Year: 2025
Type: book-review
Abstract: Genealogies, alongside local chronicles and official histories, constitute a significant pillar in the development of Chinese historiography.Beyond their historical value, genealogies also serve as a primary means for overseas Chinese communities to trace their ancestral roots, rendering them invaluable documentary resources within contemporary global Chinese diasporas.This review aims to discuss the scholarly contribution and systematic advancement provided by Wang Heming's The General Theory of China's Genealogy to the field of Chinese genealogy.Published by Springer in 2023 as part of the Translation Project of Chinese Fund for the Humanities and Social Sciences, The General Theory of China's Genealogy transcends a simple exploration of lineages.It delves into the rich cultural and historical significance of Chinese genealogies, offering a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike.The book consists of three parts, two appendices, and a postscript.Part I serves as an introductory outline, laying the groundwork for subsequent discussions on definitions, types, history, and value of genealogy.Part II and Part III constitute the main body of the book, while the appendices include a list of genealogy websites and a table of Chinese dynasties.The postscript offers the author's reflection and summary on their involvement in genealogical research, particularly in the book's composition.Part II (chapters 2-9) comprises chronological studies examining the developmental trajectory of Chinese genealogy from a vertical perspective.Chapter 2 delves into its origin stage, spanning from matriarchal society to the Shang Dynasty, analyzing primitive genealogical forms such as oral and knotted rope genealogies, as well as more advanced forms like oracle and bronze genealogies of the Shang Dynasty.Chapter 3 explores the birth of Chinese genealogy during the Zhou Dynasty and its subsequent development in the Han Dynasty.Chapters 4 and 5 examine the flourishing of Chinese genealogies, marking a golden age spanning from the Wei, Jin, Southern, and Northern Dynasties to the Tang Dynasty.Unlike genealogists of earlier periods, those of the Tang Dynasty not only oversaw the compilation of official genealogies but also actively engaged in the creation of private ones.This pivotal era of the Tang Dynasty served as a crucial bridge between the past and future in the evolution of Chinese genealogy.
Author: HE Jun
Institution: China University of Petroleum, Beijing
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4409275435