended to build an overall framework for understanding the development of life rituals
- Readers may compare the content with their own or their family's experiences to appreciate how tradition evolves and echoes in modern times
- For specific rituals of interest (such as weddings), readers can read the relevant chapters closely and further consult the classical texts or local gazetteers mentioned in the book
About the publisher
Founded in 1982, Modern Press is a Chinese publisher that serves general readers across a diverse range of subjects. Judging from its catalog, its publishing focuses on classical poetry, Eastern philosophy, psychological research and application, popular science, and modern poetry, along with history, biography, and children's books. The Book of Songs, the illustrated vernacular edition of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, The Complete Poems of Dai Wangshu, and Buddhism in the Vegetable Roots reflect efforts to make traditional culture and poetry accessible; works by Carl Gustav Jung such as The Development of Personality and Understanding Your Psychological Type, together with titles from the Ivy International Education Alliance, show sustained attention to psychology and educational reading; and Stephen Hawking's works and the illustrated two-volume Brief History of Everything and A Brief History of Time indicate a commitment to popular science. Its authors include figures such as Qu Wanli, Xu Ke, Dai Wangshu, and Jung, and its publishing emphasizes retelling classics and accessible, illustrated presentation. Because public information is limited, this summary is based only on the titles in our catalog.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 序言
- 古老属相——十二生肖
- 传说玉皇大帝给动物排名次
- 干支纪时与生肖的寓意
- 十二生肖之首的子鼠
- 代表勤劳与朴实的丑牛
- 百兽之王的勇猛寅虎
- 内涵丰富的谨慎卯兔
- 浑身充满祥瑞的辰龙
- 代表兴旺与神秘的巳蛇
- 象征精神力量的午马
- 代表吉祥与和谐的未羊
- 机智而又灵巧的申猴
- 既报晓又驱灾的酉鸡
- 象征忠诚而善良的戌狗
- 代表幸福和富足的亥猪
- 祝福双全——寿诞礼俗
- 鹤发童颜的老寿星彭祖
- 张果老高寿和麻姑献寿
- 东方朔偷桃成长寿之祖
- 道教大脑门儿的拄杖寿星
- 献酒上寿开启寿礼先河
- 贺寿堂充满浓浓厚意
- 寿运的长寿面和寿宴
- 生日与祝寿的礼仪习俗
- 做九不做十的民间习俗
- 代表长寿的吉祥物件
- 寿联是高雅的祝寿礼品
- 完善的祝寿礼仪和过程
- 颂扬年高的吉祥百寿图
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About the author
Xiao Dongfa (1949–2016), whose ancestral home was Tianjin and who was born in Shenyang, was a professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Journalism and Communication, Peking University, and director of its Institute of Modern Publishing. An important scholar in editing and publishing studies, he focused on the history of Chinese books, publishing history, and yearbook studies. He edited the History of Chinese Editing and Publishing and Chinese Libraries of Book Collecting, and led the National Social Science Fund key project A General History of Chinese Publishing, laying a solid foundation for the organization and narration of Chinese publishing history. Beyond academic writing, he attended to Peking University's institutional history and humanistic traditions, writing works such as Character: From the Imperial University to Old Peking University, Exemplars: Former Residences and Anecdotes of Peking University Notables, and Scenes: Yanyuan Landscapes and Cultural Heritage, which recount campus memories and personal stories with warmth. His works also touch on the four treasures of the study, garden architecture, and academic writing standards. Some 491 of his titles are held in the library, spanning language and culture, biography, and architecture, and combining scholarly rigor with accessible readability.
Zhang Entai is a Chinese author with a notably wide range of subjects. Public information about him is limited, and his biographical details remain unclear. The library holds thirty-two of his works, spanning categories such as travel, inspirational growth, culture, biography, and essays. Books such as The Treasures of Ancient Pagodas show his interest in historic architecture and traditional cultural relics, while Di Zi Gui (Recitation Edition) and The Origins of Life: Birth, Zodiac and Birthday Customs indicate his engagement with classical primers and folk culture. Biographical works such as The Biography of Emperor Shizong of the Qing and Wang Yongqing show that he also writes about historical and business figures. Inspirational titles such as Have a Brave Heart and essay collections such as Scenery at the Forefront reflect an approach that combines popular knowledge with personal encouragement. Overall, Zhang Entai writes for general readers, emphasizing the transmission of cultural knowledge and reflections on life in a plain, accessible style.
