Intangible Cultural Heritage and Self-Healing Mechanism in Chinese Culture

As the Chinese have steadily improved their material lives over the past half century, they have also experienced a transition of cultural lifefrom confusion to self-awareness and self-confidence. The current Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) movement has doubtlessly provided an important opportunity for such a transformation. What emerged from this process is an example of a cultural self-healing mechanism in Chinese culture: during cultural conflicts and interactions, fundamental Chinese beliefs and values arose as the basis for tolerance, co-existence, integration, and the creation of new cultures. The vitality of Chinese culture lies in this mechanism, which is based on a polytheist cosmology and inclusive ethical values. This article examines this mechanism in the current context of historical and global changes. If viewedfrom the perspective of its dynamic self-healing mechanism, Chinese culture is full ofpromises. Conversely, if viewed solelyfrom the modernist monotheist beliefand values, it could be facing imminent crises. Using examples from history and everyday practice, this article argues that the concept of a cultural self-healing mechanism is essential to understand not only the continuity of Chinese culture, but also the production and development of human cultures more broadly.