Chinese Journal of Sociology ›› 2019, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (2): 186-213.

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Princess Wencheng in Historical Writing: The Difficulty in Narrating Ethnic History in Multi-Ethnic China

WANG Juan1   

  1. 1. Department of Sociology, Peking University;
    2. Department of Sociology, Zhejiang University
  • Online:2019-03-20 Published:2019-03-20

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Abstract:

For a multi-ethnic political entity, whether it is an empire or a nation-state, the key to its survival is an inclusive order under which multiple ethnic groups with different heritages coexist peacefully. Historical writing on ethnic groups and interactions among them is an important part of this order. To demonstrate the point, this paper offers an examination of three different historical narratives of Princess Wencheng. In the first narrative from Chinese classical literature, Princess Wencheng was treated as an insignificant figure and the text paid much more attention to the ceremony of the “peace marriage” than Princess' individual traits. In the second narrative from Tibetan ancient literature, the treatment was quite different. Portrayed as the incarnation of Green Tara, a tantric deity in Tibetan Buddhism, the Princess supposedly possessed Goddess qualities and magic power. This striking difference reflects the different worldviews and ideal orders of the Chinese and Tibetan civilizations. The former reveals a system of “All Under the Heaven” with China as the single center; and the latter reflects the system of Buddhism with multiple centers. The coexistence of these two worldviews is a perfect expression of the diversity and inclusiveness of the imperial system. Shaped by the nationalist discourse during the first part of the 20th century, the third narrative retold Princess Wencheng's story in the new light of nationalism, hence, she was gradually transformed into a new role of a “transmitter of technology”. The paper offers a detailed analysis of this process and its deep meanings, and a critical comment on the historical writing under the guidance of the so-called “progressive historical viewpoint” since the late Qing. The conclusion discusses a theoretical explanation of the structural dilemma of nationalism and ethnicity in modern multi-ethnic China.

Key words: ethnic history, progressive view of history, historical writing, Princess Wencheng