The folk-lore of China : $b and its affinities with that of the Aryan and Semitic races

This volume gathers a series of scholarly articles that shine a light on China’s vast world of popular belief. Drawing from manuscript notes provided by consular officials and earlier contributions to the China Review, the author presents myths, superstitions, and rituals that have guided everyday life from emperors to laborers. The introductory essay situates these Chinese customs alongside well‑known traditions of the Aryan and Semitic peoples, inviting readers to see both the unique details and the shared human patterns that bind them.

The work aims to fill a notable gap in folklore studies, offering a compact yet thorough reference for anyone curious about how ancient Chinese tales echo across continents. By comparing motifs such as celestial omens, ancestor worship, and folk divination, it reveals striking parallels without claiming any single definitive lineage. Listeners will come away with a richer appreciation for the way ordinary people have historically understood the world around them, wherever they may have lived.