Discovering Heavenly Mandate: Astrology, Numerology and Ancient Chinese Society

by: Yinong Huang (Author), Kai Xiao (Translator)

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Date: 2025-05-20

Language: English

Print Length: 501 pages

ISBN-10: 9819637996

ISBN-13: 9789819637997

Book Description

This book adopts a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating knowledge and techniques from disciplines such as astronomy and history. The purpose of astrological divination is to discern the will of the heavens, and its subjects are the ruling class or the entire social body of a nation. The selection of auspicious methods is aimed at seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, with its influence ranging from the imperial family to the common people. By comparing them with ancient Chinese textual records, it seeks to verify their authenticity. Based on this foundation, the book explores the origins of certain important astronomical events and divinatory behavioral patterns in ancient times, as well as the reasoning behind the actions of ancient Chinese people. Overall, this book provides significant inspiration and reference for scholars and researchers in the field of history of social astronomy in China and history of Sino-Western exchanges, in terms of ideas and research methodologies.

Editorial Reviews

This book adopts a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating knowledge and techniques from disciplines such as astronomy and history. The purpose of astrological divination is to discern the will of the heavens, and its subjects are the ruling class or the entire social body of a nation. The selection of auspicious methods is aimed at seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, with its influence ranging from the imperial family to the common people. By comparing them with ancient Chinese textual records, it seeks to verify their authenticity. Based on this foundation, the book explores the origins of certain important astronomical events and divinatory behavioral patterns in ancient times, as well as the reasoning behind the actions of ancient Chinese people. Overall, this book provides significant inspiration and reference for scholars and researchers in the field of history of social astronomy in China and history of Sino-Western exchanges, in terms of ideas and research methodologies.

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