Chinese mythology is a collection of cultural history, folktales, and religions that have been passed down in oral or
written form. There are several aspects to Chinese mythology, including creation myths and legends and myths concerning the founding of Chinese
culture and the Chinese state. Like many mythologies, some people believe it to be at least
in part a factual recording of history.
Historians have conjectured that the Chinese mythology began in 12th century B.C.. The myths
and the legends were passed down in oral format for over a thousand years, before being written down in early books such as
Shui Jing Zhu and Shan Hai Jing.
Other myths continued to be passed down through oral traditions such as theatre and song, before being recorded in the form of
novels such as Fengshen Yanyi.
Records of Myths
A number of works record ancient Chinese mythology in their settled forms. Most myths extant today are derived from their
recording in these works.
- Shan Hai Jing - Literally Mountain and Sea Scroll, the Shan Hai
Jing describes the myths, witchcraft, and religion of ancient China in great detail and
also has a record of the geography, sea and mountains, history, medicine, customs, and ethnicities in ancient times. It has been
called an early encyclopedia of China. In Wu Chinese, "talking about the Shan Hai
Jing" is an idiom meaning gossip or idle chat.
- Shui Jing Zhu - Literally Commentaries on the Water Scroll, this work
began as commentaries on the briefer work of the Water Scroll, but became famous of its own accord because of its
extensive record of geography, history, and associated legends.
- Hei'an Zhuan - Epic of Darkness Literally
Epic of the Darkness, this is the only collection of legends in epic form preserved
by a community of the Han nationality of China, namely, inhabitants of the Shennongjia mountain area in Hubei, containing accounts from the birth of
Pangu till the historical era.
- Imperial historical documents and philosophical canons such as Shangshu,
Shiji, Liji, Lüshi Chunqiu, and others.
Some myths survive in theatrical or literary formats, as plays or novels. Important mythological fiction which is seen as
definitive records of these myths include:
Myths and Legends
Creation myths
A unique characteristic of hibi hobi Chinese culture is the relatively late appearance in Chinese literature of creation
myths. Those that do exist appear well after the foundation of Confucianism, Taoism, and Folk Religions. The stories exist in
several versions, often conflicting, with the creation of the first humans being variously ascribed to Shangdi, Heaven, Nuwa, Pangu, Yu Huang. The following presents common versions of the creation
story in roughly chronological order.
Nuwa and Fuxi represented as half-snake, half-human creatures.
- Shangdi (上帝), appearing in literature probably earlier than 700 BC (the dating of
these occurrences depends on the date of Oracle Bones and the Shujing, aka "Book of Documents"). There are no "creation" oriented narratives for Shangdi, although
the role of a creator is a possible interperatation. Although Shangdi appears to have the attributes of a "person", detailed
references to Shangdi as the creator are not explicitly identified until about the Warring States Period.
- Tian (天, or Heaven), appearing in literature probably about 700 BC, or earlier (the
dating of these occurrences depends on the date of the Shujing, aka "Book of
Documents"). There are no "creation" oriented narratives for 'Heaven', although the role of a creator is a possible
interperatation. The qualities of 'Heaven' and Shangdi appear to merge in later literature (and are worshipped as one entity
("皇天上帝") in, for example, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing). The extent of the distinction (if any) between them is debated. The sinologist Herrlee Creel proposes that an analysis of the Shang oracle bones shows Shangdi preceded 'tian' as a deity, and that Zhou Dynasty authors replaced
the term Shangdi with tian to cement the claim of their
influence.
- Nüwa (女媧), appearing in literature no earlier than about 350 BC, is said to have
recreated, or created humanity. Her companion was
Fuxi (伏羲), the brother and husband of Nuwa. These two beings are sometimes worshipped as the
ultimate ancestor of all humankind. They are often represented as half-snake, half-human creatures. Nüwa was also responsible for
repairing the sky after Gong Gong damaged the pillar supporting the heavens (see below).
- Pangu (盤古), written about 200 AD by the Daoist author Xu
Zheng, was a later myth claiming to describe the first sentient being & creator.
- Yu Huang (玉皇, or Jade Emperor), including
representations such as Yuanshi Tianzun (元始天尊), Huangtian
Shangdi (皇天上帝), appear in literature well after the establishment of Taoism in China.
Three August Ones and Five Emperors
-
Following on from the age of Nuwa and Fuxi (or cotemporaneous in some versions) was the age of the Three August Ones and Five
Emperors (三皇五帝), a collection of legendary rulers who ruled between c. 2850 BC to
2205 BC, which is the time preceding the Xia
dynasty.
The list of names comprising the Three August Ones and Five Emperors vary widely between sources (see Three August Ones and Five Emperors for other versions of the list). The version in
the widest circulation (and most popularly known) is:
- The Three August Ones:
- Fuxi (伏羲) - The companion of Nuwa.
- Shennong (神農) - Shennong, literally meaning "Divine Farmer", reputedly taught the ancients
agriculture and medicine.
- Huang Di (黄帝) - Huang Di, literally meaning, and commonly known as, the "Yellow
Emperor", is often regarded as the first sovereign of the Chinese nation.
(Source: Shangshu (尚書))
- The Five Emperors:
- Shaohao (少昊) - Leader of the Dongyi or "Eastern Barbarians";
his pyramidal tomb is in present-day Shandong province.
- Zhuanxu (顓頊) - Grandson of the Yellow Emperor
- Emperor Ku (帝嚳) - Great grandson of the Yellow Emperor; nephew of Zhuanxu.
- Yao (堯) - The son of Ku. His elder brother succeeded Ku, but abdicated when he was found
to be an ineffective ruler.
- Shun (舜) - Yao passed his position to Shun in favour of Yao's own son because
of Shun's ability and morality.
These rulers were generally regarded as extremely moral and benevolent rulers, examples to be emulated by latter day kings and
emperors. When Qin Shi Huang united China in
221 BC, he felt that his achievements had surpassed those of all the rulers who have gone before
him. Hence, he combined the ancient titles of Huang (皇) and Di (帝) to create a new title, Huangdi (皇帝), usually
translated as Emperor.
Great Flood
-
Shun passed his place as leader of the Huaxia
tribe to Yu the Great (禹). According to legend, the Yellow River was prone to flooding, and
erupted in a huge flood in the time of Yao. Yu's father, Gun, was put in charge of flood
control by Yao, but failed to alleviate the problem after 9 years. He was executed by
Shun, and Yu took his father's place, and led the people in building canals and
levees. After thirteen years of toil, flooding problems were solved under Yu's command. Shun enfeoffed Yu in the place of
Xia, in present-day Wan County in Henan. On his death, Shun
passed the leadership to Yu. The main source for the story of Yu and the Great Flood comes from The Counsels of Yu the Great in
the Classic of History (尚書·大禹謨).
Because of his achievement in resolving the Great Flood, Yu, alone among the mythological rulers, is usually called "Yu the
Great" (大禹). Alternatively, he is called Emperor Yu (帝禹), like his predecessors.
Xia Dynasty
-
Upon Yu's death, his position as leader was passed not to his deputy, but was inherited by his son Qi. Various sources differ as to the process by which Qi rose to this position. Most versions agree that
during his lifetime, Yu had designated his deputy, Gaotao (皋陶), to be his successor. When Gaotao died before him, Yu then
selected Gaotao's son, Boyi (伯益) as successor. One version then says that all the peoples who had submitted to Yu admired Qi more
than Boyi, and Yu passed power to Qi instead. Another version holds that Boyi ceremoniously offered the position to Qi, who
accepted, against convention, because he had the support of other leaders. A third version says that Qi killed Boyi and usurped
his position as leader.
In any case, Qi's succession broke the previous convention of meritorious succession, and began what is traditionally regarded
as the first dynasty in Chinese history. The dynasty is called "Xia" after Yu's centre of power.
The Xia Dynasty is considered at least semi-mythological. The Records of
the Grand Historian and the Bamboo Annals record the names of 17 kings
of the Xia Dynasty. However, there is no conclusive archaeological evidence of its capital
or its existence as a state of any significant size. Archaeological evidence do not point towards a significant urban
civilisation until the Shang Dynasty.
Shang Dynasty
-
Jie, the last king of the Xia Dynasty, is said to be
a bloodthirsty despot. Tang of Shang, a tribal leader, revolted against Xia rule and
eventually overthrew Jie and established the Shang Dynasty, based in Anyang. The Shang Dynasty ruled from ca. 1766 BC to ca. 1050 BC. It came
to an end when the last despotic ruler, Zhou of Shang, was overthrown by the new
Zhou Dynasty. The end of the Shang Dynasty and the
establishment of the Zhou is the subject of the influential mythological fiction,
Investitute of the Gods (封神演義).
Unlike the preceding Xia Dynasty, there is clear archaeological evidence of a government
centre at Yinxu in Anyang, and of an urban civilisation in the
Shang Dynasty. However, the chronology
of the first three dynasties remains an area of active research and controversy.
Deities
The Jade Emperor is believed to be the most important god. The origins of the Jade
Emperor and how he came to be regarded as a deity are unknown. Also known as Yu Huang Shang-ti, his name means “the August
Personage of Jade.” He is considered to be the first god and to be in charge of all the gods and goddesses. Many myths of
well-known gods and goddesses who were in charge of different aspects of culture exist, although they all answer to the Jade
Emperor.
The Chinese dragon is one of the most important mythical creatures in Chinese
mythology. The Chinese dragon is considered to be the most powerful and divine creature and is believed to be the controller of
all waters. The dragon symbolised great power and was very supportive of heroes and gods. One of the most famous dragons in
Chinese mythology is Ying Long, or "Responding Dragon". He is said to be the god of rain. Many people in different places pray to
him in order to receive rain. In Chinese mythology, dragons are believed to be able to create clouds with their breath.
Chinese people often use the term "Descendants of the
Dragon" as a sign of ethnic identity.
For the most part, Chinese myths involve moral issues which inform people of their culture and values. There are many stories
that can be studied or excavated in China.
Dragon-gods, from
Myths and Legends of China,
1922 by E. T. C. Werner
Religion and mythology
There has been extensive interaction between Chinese mythology and the major belief systems of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. (see
Religion in China)
On the one hand, elements of pre-existing mythology were adapted into these belief systems as they developed (in the case of
Taoism), or were assimilated into Chinese culture (in the case of Buddhism). On the other hand, elements from the teachings and
beliefs of these systems became incorporated into Chinese mythology. For example, the Taoist
belief of a spiritual paradise became incorporated into mythology, as the place where immortals
and deities dwell. Meanwhile, the myths of the benevolent rulers of the past, in the form of the Three August Ones and Five Emperors became a part of the Confucian political philosophy of Primitivism.
Important mythologies and deities
- Three Pure Ones (三清) the Daoist trinity
- Four Emperors (四御) heavenly kings of Daoist religion
- Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝, supreme ruler of all)
- Beiji Dadi (中天紫微北极大帝, ruler of stars)
- Tianhuang Dadi (勾陳上宫天皇大帝 ruler of gods)
- Empress of Earth (后土皇地祇)
- Xi Wangmu (西王母, 王母娘娘): Mother queen of the west，empress who holds the
secret to everlasting life
- Xuan Wu (玄武, 玄天上帝) commonly known as Bei Di (北帝)
- Xuan Nü (玄女) goddess who assisted Huang Di (黃帝) to subdue Chi You (蚩尤).
- Eight Immortals (八仙)Daoist
- He Xiangu (何仙姑)
- Cao Guojiu (曹國舅)
- Tie Guaili (鐵拐李)
- Lan Caihe (藍采和)
- Lu Dongbin (呂洞賓)
- Han Xiangzi (韓湘子)
- Zhang Guolao (張果老)
- Han Zhongli (漢鍾離)
- Deities of Buddhist origin
- Guan Yin (觀音) (觀音菩薩, also Kuan Yin) Goddess of compassion and mercy (was a Taoist first in
some mythologies. Taoist title: Ci Hang Zhen Ren 慈航真人)
- Laughing Buddha (彌勒菩薩), Popular Buddhist deity; god of happiness and wealth
- Dizang (地藏菩薩), rescuer of the dead.
- Yanluo (閻羅 yan2luo2) ruler of Hell (short from 閻魔羅社
Sanskrit Yama Raja).
- Four Heavenly Kings (四大天王) Four buddhist guardian gods
- Gautama Buddha (釋迦牟尼), whom some revere as a deity himself
- Erlang Shen (二郎神)
- Lei Gong (雷公) god of thunder
- Nezha (哪吒)
- Guan Yu (關聖帝君), God of Brotherhoods. God of martial power. Also revered as God of War in
that time.
- Zhao Gongming (趙公明), God of Wealth; Rides on a Tiger.
- Bi Gan (比干), also God of Wealth.
- Bi Fang God of Fire.
- Kui Xing (魁星) God of examinations
- Sun Wukong (孫悟空) The Monkey King from the story Journey to the West
- Daoji (道濟)
- Matsu (媽祖), Goddess of the Sea，also known as queen of heaven (天后)
- Zao Jun (灶君)popular god(s) of the Kitchen.
- Tu Di Gong (土地公), the land god(s)
- Town god (城隍) is gods responsible for the affairs in a city
- Zhong Kui (鍾馗) or Jung Kwae mythical person reputed for
subjugating demons.
- Lung Mo (龍母)
- Hung Shing (洪聖)
- Tam Kung, sea god
- Wong Tai Sin(黃大仙)
- Meng Po (孟婆)
- Three August Ones and Five Emperors (三皇五帝), a collection of
legendary rulers
- Zhu Rong (祝融): God of fire. Defeated Gong Gong.
- Gong Gong (共工): God of water, during the fight with God of Fire, he crushed Mount Buzhou,
broke the sky, which was then patched by Nuwa.
- Chi You (蚩尤 chi1 you2): War god. Inventor of metal weapons. Nemesis of Huang Di.
- Da Yu (大禹): Da Yu regulates the courses of
rivers (to control floods)
- Kua Fu -- Kua Fu chases the sun. (夸父追日)
- Cangjie (倉頡): Cangjie creates the characters.
- Hou Yi (后羿 hou4 yi4): A great archer hero who shot down suns. (See note in solar deity)
- Chang E (嫦娥) Hou Yi's wife. Goddess of the Moon.
- The Cowherd and Weaver Girl (牛郎織女）.
- Han Ba (旱魃), Ancient goddess of drought.
- Wenchang Wang (文昌王)
- Gao Yao: God of justice and judgement.
Spirit of the well, from
Myths and Legends of China, 1922 by E. T. C. Werner
Mythical creatures
- Ba She (巴蛇 ba1she2) a snake reputed to swallow elephants
- Birds:
- Fenghuang (Chinese Phoenix)
- Ji Guang (吉光 ji2guang1)
- Jian (鶼 jian1) A mythical bird supposed to have only one eye and one wing: 鶼鶼 a pair of such
birds dependent on each other, inseparable, hence, represent husband and wife.
- Jingwei (精衛) a mythical bird which tries to fill up the ocean with twigs and pebbles.
- Shang-Yang (a rainbird)
- Nine-headed Bird Used to scare children.
- Su Shuang (鷫鵊 su4shuang3) a mythical bird, also variously described as a water bird, like
the crane.
- Peng (鵬, a mythical bird of giant size and terrific flying power) Also known as
Chinese roc.
- Qing Niao (青鳥 qing1niao3) a mythical bird, the messenger of Xi Wangmu.
- Zhu (a bad omen)
- Chinese dragon
- Qilin, chimeric animal with several variations. The first giraffe sent as a gift to a Chinese emperor was believed to be the Qilin. An early Chinese painting depicts this
giraffe replete with the fish scales of the Qilin.
- Long Ma (龍馬) Similar to the Qilin- the dragon-horse.
- Kui (夔 kui2) a mythical one legged monster.
- Kun, also known as Peng (鯤 kun1) a
mythical giant monstrous fish.
- Jiang Shi
- Luduan can detect truth.
- Yaoguai — demons.
- Huli jing — fox spirits.
- Nian, the beast
- Ox heads & horse faces 牛頭馬面 messenger boy in Hell.
- Pixiu (貔貅)
- Rui Shi (瑞獅)
- Qīng Lóng, Azure dragon of the east.
- Xuán Wǔ, black warrior of the north.
- Bái Hǔ, white tiger of the west.
- Zhū Què, vermillion bird of the south.
- Tao Tie (饕餮 tao1tie4) a mythical gargoyle like figure, often found on ancient bronze vessels,
representing greed. It is said to be the fifth son of dragon and has such an appetite that it even eats its head.
- Xiao (魈 xiao1) A mythical mountain spirit or demon.
- Xiezhi (獬豸) an unicorn beast
- The Xing Tian (刑天 "punished one" or "he who was punished by heaven") is a headless giant. He
was decapitated by the Yellow Emperor as punishment for challenging him. Because he has
no head, his face is in his torso. He wanders around fields and roads and is often depicted carrying a shield and an axe and
doing a fierce war dance.
Mythical places
- Xuanpu (玄圃 xuan2pu3), a mythical fairyland on Kunlun
Mountain (崑崙).
- Yaochi (瑤池 yao2chi2), abode of immortals where Xi Wang Mu lives.
- Fusang (扶桑 fu2sang1), a mythical island, often interpreted as Japan.
- Queqiao (鵲橋 que4qiao2) the bridge formed by birds across the Milky Way.
- Penglai (蓬萊 peng2lai2) the paradise, a fabled Fairy Isle on the China Sea.
- Longmen (龍門 long2men2) the dragon gate where a carp can transform into a
dragon.
- Di Yu (地獄 di4yu4) the Chinese hell
Literary sources of Chinese mythology
See also
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This article contains Chinese text.
Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of
Chinese characters. |
References
- Werner, E. T. C. (1922). Myths & Legends of China. New York:
George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd.. Retrieved on 2007-03-14.
- Paper, Jordan (1995). The Spirits are Drunk:
Comparative Approaches to Chinese Religion. SUNY Press.
External links
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