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e. Chinese mythology ( simplified Chinese: 中国神话; traditional Chinese: 中國神話; pinyin: Zhōngguó shénhuà) is mythology that has been passed down in oral form or recorded in literature throughout the area now known as Greater China. Chinese mythology encompasses a diverse array of myths derived from regional and cultural traditions.
Jul 24, 2023 · Chinese mythology denotes the collections of myths and legends found throughout today’s Greater China regions. The mythology of ancient China survived through oral traditions and, later, through written literature. Many Chinese myths have been preserved over the centuries alongside Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism in Chinese folk religion.
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- Chinese Mythology in Context
- CORE Deities and Characters
- Major Myths
- Key Themes and Symbols
- Chinese Mythology in Art, Literature, and Everyday Life
- Read, Write, Think, Discuss
The people of China have a rich and complicated mythology that dates back nearly four thousand years. Throughout Chinese history, myth and reality have been intertwined. Historical figures have been worshipped as gods, and ancient myths are sometimes treated as historical truths. In addition, three great religious traditions—Confucianism, Taoism, a...
The deities and characters that make up the body of Chinese mythology originate in many different regions and from several unique belief systems. For this reason, Chinese mythology is less uniform and consistent in its legends than the mythologies of many other cultures, but offers a wide range of tales and mythological figures to appreciate. Pan G...
According to Chinese mythology, at the beginning of time the universe consisted only of a giant egg. Within the egg lay a sleeping giant named Pan Gu. One day Pan Gu awoke and stretched, causing the egg to split open. After Pan Gu emerged, the light, pure parts of the egg became the sky, while the heavy parts formed the earth. This separation of th...
Several common themes appear throughout much of Chinese mythology. Among the most significant are the creation of the world out of chaos or disorder, the importance of nature, and reverence for ancestors. The importance of nature is stressed in legends, such as that of the Five Sacred Mountains that represent the main points of the compass and the ...
Mythology has been one of the richest sources for Chinese artists and writers to draw upon over the centuries, fourney to the Westis considered to be one of the most important books in Chinese history, and traditional artwork commonly features legendary figures, such as the Five Emperors or the Eight Immortals. In modern times, even with the increa...
Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China that Never Was (1984), by Barry Hughart, is a fantasy tale built largely on the myth of the princess and the cowherd, though it also weaves many other Chinese myths into its adventure. Master Li Kao and his sidekick, Number Ten Ox, venture across a mythical, seventh-century landscape in an attempt to fin...
Mar 27, 2024 · In Zhengzhou, China, stands a monumental testament to antiquity: a towering sculpture, reaching a staggering 106 meters (348 ft) in height. This awe-inspiring structure immortalizes two fabled figures from Chinese lore: Yandi, remembered as the “Flame Emperor,” and Huangdi, revered as the “Yellow Emperor.”. Erected to commemorate their ...
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Most of what we know about the first part of prehistoric China is from Chinese mythology, which is why it’s now known as the Mythical Period. The Mythical Period includes the rule of the Three Sovereigns and the Five Emperors. The last of the Five Emperors was Emperor Shun.
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 symbolized great power and was very supportive of heroes and gods.
Other articles where Chinese mythology is discussed: Chinese literature: Literary use of myths: …clear evidence that an organic mythology ever existed; if it did, all traces have been lost. Attempts by scholars, Eastern and Western alike, to reconstruct the mythology of antiquity have consequently not advanced beyond probable theses. Shang dynasty material is limited. Zhou dynasty (c. 1046 ...
