Legend of Luban

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: The Legend of Luban

Applicant: Qufu City, Shandong Province

Item No.: 531

Project No.: I-44

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: Folk Literature

Region: Shandong Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Qufu City, Shandong Province

Protected by: Qufu Cultural Center

The legend of Luban

Applicant: Qufu City, Shandong Province

Lu Ban is a synonym of Gongshu, a figure in the spring and Autumn period, whose deeds are recorded in Mozi. The legend of Luban has been popular among the people for thousands of years, and has derived rich themes and forms. There are many inventions and building legends related to Luban all over the country. Luban has become a representative of craftsmen who are well-known to women and children, and is regarded as the ancestor of many industries. It is an outstanding embodiment of folk wisdom.

The legend of Luban in Tengzhou area has formed a series, involving many aspects such as Luban's birth, learning skills, invention and creation, becoming a God, and becoming a founder of all trades. There are as many as hundreds of them. They are one of the representatives of the folk legend of Luban.

The legend of Luban in Qufu area can be roughly divided into the following aspects: The Legend of woodworking tools, represented by the legend of ink bucket, saw, planer, etc.; the legend of the invention of living utensils, represented by the legend of stone mill; the legend of architecture, represented by the legend of "fish carrying beam and earth mound Pavilion" and "nine beams, ten eight columns, seventy-two ridges"; the legend with mythological color, represented by the legend of "Luban" Banye Xianling and Luban brothers and sisters compete to build Zhaozhou Bridge are the most famous.

As a well-known character legend of the Chinese nation, the legend of Luban not only has the academic significance of folk literature itself, but also has high ideological value, artistic value and scientific value. It is a rare precious cultural heritage of the Chinese nation.

Under the impact of modern media, the folklore relying on word of mouth is very fragile, so it is urgent to protect the legend of Luban.