Ancient Chinese novels and folk religions —an analysis of the White Lotus and the Eight Trigrams Order

Abstract

This article traces the relationship between ancient Chinese novels and folk religions. Also this article will show how folk religions spread using the White Lotus Order and the Eight Trigram Order as two examples. The author draws the following conclusions. Firstly, as popular literature , ancient novels have a kind of natural connection with folk religions; secondly, the novels involving folk religions featured stories of persecution from feudal rulers; thirdly, when novelists write about the spread of folk religions, they often obscure the true nature of religions; fourthly, the connection between ancient novels and folk religions is incredibly complex.

Keywords

ancient Chinese novel, folk religion, White Lotus Order, Eight Trigrams Order