Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica

Topic: Poems for Diviners

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Michael Lackner (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg)

Time: February 19 (Monday), 2024, 10:00 a.m.

Moderator: Dr. Wen-yi Chen (Associate Research Fellow and Chief Coordinator of the History Department, IHP)

Location: 5F Conference Room, Museum of the Institute of History and Philology, IHP, Academia Sinica

Abstract: Following an inspiration by Prof. Liao Hsien-huei 廖咸惠 and based on the monumental collection published by Prof. Chang Yung-tang 張永堂, this talk deals with 9 poems for diviners written by eminent scholars of the Song and Yuan dynasties, including Su Shi 蘇軾 (1037-1101). They were intended as recommendations, but clearly reflect different attitudes towards the diviners’ profession. These poems, which are sometimes difficult to decipher due to various intimate allusions, show that the diviners were considered to be on the same level of erudition as the scholars.

Remarks: Registration is not required prior to the event. All are welcome to attend.