A Wisdom Archive on Chinese Religion

From the earliest eras of Chinese history, Shang Di was officially worshipped through sacrificial rituals. During the earliest times of Chinese history He was also known as Di. Shang Di is believed to rule over natural and ancestral spirits, who act as His ministers. Shang Di is thought to be the Supreme Guide of both the natural order and the human order. The ruler of China in every Chinese dynasty would perform annual sacrificial rituals to Shang Di at the great Temple of Heaven in the imperial capital. During the ritual a completely healt ...

Read more here: » Shang Ti: Encyclopedia II - Shang Ti - Chinese Religion

Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year which has been designated the Year of the Monkey, 4701. The date is computed on the basis of the Chinese Lunisolar Calendar which harmonises both the lunar cycle and the solar year by incorporating astronomical observations of the phases of the moon and the apparent path of the sun.
 
The Chinese New Year is celebrated on the second new moon (lunar) after the winter solstice (solar). The winter solstice occurs when the apparent path of the sun reaches its lowest point on the horizon.

 
(See also: Chinese New Year, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Chinese New Year: Year of the Monkey  

Hell, as it exists in the Western popular imagination, has its origins in Hellenized Christianity, particularly taken from adaptation of the Hellenistic afterlife known as Tartarus. Judaism, at least initially, believed in Sheol, a shadowy existence to which all were sent indiscriminately. Sheol may have been little more than a poetic metaphor for death, not really an afterlife at all: see for example Sirach. However, by the third to second century B.C. the idea had grown to encom ...

Read more here: » Hell: Encyclopedia II - Hell - Origins

Culture of China - Education. Education in the People's Republic of China National College Entrance Examination Education in Hong Kong List of universities in Mainland China List of universities in Taiwan List of universities in Hong Kong Culture of China - Ethnic groups and regionalisms. List of Chinese ethnic groups Ethnic groups in Chinese history Overseas Chinese Culture ...

Read more here: » Culture of China: Encyclopedia II - Culture of China - Society

system of divination that uses yarrow stalks or coins Changes inscribed with hexagrams

 
(See also: I Ching, The Book of Chinese, Magic, Shamanism, Pagan Dictionary )

For more dictionary entries, see » Chinese Religion Dictionary

Chinese art has varied throughout its ancient history, divided into periods by the ruling dynasties of China and changing technology, as well as influenced by great philosophers, teachers and religion. Early forms of art in China were made from pottery and jade in the Neolithic period, to which was added bronze in the Shang Dynasty. The Shang are most remembered for their bronze casting, noted for its clarity of detail. Early Chinese music and poetry was influenced by the Book of Songs, Confucius and the Chinese poet and statesman Qu Yuan. Early Chinese m ...

Read more here: » Culture of China: Encyclopedia II - Culture of China - Arts