Abstract
This article examines the nature and dynamics of de-sanctification in Central Vietnamese folk
beliefs through certain rituals and magic practices related to Taoism. Adopting a qualitative research
approach, the study investigates the de-sanctification of worship, purification of impurities, and
dissolution of spiritual relationships with supernatural forces to gain insights into the nature and
dynamics of the sacred within the Central region's folk beliefs. This article highlights that the essence of
the sacred is grounded in the relationship between physical or human forms and supernatural forces, and
that de-sanctification is the act of changing or dissolving social links in folk religious beliefs. Through
analyzing the rituals and magic involved, the article not only showcases the influence of Taoism in folk
beliefs but also reveals their social function and role in providing spiritual security for the Vietnamese
people in the Central region.
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