CHINESE MYTHOLOGY-mau

MAURENE M.
GALINDEZ MA’AM GHING DADO
SECTION 201 2ND YEAR BSED EL 112
CHINESE MYTHOLOGY
SOURCE: Wikipedia
Chinese mythology Is Mythology that has been passed down in oral form or
recorded in literature in the geographic area known as GREATER CHINA.
Chinese Mythology includes many varied myths from regional and cultural
traditions.
Many of the mythology involves exciting stories full of fantastic people and
beings, the use of magical powers often taking place in an exotic
mythological place or time.
Chinese mythology forms important parts of Chinese folk Region. Many

stories regarding characters and events of the distant past have a double
tradition.
SOURCE: New World Encyclopedia
CHINESE MYTHOLOGY IS a collection of cultural history, folktales and

religious tradition that has been passed down for centuries in oral or written
form.
There are several aspects to Chinese Mythology including;
1. Creation Myths and legends

2. Myths concerning the founding of Chinese Culture
3. The Chinese State.
4. Chinese Mythology generally concerns moral issues and inform people
about their culture and values. Like of many mythologies, some people
believe it to be at least in part of factual recording of History.
Chinese Myths are thought to have originated around the 12 th century B.C.E,
and were transmitted orally for over one thousand years before being
recorded in books such as Shui Jing Zhu and Shan Hai Jing. These early
works are the sources for the myths which are extant today. There has been
extensive interaction between Chinese mythology and the major belief
systems of CONFUCIANISM, TAOISM, and BUDDISM. Elements of pre
exiting mythology were adapted into these beliefs systems and one of the
teachings and beliefs of these systems also became incorporated into Chinese
Mythology. For example; the TAOIST belief in spiritual paradise became
incorporated to mythology, as the place where immortals and deities dwell.
The myth glorifying the benevolent rulers of the past; the Three August Ones
and Five Emperors became a part of Confucian political philosophy.
Other Myths continued to be transmitted through oral traditions, such

as theater, dance and song, before being recorded in the form of novel
such as FENGSHEN YANI,
MOST OF THE MYTHS EXTANT TODAY ARE DERIVED FROM THIS

WORKS.
1. SHAN HAI JING (Mountain and Sea Scroll) describes the myths,
witchcraft and religion of ancient china in great detail.
2. SHUI JING ZHU ( Commentaries on the Water Scroll)
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.
3. Hei’an Zhuan (Epic of Darkness) is the only collection of legends
in epic form preserved by a community of the Han ethnicity of China
4. Imperial Historical documents and philosophical canons such as
Shangshu, Shiji, Lushi,Chunqiu and others contain information
about China and the legendary emperor and Heroes who establishes
the Chine Nation and culture.
Some Myths survive in theatrical or literacy forms or literary forms, as play
or novels. Important mythological fiction which is regarded as definitive
records of these myths include;
1. Verse Poetry of Ancient States such as Lisao by QU YUAN of the

Chu State.
2. Fengshen YAnyi or Anointing of the gods, mythological fiction
dealing with the founding of the Zhou dynasty.
3. Journey to the West, by Wu Cheng’en a fictionalized account of
the Pilgrimage of Xuanzang to India, in which the pilgrims
encountered a variety of ghosts, monster and demons.
4. Baishe Zhuan, a romantic tales set in Hangzhou invoving a snake
who attained human form and fell in love with a man.
MYTHS AND LEGENDS

CREATION MYTHS
A unique characteristic of 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.
1. Shangdi
2. Tian or Heaven
3. Nuwa
4. Pangwu
5. Yu Huang
The Three August Ones:

1. Fuxi –The companion of Nuwa
2. Shennong (devine Farmer) reputedly taught the ancients agriculture and
medicine.
3. Huang Di- Commonly known the “Yellow Emperor” is often regarded as
the first sovereign of the Chinese Nation.
THE FIVE EMPERORS
1. Shaohao- leader of the Dongyi or Eastern Barbarians
2. Zhuanxu- Grandson of the Yellow emperor
3. Emperor Ku- Great Grandson of Yellow emperor; Nephew of Zhuanxu.
4. Yao- The son of Ku
5. Shun- Yao passed his position to Shun instead of to Yao’s own son
because of Shuns ability and moral principles.
THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE ACCORDING To CHINESE
MYTHOLOGY
In the beginning there was enormous egg containing chaos. On the inside the chaos
raged on and on. Both Yin and Yang are mix together inside the egg. All the opposite
are writing together, male and female, cold and hot, wet and dry, dark and light.
Finally the egg burst open, and out leap the Giant dragon named Pan-gu/ Pangwu.
Yin and Yang swirled around him and he push the shell halves apart, thus the opposite
where separated and the Earth to take shape. Every day for 18,000 years Pan-gu grew ten
feet. Thus the sky was raised a little higher every day. Once the sky was 30,000 miles
above the ground. Pan Gu stopped and hammer out the mountains and filled the valley
with water to form great oceans. He created rivers with his fingers and stamped the
earth down to create flat lands. He gathers raw lights and tossed them into the sky to
become stars.
After 18,000 years He grew old and tired. He made the world with his hand and
forms the Basic Principles of YIN and Yang.
When Pan-gu died his body form huge mountains, his skull form the top of the sky, his
hair form all flowers and plants, his bones formed to Jade and pearl, and his arms and
legs the four directions. His blood becomes the rivers, his breath turned into the wind
and voice into the thunder. One eye become the sun and the other become moon.
For many years the world was a very beautiful place but also lonely; there were no
people
The half goddess dragon NUwa was born after Pangu died, from part of Ying and Yang
that He had separated. She decided to create humans to have some other beings o talk
to and share ideas with, but mostly just to love. Nuwa went down to the edge of the
river where there where vast soft mud banks. She began forming figures out of clay. She
decided would be much more practical for her creations to have legs instead of a dragon
tail, thus her humans were not made in her image.Nuwa was so delighted and began
making more and more humans and fill the earth man and woman.

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MAURENE M.

GALINDEZ MA’AM GHING DADO

SECTION 201 2ND YEAR BSED EL 112

Chinese mythology forms important parts of Chinese folk Region. Many

SOURCE: New World Encyclopedia

CHINESE MYTHOLOGY IS a collection of cultural history, folktales and

There are several aspects to Chinese Mythology including;

1. Creation Myths and legends

Other Myths continued to be transmitted through oral traditions, such

MOST OF THE MYTHS EXTANT TODAY ARE DERIVED FROM THIS

1. Verse Poetry of Ancient States such as Lisao by QU YUAN of the

MYTHS AND LEGENDS

The Three August Ones:

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