Chinese CultureAt the time of “Yeh-Shen”

“It is time for this heroine’s Asian identity to be recognized and the evocative story motifs understood in their Asian contexts”

(Beauchamp 1)

What was the culture of Yeh-Shen, also known as Yexian?

Chinese culture

Ch’in and Han dynasties: 221 B.C.E.-220 C.E.

Saw the end of feudalism and the development of the imperial system

Focused on the practice of rites and ceremonies for the spirits

First Cinderella story written down in 950 A.D. but set during this time period

Dynasties!

Children were sometimes used as slaves “Polygamy was practiced among the

Zhuang [ancient Chinese people] in the late Tang Dynasty, and children were supposed to be treated equally” (Beauchamp 14).

Women enjoyed high status because of their ability to weave.

Freedom came with this status; they could pick their own husband!

Family life at the time

According to Beauchamp, “Yexian’s father was a leader to his group, the family appears marginalized economically, and Yexian’s menial work seems a harsh extension of a child’s workload” and then, “the story rewards Yexian by making her the first wife of a king, but it seems ambivalent about the founding of a divinely sanctioned royal line, and it does not value hierarchy, obedience, and duty” (472).

Family of Yeh-Shen

“Tuohan was an island country that sent embassies to Tang China in 645 and 648” (Jameson 1932:77-78).

The island could be modern day Sumatra.

Island Kingdoms

Map image source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/LocationSumatra.svg/800px-LocationSumatra.svg.png

Note how far it is from mainland China!

Fish have long been symbols of “abundance and wealth” in the Chinese culture

Fish in the Chinese Culture

The fish in the story is believed to be a red carp with golden eyes.

In a specific area of China, there are literally thousands of caves!

“inscriptions in the caves date from the Tang Dynasty” (Beauchamp 456).

Some scholars believe that “cave” in Chinese could simply mean a “sheltered location” (456).

Caves

Many of the Chinese subcultures had festivals where young men and women would mingle to find their mates…

Festivals…

Some researchers believe this being symbolizes ancestor worship

He could also represent either the dead father or the dead mother

His long hair? Symbol of a WITCH! (Beauchamp 456)

Can also be seen as a guardian figure

Wise old man from the sky…

“Chinese pavilions are covered structures without surrounding walls and are a traditional part of Chinese architecture” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_pavilion).

Pavilion

Central watchtower, architectural model, Eastern Han dynasty (25–220), 1st–early 3rd centuryChinaSource; http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1984.397

“Foot binding was seen as a sign of beauty and attractiveness” (Mao).

“also a symbol of identity and virtue” (Mao).

Small feet were considered beautiful.

Tiny feet as a symbol of beauty

Source: http://www.ispub.com/journal/the-internet-journal-of-biological-anthropology/volume-1-number-2/foot-binding-beauty-and-torture.html

“Kingfishers are native to watery Southwest China, including the Nanning area, and to Southeast Asia, where they were hunted in Cambodia to supply a Chinese market with feathers for jewelry” (Beauchamp 457).

What is a kingfisher?

Photo source: World Book Encyclopedia

How can a shoe with soles of solid gold enable her to walk “lighter than air”? ◦The answer: TRANSLATION ISSUES! The shoes were most likely embroidered with gold colored silk threads on the soles and heels.

The shoes!

Questions to think about:

◦How big of a role does the culture play in this story?

◦How could the story change for other cultures based on your understanding of cultural elements?

Culture and “Yeh-Shen”

Animal Symbolism - Chinese Customs: www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese.../animals_symbolism.htm

Beauchamp, Fay. "Asian Origins of Cinderella:The Zhuang Storyteller of Guangxi." Oral Tradition 25.2 (2010): 447-96. www.journal.oraltradition.org. Web. http://journal.oraltradition.org/files/articles/25ii/10_25.2.pdf .

Bolen, Eric G. "Kingfisher." World Book Student. World Book, 2012. Web. 19 July 2012.

“From Classic to Tradition: Ch’in and Han Dynasties”: http://www.npm.gov.tw/exh95/chinhan/brief_en.html

Mao, J. “Foot Binding: Beauty And Torture. “The Internet Journal of Biological Anthropology. 2008 Volume 1 Number 2. DOI: 10.5580/11bb

Works cited