Xiao Yu

(Yamaguchi University, Graduate School of East Asian Studies)

Abstract：

This paper aims to delve into the cultural motivations of "Chinese-style Horror" from an anthropological perspective, focusing on "repressed traumatic pasts" and "broken taboo order" as the core components of Chinese-style horror. It integrates anthropologist Mary Douglas's "Purity and Danger" theory with Radcliffe-Brown's "Structural Functionalism" theory to analyze the intrinsic social and cultural constructions. The study reveals that the "spirits" in Chinese horror are not external "enemies," but entangled repressions within the space. The violation and disruption of taboos in Chinese horror tradition are not merely behavioral prohibitions but also involve deep representations of social structure and cultural values. These elements together constitute the underlying logic of Chinese-style horror. Douglas’s theory aids in understanding how Chinese horror utilizes taboo concepts to construct social order, while Radcliffe-Brown’s structural functionalism reveals how these horror elements serve as tools for social cohesion and cultural inheritance. This research not only offers insights into the horror phenomena within specific cultures but also enriches the application scope of anthropological theories.

Key Words：

anthropology; "Chinese-style Horror"; folk culture; taboo concepts