Chinese mythology

Chinese mythology (traditional Chinese: 中國神話; simplified Chinese: 中国神话; pinyin: Zhōngguó shénhuà) is mythology told through stories and writings in the land now called Greater China. These stories have amazing characters and magical beings in wonderful worlds or old times. Like myths from other places, Chinese mythology sometimes helps explain the past.

Chinese mythology is closely linked with Chinese folklore, Chinese folk religion, and religious Taoism. Many stories talk about how the world began, who the gods are, and how people learned important skills. Some myths explain how the Chinese people and their rulers began. These tales often have culture heroes who taught people to build homes, cook food, and write.

Two important ideas in Chinese mythology are li and qi. These ideas shape how people interact with each other through rituals, dances, and ceremonies. Chinese myths help explain the world and teach lessons about life and tradition.

Classification

Chinese mythology has many interesting stories about amazing events and characters. Some well-known ancient myths include tales like Pangu creating the world, Nuwa fixing the sky, and Dayu controlling a big flood.

There are also many folk myths and legends, such as The Legend of the White Snake, Chang'e flying to the Moon, and The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. Literary myths include popular stories like Nezha and the adventure in Journey to the West.

Mythology and religion

Further information: Religion in China and Chinese folk religion

Chinese mythology is linked to important ideas and beliefs such as Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Old stories, like those in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, became part of these beliefs. For example, Taoist thoughts about a special paradise joined myths about where gods and immortal beings live. These stories and ideas spread across China, sometimes being special to groups like the Qiang people. Leaders also used myths to show that their power came from something greater.

Mythology and philosophy

Further information: Chinese philosophy

Chinese mythology and philosophy often influenced each other. During the time of the Warring States, many ideas about life and the world grew and changed. Some thinkers talked about personal freedom and change, like in stories of magic animals. Others believed in strong rules and stable governments, often linked to myths about powerful leaders and important traditions. These ideas helped shape Chinese culture and stories.

Mythology and ritual

Mythology is connected to rituals in society and culture. Many rituals can be understood through myths. For example, the burning of special paper money called mortuary banknotes and lighting fireworks are explained by mythology.

A clear example of this link is the Yubu, or Steps of Yu. According to the story, Yu worked very hard to stop a big flood. Today, some Daoist practitioners use special walking patterns in their rituals, connecting the ancient myth of Yu with modern practices.

Cosmology

Further information: Chinese mythological geography

Chinese mythology has many ideas about the earth, the universe, and how they connect. One common idea is that the earth is square and the sky is round, held apart by things like mountains or trees. Above the sky is Heaven, a big place often ruled by a supreme emperor. It is filled with many beings living in palaces, much like the government on earth. Below the earth is an underground world called Diyu or the Yellow Springs. Here, the souls of people who have passed away are judged based on their lives. This place also has its own rulers and government.

Mythology talks about special places, both above and below the earth. The heavenly place is called Tian and is sometimes ruled by a supreme deity like the Jade Emperor. It has features like the sun, stars, and the Milky Way, also known as the River of Heaven. Travel between Heaven and Earth was often done by flying or climbing, such as crossing the Queqiao bridge made of birds. The underground world, Diyu, is where souls are judged and may face consequences or be reborn. Mythological places also include special mountains, rivers, and islands, such as Mount Penglai, a paradise in the sea, and Kunlun, a western mountain home to deities and magical plants.

Mythological and semi-mythological chronology

Chinese mythology tells stories about how the world began and how humans first appeared. These stories often include important events like big floods and early leaders and rulers. Over time, people changed these myths to teach lessons or make them easier to understand.

There are also myths about time and the calendar. One famous example is the twelve zodiac animals—Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig—each representing a year in a twelve-year cycle. These stories help explain how ancient people thought about tracking time.

Main article: Chinese zodiac

Creation myths

Main article: Chinese creation myths

Chinese mythology has many stories about how the world began. These stories explain how the universe, the earth, and people came to be. They often talk about powerful gods and magical beings who helped create everything.

One famous story is about Pangu. In this tale, Pangu was one of the first beings who helped shape the heavens and the earth. The story was written down by a Taoist writer named Xu Zheng around the year 200 CE.

Age of heroes

Many heroes helped people in different ways, like stopping big floods and showing how to use fire. These heroes were sometimes seen as gods and sometimes as very brave people. Examples of early heroes include Youchao, who showed people how to build houses from wood, and Suiren, who taught people how to use fire and cook. Another example is Leizu, who is said to have invented sericulture, making silk.

The stories about old times start with groups of emperors, like the Three Primeval Emperors and the Five Premier Emperors. After them came the Three Dynasties: the Xia dynasty, Shang dynasty, and Zhou dynasty. These dynasties mix myths and real history. Important people include the Yellow Emperor, Houji, and Chiyou, who all helped shape early Chinese culture and society.

Important deities, spirits, and mythological people

Chinese mythology has many interesting stories about gods, spirits, and special people. These characters come from different traditions and cultures across China. Some are gods, like the Jade Emperor, who looks after the sky, earth, and the place where people go after they die. Others, called xian, become special through magic or special ways.

Major deities

An important figure is Shangdi, an early sky god from the Shang dynasty. Later, he was called Huángtiān Shàngdì. Another key figure is the Jade Emperor, who decides what is fair for people and spirits. Nüwa is a mother goddess who helped make humans and fixed the Pillars of Heaven. Her brother and husband, Fuxi, worked with her to create humans and is linked to an ancient book called the I Ching.

Daoism and Chinese mythology

Over time, many old beliefs became part of Daoism, a big Chinese religion and way of thinking. Important Daoist figures include Laozi, the legendary founder, and the Jade Emperor. Daoist stories often include magic, spells, and special drinks.

Buddhist influences

Buddhism also brought new gods and spirits to Chinese mythology, like Guanyin, the goddess of kindness, and Dizang, a monk who helps people after they die. The Four Heavenly Kings protect Buddhist temples, and the happy Laughing Buddha is a well-known figure.

Confucian influence

Confucius, a wise teacher from long ago, became an important figure in Chinese mythology. His ideas about families and traditions shaped Chinese culture.

Afterlife and family

Many Chinese stories explain what happens after people die. These stories often talk about honoring ancestors, special holidays, and beliefs about ghosts and spirits. For example, the Qingming Festival is a time when families remember their ancestors.

Weather deities

Some gods and spirits control the weather and nature. Lei Gong is the god of thunder, and dragons often bring rain. Ba, a goddess, can cause droughts to keep nature balanced.

Astronomical deities

Myths also have gods linked to the sun, moon, and stars. Xihe is the goddess of the sun, and Chang'e lives on the moon after drinking a magic drink that made her live forever. Every full moon, people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival to honor her.

Deities of places

Many gods and spirits are connected to special places. Mazu protects sailors and people who travel the sea, while the Xiang River goddesses are linked to a river in ancient China.

Household deities and spirits

Chinese families often honor special spirits who watch over them. The Kitchen God tells higher powers about the family, and other spirits guard doors and homes.

Occupational tutelaries

Some gods help people with certain jobs. Kui Xing and Wenchang Wang are linked to learning and doing well in studies.

Life and social association

There are also gods connected to health, families, and human relationships. Sun Simiao is a god of medicine, and Bixia is linked to having children.

Mythological creatures

Further information: Category:Chinese legendary creatures and Animal worship

Chinese mythology has many interesting creatures, both magical and powerful. People believed the Emperor ruled humans, winged creatures were ruled by the phoenix, and scaly or finned creatures by the dragon. These stories often have amazing beings with special powers, living in imaginary places or long ago times.

The Four Symbols

The Four Symbols were four wise animals, each standing for a group of animals. They are the Azure Dragon of the East, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West, and the Black Tortoise of the North.

Dragons, dragon-like and related creatures

Main articles: Chinese dragon and Dragon King

The Chinese dragon is a strong mythical creature that controls all water and makes clouds. Dragons show great power and help heroes and gods. Famous dragons include Yinglong, the god of rain, and Shenlong, a master of storms. Dragons often chase a special pearl and appear in many stories and artworks.

Fish and fish-like

Main article: Fish in Chinese mythology

Myths also have fish and fish-like beings, such as part-human, part-sea creatures similar to mermaids. Carp that jump over the dragon gate of the Yellow River were thought to change into dragons, showing a scholar's success in the Imperial examination system.

Snakelike and reptilian

Further information: Chinese dragon and Snakes in Chinese mythology

Snakes and reptiles appear in many Chinese myths. These include the giant marine turtle or tortoise Ao, the Bashe snake known for its size, and the White Serpent from the novel Legend of the White Snake. Some immortal beings, called xian, were thought to look like reptiles or birds.

Birds

Main article: Birds in Chinese mythology

Further information: Category:Birds in Chinese mythology, Geese in poetry, Category:Legendary birds, and Category:Birds in mythology

Birds in Chinese mythology range from real birds with magic powers to ones that only exist in stories. The Crane is linked with immortality and may change into an immortal or carry one. The Vermilion Bird stands for the south and is linked with fire. Other birds include the Peng, a huge bird form of the Kun fish, and the Jingwei, a bird that tries to fill the ocean with twigs and pebbles.

Mythological humanoid

Further information: List of supernatural beings in Chinese folklore

Mythological humanoids include former humans, part-human beings, and human-like creatures. Examples include Kui, a one-legged mountain spirit who created music and dance, and xian, immortal human-like beings with different looks.

Mythological mammals

Further information: Dog in Chinese mythology, Bovidae in Chinese mythology, Horse in Chinese mythology, and List of Chinese terrestrial ungulates

Mythological mammals in Chinese stories include animals from the Chinese zodiac, such as the zodiacal dog, zodiacal ox, and zodiacal horse. Fox spirits, known as Huli jing, are important, including the nine-tailed fox. Other mammals include oxen, sheep, goats, and various types of unicorns like the Qilin. Cats such as Pixiu and Rui Shi also appear in myths.

Four Fiends

The Four Fiends stand for different bad qualities:

• Hundun: chaos
• Taotie: greed
• Táowù (梼杌): ignorance
• Qióngqí (窮奇): trickery

Miscellaneous or other

• Nian: a creature that lives under the sea or in mountains and is said to bother children
• Luduan: a creature that can find the truth
• Xiezhi: a creature of justice that can tell lies from truths
• Bai Ze: a legendary creature said to have given the Yellow Emperor a compendium with information about all the demons in the world

Mythological plants

Chinese mythology has many magical plants that grow in special places, like Heaven or hidden parts of the Earth. Some famous examples are the Fusang world tree where the sun lives, the Lingzhi mushrooms that grant immortality, the Peaches of Immortality, and the magical Yao Grass. There are also beautiful plants made of jasper and jade that grow in the gardens of these wonderful paradises.

Mythological objects

Further information: Eight Treasures and Weapons and armor in Chinese mythology

Chinese mythology has many magical objects like special gems, shiny pearls, and powerful weapons. One famous object is the wish-fulfilling jewel. It could grant any wish. There are also shiny gemstones that glow in the dark. Another well-known item is the Marquis of Sui's pearl. This special pearl is linked to dragons. There is also a set of nine cauldrons called the Nine Tripod Cauldrons. People believed these cauldrons gave a ruler the right to lead China.

Weapons are important in these stories too. For example, the hero Yi used a magical bow and arrows. These were given to him by the god Di Jun. He used them to shoot down extra suns in the sky. Other famous weapons include Guanyu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade, Xingtian's shield and battleaxe, and many weapons used by the warrior Chiyou.

Major sources

Chinese mythology comes from many different places, like stories, plays, and books. We can also learn about these myths from old objects such as bronze items, paintings, and buildings. The oldest written myths are tiny marks on bones and shells used for telling the future, called oracle bones, from a very old time called the Shang dynasty.

Ancient bronze objects, especially from a time called the Zhou dynasty, sometimes have short stories or hints about myths. Many myths are found in old books and poems. Some of the earliest books come from the Zhou dynasty. Later books, like those from the Han dynasty, also share myths. During many dynasties, myths grew into stories we still know today. Some myths were turned into famous books and stories.

Comparative mythology

Main article: Comparative mythology

The study of Chinese mythology often looks at comparative mythology. This means comparing myths from different cultures to find similar themes and ideas. Important thinkers like Georges Dumézil and James Frazer helped create this field. They gave us useful ways to understand Chinese myths.

Many old Chinese myths were told in families and communities. These stories lasted for a long time and became part of bigger belief systems, like Chinese Manichaeism.

In popular culture

Main category: Chinese mythology in popular culture

Chinese mythology has inspired many TV shows, movies, and video games for thousands of years. It still influences modern technology today. For example, China’s lunar explorer Chang'e 4 was named after Chang'e, the moon goddess. It made history by landing on the far side of the Moon in January 2019. Another spacecraft, Queqiao, was named after a bridge in the sky formed by magpies, connecting lovers in the stars.