The Ritual and Mythology of the Chinese Triads: Creating an Identity

This monograph presents a thorough investigation into the phenomenon of the Chinese Triads, their ritual and mythological lore, and their meanings and functions. On the foundations of a wide variety of primary and secondary sources, among which also recent Chinese scholarship, the author interprets Triad myth and ritual in their Chinese religious context. The work includes fine discussions of Triad symbolism, initiation rituals, blood covenants, foundation myth, eschatology, political ideas and other topics. The origins of the Chinese Triads are newly interpreted, as well as the meanings and functions of their ritual and mythological lore, and how these fitted into local religious culture.