Chinese mythology

Chinese mythology refers to those myths found in the historical geographic area of China: these include myths in Chinese and other languages, as transmitted by Han Chinese as well as other ethnic groups (of which fifty-six are officially recognized by the current administration of China). Chinese mythology includes creation myths and legends, such as myths concerning the founding of Chinese culture and the Chinese state. As in many cultures' mythologies, Chinese mythology has in the past been believed to be, at least in part, a factual recording of history. Thus, in the study of historical Chinese culture, many of the stories that have been told regarding characters and events which have been written or told of the distant past have a double tradition: one which presents a more historicized and one which presents a more mythological version.

The dozens of ethnic minority groups of the country of China have their own languages and their own folklore, and many have their own writing: much of which contains valuable historical and cultural information as well as many unique myths. Some myths are widely shared across multiple ethnic groups, but may exist as versions with some differences.

Lists of deities

This is an index to deities of the different religions, cultures and mythologies of the world, listed by type and by region.

For deified individuals see "List of people who have been considered deities", "Apotheosis" and "Imperial cult". For epithets of gods of monotheistic religions, see Names of God. For deities whose cult is fictional see "List of deities in fiction".

By classification

A basic classification of types of gods is given by Stith Thompson's Motif-Index of Folk-Literature: