Turtle Concealment
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Summary
The "gui" (turtle) in Gui Zang refers to oracle bone script and the cultural genes it carries. The title Gui Zang means, on its surface, discovering the stories hidden within the "turtle."
The book is divided into four parts—"The Double Life Behind Oracle Bone Script," "China in the Hetu and Luoshu," "The World of the Shang Kings and Diviners," and "Beautiful Yin-Shang: Where Have You Gone?"—and is illustrated with numerous images of both artifact-documentary and historical-artistic value.
Editor's review
The book's core value lies in the concept of "gui zang" it proposes: the author holds that the original text of the Classic of Mountains and Seas may be related to turtle-shell records used in sacrificial divination, and that behind its bizarre contents hides an ancient system of information storage and knowledge classification. This interpretation offers a wholly new and highly stimulating entry point for understanding this "heavenly book." The book's examinations of classic images such as the Torch Dragon, the Queen Mother of the West, and Kunlun are richly documented and tightly reasoned, making for refreshing reading.
As an editor, I find the reading experience lies between academic monograph and cultural essay. It does not offer easy mythological tales but leads readers on a serious intellectual expedition to touch the chaotic yet profound wisdom at the source of Chinese civilization. For readers intent on deeply understanding ancient Chinese thought and mythology, Gui Zang is a rare key; its value lies not in providing conclusions but in opening more doors worth questioning.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers with a strong interest in the Classic of Mountains and Seas and ancient mythology who are unsatisfied with surface stories and eager to understand its cultural core
- Researchers in literature, history, archaeology, or anthropology who need cross-disciplinary inspiration
- Cultural explorers who love tracing the origins of civilization and are curious about early Chinese thought, shamanism, and ritual
- Readers who appreciate nonfiction writing that combines rigorous scholarship with reasonable imagination
Not a good fit for
- Readers expecting plot-driven, entertaining mythological tales or fantasy fiction
- Readers with no interest in or patience for textual criticism, philological analysis, and other academic content
Reading tips
- Before reading, gain a rough familiarity with the original text of the Classic of Mountains and Seas (especially the Classic of Mountains), which need not be mastery but enhances the pleasure of cross-referencing
- The book involves many archaeological and paleographic terms; be patient, and consult reference works or search online as needed
- The book's views are one interpretation—highly stimulating but also controversial; read with an open, critical attitude and compare with other schools of research on the Classic of Mountains and Seas
About the publisher
Founded in 1994, Democracy and Construction Press organizes its publishing around economic management, the humanities and history, and united front culture, while also covering foreign literature and classic works. Among the 732 titles in the collection are translations of foreign classics such as The Brothers Karamazov and On War, fantasy literature such as The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: Illustrated Collector's Edition, and modern literary masterpieces including Lao She's Four Generations Under One Roof and Camel Xiangzi · The Problem of Nothing, and Lu Xun's Call to Arms. Translators Geng Jizhi and Wang Jinhua, together with authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien and Carl von Clausewitz, form the resource base for its combination of scholarly translation and general reading. As public information is limited, this description focuses on the publishing profile reflected in the titles held in the collection.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 自序
- 甲骨文背后的双面人生
- 1.儒士
- 2.文侠
- 3.遗臣
- 河图洛书里的中国
- 4.四方和中国
- 5.河图和洛书
- 商王和贞人的世界
- 6.商路和契约
- 7.生命和理想
- 美丽殷商：你去哪儿了
- 8.文字和文明
- 9.占卜和游戏
- 主要参考书目
FAQ
How does this book differ from common vernacular translations or story collections of the Classic of Mountains and Seas?
Can I understand this book without a background in archaeology or philology?
Are the book's conclusions credible?
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About the author
Liu Dichuan is a Chinese author known for books on culture and history. Public information about him is limited, and his nationality, dates of birth and death, educational background and personal experience are not clearly established. Three of his works are available in the collection: An Unofficial Biography of the Classic of Mountains and Seas, The Great Plague: Viruses, Destruction and the Struggle of Empires, and The Turtle Collection. These titles suggest that his writing centers on classical Chinese texts, mythological geography, the history of epidemics and material culture. He tends to combine textual research with narrative presentation, introducing general readers to the complex dimensions of history and culture. His subjects range widely, from the interpretation and transmission of ancient texts to the relationship between disease and imperial history. His books are both informative and readable, and should appeal to readers interested in traditional culture and historical questions.
