About me
Title:
"The Medicine King Migrated Westward": Beliefs, Medicine, and Market Space of the Temple of Medicine King in Tengchong, Yunnan from the Ming and Qing Dynasties to the Republic of China
Abstract:
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, most of the Temples of Medicine King (Yaowang药王) were located in northwest and north China, but there was a Yaowang Palace in Tengchong(腾冲), Yunan(云南) province located in the southwest border. Although Yaowang Palace was built by doctors from Jiangxi who migrated west with the army in 1626, based on the Taoist Qingwei Palace(清微宫), it gradually integrated original medical and local resources. The influence of central cultural dynamics was vivid by the expansion of the Five Emperors Tower after the Qing conquest in 1725. Then it was rebuilt by the famous local doctor Ming Yulang(明于朗) rebuilt it in 1887, which was part of a local charity. During the Republic of China period, Yaowang Palace became a gathering place for the Medical Association and pharmaceutical merchants. The election of the Medical Association and the evaluation of the qualifications of Chinese medicine doctors were held here. As the infrastructure expanded, so did its network encompassing beliefs, medicinal economy, and the trade in medicinal materials, consolidating as a hub that symbolized local culture "Teng medicine". This convergence attracted doctors, pharmacists, local officials, and the gentry, reflecting how outsiders integrated into the local area. At the same time, local officials also utilized diverse resources to bolster regional identity. Therefore, the Temple of Medicine King evolved into a space where external influences fused with local elements, enhancing the commercial and social significance of the area.
