[The Shape of the Turtle: Myth, Art, and Cosmos in Early China (Chinese Philosophy and Culture Series)] [By: Allan, Sarah] [February, 1991]

SUNY series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture

by Sarah Allan, Unknown Author

Many Chinese philosophic concepts derive from an ancient cosmology. This work is the first reconstructions of the mythic thought of the Shang Dynasty (ca. 1700- 1100 B.C.) which laid the foundation for later Chinese patterns of thought. Allan regards the myth, cosmology, divination, sacrificial ritual, and art of the Shang as different manifestations of a common religious system and each is examined in turn, building up a coherent and consistent picture. Although primarily concerned with the Shang, this work also describes the manner in which Shang thought was transformed in the later textual tradition.

Genres: China, History, Mythology, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Asia

Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Phillip · Rating 2 out of 5]

DIFFICULT READ EVEN AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT HIGHLY ACADEMIC NATURE OF PUBLICATION. JUXTAPOSITION OF GRAPHICS AND TEXT IS PARTICULARLY GIVEN COMPLEXITY OF SUBJECT MATTER. NOT QUITE SURE SHE EVER MADE HER EXCEPT FOR HER SUMMARY WHERE SHE FINALLY EXPLAINS HER ARGUMENT AND SHE JUST DEMONSTRATED ITS VALIDITY.

2.5 / 5.0

[Gavin White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sounded interesting and had some good reviews so I tried it. On the negative side, some of the arguments about Chinese characters and the identification of various early mythological figures with each other did make this book quite difficult at times. And like so many Western books on Chinese culture the Chinese signs are tiny - I had to use a magnifying glass - and my eyesight is still pretty good!
These were the negatives. I am glad to say they were outweighed by the positives. The book is full of innovation and new ways of looking at mythical material. The author explores several strands of Shang culture - art motifs, ritual, divination, sacrifice and cosmology - and weaves together a coherent model of the world view of the Shang period.
Even though very little mythology is present in Chinese literature (their religious practices were centred upon the tendance of the ancestors) the author shows that there was once a mythological framework involving mythical trees, 10 suns or sun-birds that incorporated the myth of origins of the Shang ancestors. The author argues that Chinese historians and writers from later times rationalised these mythic tales into pseudo-historical legends.
I will be reading this again and taking some notes! Excellent

[Latique · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read, but completely bogged down with the characters used for oracle bone divination and how they might represent more modern Chinese characters. The mythology and looking at images on vessels and what they might have represented is the best part of the book, but this is in the beginning and the end. Pictures and drawings really drive home the creatures that are being discussed in the text. Recommended reading for linguists interested in the evolution of Chinese characters, historians, anthropologists, archaeologists, and museum studies/material culture specialists that are interested in motifs found on Chinese vessels.