- A Study on the Social and Political Perceptions of Women and Their Impacts
on the Nüwa Deity’s Narratives and Portrayals in China
Awards
Author(s):
- Xin Le Ng
Email:
- XNG047@e.ntu.edu.sg
Category:
- Art History & Theory
Institution:
- Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Region:
- Asia
Winner Category:
- Regional Winner
Year:
- 2022
Abstract:
- How might myths function as a reflection of societal beliefs, politics, and paradigm shifts? This interdisciplinary paper tracks the development of the Nüwa mythology in China during the Han and Tang Dynasties, through a combined analysis of both textual records and visual representations on funerary banners. Initial research on existing literature suggests two primary pitfalls: first, literary and artistic representations of Nüwa are often studied in isolation despite obvious correlations; second, few non-Chinese writers have written on this topic, making it inaccessible to non-Chinese speakers and readers. Consequently, the paper seeks to address these gaps. It theorises that ideological developments, specifically the rise of Confucianism, and Empress Wu’s political achievements, directly impacted the way Nüwa was perceived and represented. Her initial status as a primordial female deity, credited with the creation of the world and infant humanity, justifies and indeed necessitates a gendered perspective. Orally and textually, Nüwa’s gradual loss of autonomy and independence is evidenced by the conflation of her myths with male deities such as Fuxi and Pangu; visually, she first becomes equalised with Fuxi and later subordinate to Pangu. Finally, the paper concludes that myths are inextricably linked to historical sociopolitical developments, and posits that Nüwa’s re-emergence in contemporary art might likewise be socially motivated in relation to the detrimental impacts China’s one-child policy. Thus, it seeks to encourage further discussion on the sustained relevance of traditional myths in today’s art and literary scene.
Attached Documents: