Xuantian Heaven Emperor Belief Research

Based on the research done by previous scholars, the article dwellsupon the following aspects, with the main thread of the development ofXuantian Heaven Emperor belief: probe into the origin of XuantianHeaven Emperor belief and points out Xuantian Heaven Emperor belief isa product of celestial body worship, animal worship and water worship;discuss the relationship between the Xuantian Heaven Emperor belief andpolitics in the Ming Dynasty and points out the flourishing of XuantianHeaven Emperor belief in the Ming Dynasty results from the promotion bytheir rulers, esp, Emperor Ming Cheng Zhu; probe into the relationshipbetween Xuantian Heaven Emperor belief and civil secret society andtouch upon the influnce of Xuantian Heaven Emperor belief in civil secretsociety; discuss the relation between Xuantian Heaven Emperor belief andliterature and formatire arts, as well as elaborate the mutual influencebetween Xuantian Heaven Emperor belief and formatire arts. Meanwhile,focusing on the research of the relationship between Fujian and Tianwan,the article probes deeply into the spread, development, current situationand cultural exchange of Xuantian Heaven Emperor belief in both Fujianand Taiwan from the viewpoints of historical documents and field study.Based on the analysis on the materials available, the article points out theXuantian Heaven Emperor belief in Fujian Province dates back to theSong Dynasty and was spread to Taiwan between the end of the MingDynasty and the early period of the Qing Dynasty, analyses the reason ofthe dispute over Xuantian Heaven Emperor and MaZu in the QingDynasty and its influence upon Xuantian Heaven Emperor belief..According rich materials available from field study and the internet, thearticle gives an introduction to the current status of Fujian XuantianHeaven Emperor Temple, the belief and folk customs activities in Fujian,and a general introduction of Taiwan's Xuantian Heaven Emperor belief and its relevant activities during Japanese occupation of Taiwan and after Taiwan's liberation from Japanese control; Also, the article gives an introduction about the cultural exchange of Xuantian Heaven Emperor belief between Fujian and Taiwan and points out its great significance.