Body, Cosmos, and Ritual in Local Taoism Since the Qing Dynasty

The Chart of the Taoist Rituals of Lord Lao in the Border Region of Hunan and Jiangxi Provinces

Bibliographic Data

ID3344536
AuthorsNengchang Wu (Fudan University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume16
Issue7
Pages939
Publication date2025-07-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel16070939
OpenAlexW4412519840
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited4

This paper discusses the Chart of the Taoist Rituals of Lord Lao, or "chart of Lord Lao" for short, a document drawn up, preserved, and utilized by a local Taoist altar in the border region of Hunan and Jiangxi provinces in southeastern China. This chart illustrates the body of the Most High Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun), with various parts labelled with sacred spaces, deity names in textual form, and ritual instructions. As such, the document elucidates the interconnectedness between the body, cosmos, and rituals within local Taoist beliefs. This article aims to analyze the chart of Lord Lao by comparing it with ritual texts, the liturgical tradition of the Taoist altar, and texts from the Ming dynasty Taoist Canon. Through this analysis, it becomes evident that the chart of Lord Lao and its associated practices reflect an intricate relationship between different layers of Taoist traditions. This includes the connections between classical Taoism and the emerging ritual traditions of exorcism during the Song and Yuan dynasties, as well as the interplay between these emerging traditions, such as the Correct Rites of the Heart of Heaven, and more local traditions of exorcism, such as the Rites of Mount Lü

Ancient history · Archaeology · Art history · Buddhism · Chart · Geography · Taoism · Chinese history and philosophy · History

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access