The analysis of sociocultural importance of the Chinese traditional game “Promoting Officials”

Abstract

The subject of this research is an ancient Chinese board game “Promoting Officials” (Shengguan Tu), which has a history of more than a thousand years. Unfortunately, after the overthrow of the monarchical structure in 1911, this game gradually ceased to be played. The “Promoting Officials” can be referred to as the game of chance, and its rules remind of the modern game “Monopoly”. Two or more players take turns to roll the dice, which decide whether to move forward or step back. The winner is the one who first reaches the center, position tai shi – mentor of the emperor, grand preceptor. The relevance of this work is substantiated by the absence of research on this cultural phenomenon within the Russian science. The study is based mostly on authentic materials in the Chinese language. The author highlights the connection of the game with the historical era, social structure, hierarchy of state service, education and upbringing of youth, the Confucian doctrine prevalent in the Chinese society. The main conclusions consists in recognition that the board game “Shengguan Tu” played an important role in strengthening the cult of education among youth and regards to the government bureaucratic apparatus. This game also resembles the folk wisdom of the Chinese people.