Asian Gothic Ghost Tales

Confucianism and Ghost Tales

Confucianism was one of the three major religions of China along with Taoism and Buddhism that influenced Chinese society.

Basically, Confucianism helped to enforce the patriarchy system of Asian society. Later, Confucianism would become popular in Thailand, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

In Pu Songling's "Strange Tales," the code of Confucianism motivates some characters to be more responsible toward society as they demonstrate their loyalties or need for social justice.

In China, the stories of Hwa Mulan and Wong Fei Kong, in a sense, helped to reinforce the rule of the patriarchy. An important part of Confucianism is xiao or filial piety.

Confucius (551-479 B.C.), the wise master, sought to maintain the ancient traditions and wrote "The Analects".

Filial piety was a key part, based on the relationships within society: ruler-subject, husband-wife, parents-children, older siblings-younger siblings, and friend-friend.

All of these relationships are based on right rule and obedience, except for the friend-friend, which is on an equal footing.

Places such as Taiwan celebrate Confucius' birthday as Teacher's Day when all teachers are respected for the efforts they put forth.

As Confucian became part of other nations like Japan and Korea, the social laws of matriarchy that once existed became suppressed as the rule of patriarchy became dominant.