Werner's compendium of Chinese mythology, inimitably described by the author himself as a "Who's Who of the Chinese Otherworld," has been a choice collector's item for many years. It was originally published in 1932 with the illustrious imprint of Kelly and Walsh of Shanghai. But like many another notable work in the field of Chinese studies brought out by this famous publishing house, Werner's volume has long been unavailable to numerous would-be readers and purchasers.
This stupendous work required nearly a half-century to compile, traces the major myths, superstitions, and beliefs that are found in Eastern literature, art and customs. Explains how the God of Happiness had his origin in an emperor's liking for dwarts...why Chinese children wear a cord around their necks...what incense means in the temple...and other fascinating aspects of Oriental imagination. In addition to Dr. Werner's witty and informative introduction, the book contains a special section on the pronunciation of Chinese words, a table of Chinese dynasties, and a bibliography. Alphabetically indexed, and cross-referenced.
E.T.C. Werner was painstakingly precise in his own work and acidly intolerant of shoddy scholarship. He demanded the maintenance of the highest academic standars. Catholic in his interests and richly imaginative and reflective, he was an omnivorous but discriminating reader as well as an eagle-eyed observer of the dramas of passing life. Scholars cannot but be impressed by the measured beauty of his English phrases. His Dictionary of Chinese Mythology is a work of literary art.
This stupendous work required nearly a half-century to compile, traces the major myths, superstitions, and beliefs that are found in Eastern literature, art and customs. Explains how the God of Happiness had his origin in an emperor's liking for dwarts...why Chinese children wear a cord around their necks...what incense means in the temple...and other fascinating aspects of Oriental imagination. In addition to Dr. Werner's witty and informative introduction, the book contains a special section on the pronunciation of Chinese words, a table of Chinese dynasties, and a bibliography. Alphabetically indexed, and cross-referenced.
E.T.C. Werner was painstakingly precise in his own work and acidly intolerant of shoddy scholarship. He demanded the maintenance of the highest academic standars. Catholic in his interests and richly imaginative and reflective, he was an omnivorous but discriminating reader as well as an eagle-eyed observer of the dramas of passing life. Scholars cannot but be impressed by the measured beauty of his English phrases. His Dictionary of Chinese Mythology is a work of literary art.
