Abstract

As a popular global cultural phenomenon, the ghost culture is studied by scholars from the worldwide. This paper first presents that ghost culture is regarded as a kind of traditional culture which reflected in literary works, festivals and folk customs. Although Chinese and English ghost cultures have a certain similarity in definition, origin and function, Chinese and English have their own conceptual system and attitude towards ghosts due to the religions, histories and folk customs reasons. These differences of the ghost culture embodied in several aspects, like literary works, ghost festivals, horror films and also people’s daily life. This paper is going to analyze the differences and the similarities of Chinese and English ghost culture on definitions, origins and manifestations from the aspects of literary works and movies. It will also analyze the impacts of the ghost culture on ghost festivals, art forms and Film-television Industries.

Key words: Ghost culture; Chinese and English culture; Ghost images

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1  Introduction-1

2  Introduction of the Ghost Culture-2

2.1 Definitions of the Ghost-2

2.2 Origins of the Ghost Culture-2

2.3 Expressions of Ghost Culture in Chinese and English Daily Life-2

3  The Image of the Ghost-4

3.1 Vampire，Zombie & Jiangshi-4

3.1.1 Vampire and zombie-4

3.1.2 Jiangshi-5

3.2 Dragon & Loong-6

3.2.1 Dragon-6

3.2.2 Loong-6

4  The Impact of the Ghost Culture-8

4.1Ghost and the Festivals-8

4.1.1 Ghost Festivals in Chinese tradition-8

4.1.2 Ghost Festivals in English tradition-8

4.2 Ghost and the Art-9

4.3 Ghost and the Film-television Industry-9

5  Conclusion-11

Bibliography-12

Acknowledgements-13