Polytheism Tendency in the Trend of Integration of the Three Major Religions: Worship of Silkworm Deity Art of Medieval China

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The research topic is interesting. The arguments have engaged with the scholarships. The author delivers a clear explanation to classify the silkworm deities and even does the comparison on the different images of the silkworm deity along the period. 

I only have one question. Does it appropriate to set the research timeframe on the "Medieval" time of China? The worship of silkworm deities exists before the Han dynasty and after the Yuan dynasty. Why only focus on the history of the Middles Ages? 

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 1 Comments：

I am very grateful to Reviewer for reviewing the paper so carefully. Thank you for your positive comments on my manuscript. I have carefully reviewed the comments and have revised the manuscript accordingly. My responses are given in a point-by-point manner below.

Point 1:Does it appropriate to set the research timeframe on the "Medieval" time of China? The worship of silkworm deities exists before the Han dynasty and after the Yuan dynasty. Why only focus on the history of the Middles Ages?

Response：Thank you for reviewer’s reminding，Since the Special Issue I submitted is "Religious Art of Medieval China", although the silkworm deity worship existed before the Han Dynasty and after the Yuan Dynasty, I need to focus my research on the Han and Yuan Dynasties. After the Yuan Dynasty, it was also an important period for silkworm deity worship. New changes were made on the basis of the rituals and features before the Yuan Dynasty. This theme will be reflected in my next stage of research.

Thank you again for your positive comments on my manuscript. Your comment is valuable and helpful for improving my research direction.

Best regards!
Yours sincerely,

Fei Ju

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The author needs to be consistent about references to the Shang period, and not use Yin.  Shang is the word for this dynastic period.  Correct Yin to read Shang.  In addition it is a pejorative to refer to Shang religion as primitive.  Shang religion furthermore is not based on animal figures.  It is based on spirit worship with zoomorphic characteristics.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2 Comments：

I am very grateful to Reviewer for reviewing the paper so carefully. Thank you for your positive comments on my manuscript. I have carefully reviewed the comments and have revised the manuscript accordingly. My responses are given in a point-by-point manner below.

Point 1:Shang is the word for this dynastic period.  Correct Yin to read Shang. 

Response：Thank you for reviewer’s reminding. As suggested, I have reworded the sentences，seeing Lines  328 and 331.

Point 2: In addition it is a pejorative to refer to Shang religion as primitive.  Shang religion furthermore is not based on animal figures.  It is based on spirit worship with zoomorphic characteristics.

Response：I agree with you that Shang religion furthermore is not based on animal figures.  It is based on spirit worship with zoomorphic characteristics. I have reworded the sentences，seeing Lines  329 and 330.

Thank you again for your positive comments on my manuscript. Your comment is valuable and helpful for improving my research direction.

Best regards!
Yours sincerely,

Fei Ju

Author Response File: Author Response.docx