It is believed that some of the best evidence of common beliefs in Han China were founded in the writings of Wang Chong (27 C.E. 100 C.E.) (1), an early Chinese philosopher who believed that the “world operated by spontaneous, natural development” (2) and that the idea of “lucky and unlucky days” was irrational. During his time, Wang had written a published book titled “Luheng,” which contained a series of critical essays with one being that of “Lucky and Unlucky Days.” Wang wrote this particular passage about the idea of “lucky and unlucky days” during the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), a time when Confucianism was at its peak and the Chinese believed that if unpromising days were not thought over when starting a project, sacrificing, or marrying, then the demons and spirits that one faces at that time would work their harm (1).
His main purpose when writing this passage and many of his other works was believed to be to influence not only the Chinese, but bordering countries who perceived China as the “idol” country (4), into removing the superstition around lucky and unlucky days. Wang wished to clear the atmosphere of the beliefs which so heavily influenced the Chinese culture during the Han dynasty, and enhance the critical and logical spirit which was already beginning to develop (3) in society. In this case, Wang wanted to cleanse the air of the idea that unlucky days were brought about as a result of not taking care to avoid ill-fated times (1). In order to do this, he strongly declared his argument that “Heaven takes no action. Natural events occur …show more content…
However, the most important idea we can take on board from the piece is the fact that we can’t avoid unlucky days no matter how much praying and planning we do, as natural events, lucky or unlucky, occur
His main purpose when writing this passage and many of his other works was believed to be to influence not only the Chinese, but bordering countries who perceived China as the “idol” country (4), into removing the superstition around lucky and unlucky days. Wang wished to clear the atmosphere of the beliefs which so heavily influenced the Chinese culture during the Han dynasty, and enhance the critical and logical spirit which was already beginning to develop (3) in society. In this case, Wang wanted to cleanse the air of the idea that unlucky days were brought about as a result of not taking care to avoid ill-fated times (1). In order to do this, he strongly declared his argument that “Heaven takes no action. Natural events occur …show more content…
However, the most important idea we can take on board from the piece is the fact that we can’t avoid unlucky days no matter how much praying and planning we do, as natural events, lucky or unlucky, occur