China's Living Houses: Folk Beliefs, Symbols, and Household Ornamentation

It has been said that for the Chinese "a house is a living symbol", one endowed with meaning and the result of conscious action. This text reveals dwellings as the dynamic entities that express the vitality of Chinese families as each journeys through life. Ronald Knapp argues that the spaces and structures that comprise dwellings throughout China are replete with striking meanings, echoing the most fundamental aspects of Chinese culture. This book explores the complex links among folk beliefs and household ornamentation across time, space and social class.