The author: Lives in the cultural province of Henan, near Luoyang, the Zhou capital.
Lu Ban: The Unclassifiable Engineering Master of Ancient China
2025-04-01Ancient Chinese Wisdom on Cognitive Overload
2025-04-05
1. Historical Context
- Period: Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE) to Warring States (475-221 BCE)
- Social Role: Court shamans, healers, and diviners
- Key Sites: Chu State (Hubei/Hunan) was the cultural center
2. Core Practices
| Practice |
Method |
Artifact Evidence |
| Divination |
Oracle bones (earlier), milfoil stalks |
Anyang oracle bone inscriptions |
| Healing Rituals |
Herbal medicine combined with spirit invocation |
Mawangdui medical texts |
| Curse Magic |
Poppet witchcraft (“蛊术”) |
Bamboo slips detailing anti-curse rituals |
3. Representative Figures
- No Named Individuals: Practitioners were typically anonymous court ritualists
- Legendary References:
- Shanhaijing mentions shamans Peng and Xian
- Chu poet Qu Yuan referenced shamanic practices in Nine Songs
4. Philosophical Influence
- Rejected by Major Schools:
- Confucianism: “Respect spirits but keep distance” (敬鬼神而远之)
- Daoism: Later absorbed some techniques but rejected dark magic
- Survival in Folk Religion: Evolved into Taoist exorcism traditions
5. Modern Rediscovery
- Archaeological Finds:
- Chu tomb bamboo slips detailing ritual calendars
- “Repelling Demons” manuals from Shuihudi
- Cultural Legacy:
- Influenced traditional Chinese ghost festivals
- Survives in rural “Nuo” exorcism dances
