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Gwanje Belief in East Asia and the Modern Meaning of the Faithful(信義) spiritin

  • The Journal of Study on Language and Culture of Korea and China
  • Abbr : JSLCKC
  • 2022, (66), pp.277-303
  • DOI : 10.16874/jslckc.2022..66.011
  • Publisher : Korean Society of Study on Chinese Languge and Culture
  • Research Area : Humanities > Chinese Language and Literature
  • Received : October 10, 2022
  • Accepted : November 20, 2022
  • Published : November 30, 2022

Chen Lu 1

1대진대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Existing research on Gwanje(Guan di) belief is largely confined to the study of one region. In order to overcome this limitation, the current article reviews its history and present situation, exceeding the scope of East Asia. It is found that while there are some similar aspects between Korea and China in terms of Gwanje belief’s tradition, propagation, its divinity and believers, the differences from Southeast Asian countries and Japan can be easily witnessed. Primarily, Gwanje belief was naturally introduced to many East Asian countries, accompanying the Chinese immigration. On the contrary, it was imposed in Korea by improper external influence. Secondly, Gwanje belief was chiefly propagated among those at the bottom in Southeast Asian countries and Japan, whereas it was imbued and spread in a top-down way in both Korea and China. Thirdly, similar to China, Gwanje has been respected as the god of wealth in many East Asian countries. However, due to the existence of various religions, it does not serve the same role in Korean society. Last but not least, whilst Gwaje’s believers are comprised of overseas Chinese and ethnic Chinese in many countries, they are mainly constituted by the locals in Korea, usually with little influence.

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