A Study of the Ideas of Customs on Birth in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Wang Mei Fang, 王梅芳
• Other Authors: Wong Chun Wai
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/27798705920561209886

碩士 === 華梵大學 === 東方人文思想研究所 === 100 === This thesis aims at the study of the customs on birth in Taiwan based on the Han people in Taiwan. The traditional customs include the praying for a child and the celebrating ceremony of a grown-up. The Han society accentuates the importance of continuing the discordance, thus developing a special type of fertility rites. With the rapid transformation of the modern society, the customs on birth have been simplified and abandoned. Moreover, the advance of modern technology contributes to the concepts which deem the customs ridiculous, hence making them avoided. However, those customs on birth are invaluable treasures of the Taiwanese tradition, which should be preserved. This thesis records the customs on birth in Taiwan according to data analysis and field investigation. Revitalizing the establishment of the customs, this thesis intends to elaborate on the invisible significance and vales of the rituals. This thesis is divided into six chapters. Chapter one is the introduction, expounding the motivation, intention, research range, literature review, and research methodology and framework. Chapter Second mainly discusses the rites of praying for children, including the rites of praying for children before and after marriage, and childbirth-related gods. The third chapter consists of the pregnancy-related taboos, regulations, Fetal God, and taboos of perception. The fourth chapter is mainly about rituals after childbirth, inclusive of the confinement and new born gifts. In Chapter Five, we will discuss the rituals and taboos of childrear, including some religious ceremonies and the coming-of-age ceremony. Chapter Six is the conclusion of the thesis, made up of summaries and recommendations for future reference.