Dispel the Illusions, Preserve the Truth

*Dispelling Myths, Preserving Truth* decodes the wisdom of our ancestors. Misrepresented images of the ancients, traditional culture stripped of its original meaning, distorted folk tales, muddled notions about ancient customs, and all manner of seemingly absurd folk sayings and taboos are waiting to be restored to their true form. This book offers a comprehensive look at traditional culture, from the meanings of lions and tigers and the symbolism of crows and magpies to the historical reality behind “men are superior to women”; from the reasoning behind everyday taboos such as “don't place your bed facing a window” and “pregnant women must not attend weddings or funerals” to the scientific basis behind “women mustn't wash their hair during postpartum confinement” and “don't drink water left overnight”; from the cultural meaning of “ten miles of wedding gifts in red” and the folk origins of “don't open an umbrella indoors” to the psychology behind “don't look in the mirror at night” and the story behind the misattributed saying “a woman's heart is the most poisonous,” as well as the cultural imagery of chrysanthemums and woodpeckers. Through lively explanations, the book lifts the veil of mystery from these traditions, seeking to “restore the truth of tradition and explore the wisdom of civilization,” and to pass it on. “Write about life, and seek spiritual happiness and fulfillment.” How much of the civilization our ancestors left behind do you know?