In Search of National Ancestors Heritage, Identity and Placemaking in China

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.

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: Shu-Li Wang, Shu-Li (Institute of Ethnology Wang
• Editore: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Contenuto: Libro
• Forma del prodotto: Copertina rigida
• Data pubblicazione: 31.05.2025
• Categoria: Narrativa > Romanzi > Fiabe, saghe, leggende; Scienze sociali, diritto, economia > Scienze sociali, tematiche generali; Scienze umane, arte, musica > Storia > Preistoria e protostoria
• EAN: 9781009582117
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0958211-7
• Numero di pagine: 80
• Serie: Elements in Critical Heritage Studies
• Categorie: China, History, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Archaeology, Religion & beliefs, Archaeology, Myth & legend told as fiction, Religion and beliefs, History and Archaeology, Museology & heritage studies, Museology and heritage studies, Fiction: Traditional stories, myths and fairy tales