Book

The symbolism of popular Taoist magic

University MicrofilmsAnn Arbor, Mich. • Published In 1983 • Pages:

By: McCreery, John Linwood.

Abstract
This dissertation is a comprehensive study of the rites performed by a Taoist ritual specialist, Tio Sin-se*, who also functions as a curer, advisor, and diviner. McCreery first describes Tio Sin-se*'s background and preparation, his assistants and paraphernalia, the organization of his temple, and the characteristics of his clientele. There is an extended description of the rites performed by Tio Sin-se* and examination of them as manifestations of Taiwanese cosmology and ritual symbolism. McCreery argues that these rites constitute a structural system -- a series of models which are systematic transformations of one another -- and concludes by demonstrating their interrelations and their integration with general aspects of Taiwanese society.
Subjects
Magical and mental therapy
General character of religion
Cosmology
Sacred objects and places
Prayers and sacrifices
Purification and atonement
Revelation and divination
Ritual
Magic
Magicians and diviners
culture
Taiwan Hokkien
HRAF PubDate
1995
Region
Asia
Sub Region
East Asia
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
David Sherwood ; Marlene Martin
Field Date
1970-1971
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
Puli city, Nantou hsien, Taiwn
Notes
John Linwood McCreery
UM 74-6319
Includes bibliography
Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cornell University, 1973
LCSH
Taiwanese