A Study of Custom and Religious Beliefs in Relationto Child-Bearing in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Ming-Hsiu Huang, 黃明秀
• Other Authors: Pao-Tsun Tai
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/74365643701469701042

碩士 === 國立臺北教育大學 === 台灣文化研究所 === 100 === This article started from analyzing the rituals of the birth etiquette, elaborating the folk etiquette of praying for a son and taboos, folklores, festivals as well as the practice and rituals in the wedding ceremoney and the taboos before giving birth, including baby raising after giving birth, the celebration of the first month of the baby, giving bath to baby on its third day, saliva collection etc. It also analyzed the contemporary changes on birth etiquettes. Besides, this article also explored the birth beliefs, discussing the situation of current worships of birth Goddess, such as Zhusheng Niangniang, Lingshui Madam etc., reflecting the multi-dimensional phenomenon of reproduction worship, exploring the common worships existing in Taiwan, such as Stone God, Tree God as well as the fertility Goddess of Hakka, Stone Goddess. Furthermore, through field interviews of five temples dedicated to the worship of Zhusheng Niangniang as the main Goddess and three temples in which Zhusheng Niangniang is worshipped as the accompanying Goddess, this article discussed the current worship situation in Taiwan. The rituals are classified into ordinary days and specific days for intensive study to understand the interaction of the beliefs with local society as well as their influence. By the means of information collection, this article analyzed the sayings and proberbs related to fertility in Taiwan, dividing them into three respects, namely, the wedding ceremoney, pregnancy and baby delivery; through the meaning of Min and Hakka’s sayings and proverbs, provided the overview of the birth etiquette and beliefs in civilian Taiwan. Finally, besides the data from the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, Executive Yuan and the Ministry of the Interior as well as the Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health etc. indicates that the phenomenon of low fertility rate, the never-married, and late marriages, this article also summarized and analyzed the viewpoints of present young parents on the birth etiquette and beliefs, exploring the relationship between the internet and beliefs and integrated it into the overview.