One Has His Own Destiny:People's Understanding of Success and Recognition in Imperial Examinations in the Ming Dynasty

With the establishing, developing and improving of the system of imperial examinations from Sui and Tang Dynasties onwards,being an official by taking part in imperial examinations had become a generally pursued ideal life pattern. The culture of imperial examinations, which focused on the systems, characters and stories about imperial examinations,became a unique part of traditional Chinese culture. According to the records and remarks about imperial examinations in the Ming Dynasty, it can be generally argued that with its compatibility in theory and flexibility in explanation, the traditional ideas of destiny, Ceomantic omen and retribution, which are theoretically comprehensive and flexible, are the major arguments to explain the phenomenon of achieving success and winning recognition in imperial examinations in the Ming Dynasty. This phenomenon results from the anxiety and helplessness caused by the competitive examinations as well as people's limitations in understanding of the society and nature.