A Comparative Study on Lilit Phra Lo and Butterfly Lovers: Symbols andRepresentation of Ideologies in Thai and Chinese Socio-cultural Perspectives

Abstract

China and Thailand share similarities and differences in culture and tradition. Folktales are a form of human wisdom that reflects the Chinese and Thai worldviews, which often arise from the imagination combined with beliefs and accumulation of experiences passing down from one generation to another and convey ideological and religious dimensions that shape the social structure and cultural perspective. The primary goals of this study are to examine symbols and the representation of ideological and belief systems in Thai and Chinese society through Lilit Phra Lo and Butterfly Lovers and to explore the similarities and differences of the socio-cultural context in terms of ideological perspectives and religious influence. This study applied qualitative method by collecting secondary data and related research via documents and analytical descriptions of the socio-cultural context using purposive sampling. A content analysis approach was applied to analyze and discuss symbols, representations of ideologies, and belief systems in the selected sample. The result found that Lilit Phra Lo represents a syncretism of animist beliefs, supernatural power, Buddhism, and Hinduism forming social norms, morals, and culture. Butterfly Lovers reflects the elements of Confucianism and Taoism, the core of traditional Chinese society. Both tales play a significant role in reflecting ideologies and belief systems and shaping the cultural values in Thailand and China. According to analysis, Thailand and China are collectivist societies. The similarity is people in both countries respect their elders and obey their parents. However, there are several differences in the influence of ideologies and religions due to social and cultural contexts. Additionally, the two tales conveyed inequality and implications of gender hierarchy under a patronage system and a patriarchal society.

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