Entwining Between State, Society and the Sacred: City God Folklore in Shanghai and Suzhou
Entwining Between State, Society and the Sacred: City God Folklore in Shanghai and Suzhou

Summary/Abstract: Taking the City God 城隍 (Chenghuang) Temples in Shanghai and Suzhou as case studies, this research draws on ethnographic fieldwork, participant observation and semi-structured interviews to examine how City God folklore mediates relations among state power, local society and the supernatural order in China. It argues, first, that the City God cult functions not only as a religious phenomenon but also as an instrument of governance. City Gods are typically deified former high-ranking officials. Through oral and written narratives as well as ritual practices, this cult projects bureaucratic authority into the supernatural realm and reinforces the legitimacy of the judicial order through its associated belief system. It also fosters the internalization of moral discipline by disseminating the doctrine of karmic retribution. This research further demonstrates that the City God cult plays a significant role in the formation of local communities. As former mortals, often virtuous officials or heroes remembered for their contributions in times of crisis, City Gods earned popular devotion during their lifetimes and were later transformed into divine figures. In this process, their bonds with local society are not only preserved but also ritualized and inscribed into collective memory, thereby strengthening enduring emotional ties within the community.

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