Zhoudai de xinyang: tian, di, zuxian 周代的信仰: 天、帝、祖先: Luo Xinhui 羅 新慧, (The Beliefs in the Zhou Dynasty: Heaven, God, and Ancestor). Shanghai: Shanghai guji chubanshe, 2023. 657 pp. RMB 198 (hardcover). ISBN 978-7-5732-0570-4

RELIGIOUS thought; SUPERNATURAL beings; ANCESTOR worship; RULING class; RELIGIOUS differences

Luo Xinhui's book "The Beliefs in the Zhou Dynasty: Heaven, God, and Ancestor" challenges the traditional narrative that Chinese culture was rationalistic and humanistic, devoid of significant religious beliefs. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of core religious concepts during the Zhou dynasty, exploring the evolution of beliefs in Heaven, the High God, and ancestors over different time periods. By integrating new archaeological and paleographic data, the author reveals a diverse and complex religious landscape that was intertwined with politics and social structures. The study offers methodological insights into early Chinese religion and emphasizes the importance of examining religious conceptions among different social actors for future research. [Extracted from the article]