Society and culture of the Han dynasty: Difference between revisions

[[File:QueenMotherOfTheWest-Earthenware-EasternHanDynasty-ROM-May8-08.png|thumb|right|Earthenware figurine depicting the [[Queen Mother of the West]], 2nd century CE, Eastern Han period]]

[[File:Feathered men depicted in the stone relief of the Han Dynasty unearthed in Xinjin, Sichuan Province.jpg|thumb|Han dynasty relief of [[Xian (Taoism)|Winged Immortals]] playing [[Liubo]].]]

After Huang-Lao thought became eclipsed by other ideologies explaining the cosmos during the 2nd century BCE, the sage philosopher Laozi replaced the Yellow Emperor as the ancestor and originator of the teachings of [[Daoism]].<ref name="loewe 1994 128 129"/> As written by Wang Chong in the 1st century CE, Daoists were chiefly concerned with obtaining [[immortality]].<ref name="hansen 2000 144">Hansen (2000), 144.</ref> Valerie Hansen writes that Han-era Daoists were organized into small groups of people who believed that individual immortality could be obtained through "[[Science and technology of the Han dynasty|breathing exercises, sexual techniques, and medical potions]]."<ref name="hansen 2000 144"/> However, these were the same practices of Daoists who followed [[Zhuangzi (book)|Zhuangzi]] (fl. 4th century BCE) centuries before.<ref name="hansen 2000 137">Hansen (2000), 137.</ref> The Han-era Chinese believed that the [[Queen Mother of the West]] ruled over a mountainous realm of immortal semi-human creatures who possessed [[elixir of life|elixirs of immortality]] that man could utilize to prolong his life.<ref name="csikszentmihalyi 2006 116 117">Csikszentmihalyi (2006), 116–117.</ref> Besides the Queen Mother's mountain to the west, [[Mount Penglai]] in the east was another mythological location where the Han-era Chinese believed one could achieve immortality.<ref>Loewe (2005), "Funerary Practice in Han Times," 101–102.</ref> Wang Chong stated that Daoists, organized into small groups of hermits largely unconcerned with the wider laity, believed they could attempt to fly to the lands of the immortals and become invincible pure men.<ref name="hansen 2000 137"/> His criticism of such groups is the best known source of his century to describe Daoist beliefs.<ref name="hansen 2000 137"/> However, a major transformation in Daoist beliefs occurred in the 2nd century CE, when large hierarchical religious societies formed and viewed Laozi as a deity and [[prophet]] who would usher in [[salvation]] for his followers.<ref name="hansen 2000 144"/>