Chinese folklore contains many symbolic folk meanings for the objects and animals within the folktales. Pangu is the central figure in the Chinese Taoist legends of creation. Mythology in China has been gathered from the 56 officially recognized ethnic groups that are recognized by the current Chinese government. He stole a piece of magic soil from heaven to dam the water. Thursday, May 28, 2020. They are considered to be the purest forms of the Tao and the origin of sentient beings. Like many other cultures, Chinese mythology is entwined with history. These include folk songs categorized as epics (, similar to long ballads or lyrical fairy tales. She arrived in hell reciting holy books and the king of hell was very angry with her. He is one of the main characters... 2 Chang’e and Hou Yi. Before Gong, Zhurong, the fire god, ruled the world peacefully. The stories presented here are simple, easy to grasp and fun. Myths and legends of Western cultures frequently depict dragons as brutish monsters that are usually slain by heroes; however, Chinese myths paint the dragon as a more elegant and mystical figure. Get it Tomorrow, Nov 25. These include myths about: Creation, legend, Religion, deities and mythological figures, cosmology, mythical places, plants, substances, and creatures such as abstract(omens the four friends: chaos, gluttony, ignorance, deviousness), birds, dragons, fish like, … The myth about Yu the Great is based on Chinese legends dating from 2205 to 2197 BC. Chinese Myths & Folktales consists of 32 ancient stories, beautifully representing the Chinese civilization. Ancient sacred texts, precious artifacts, archaeological discoveries, myths and legends open a window to the past. The chi-lin has been depicted in myths as a peaceful and timid animal who leaves the innocent alone, but if angered, will jab evil people with its horn. Folktales consist of Fairy Tales (or fairytales), Animal tales, Legends, Myths and Riddle Stories which you will find here! ). The five- thousand-year Chinese culture, over the centuries, has produced hundreds of legends about monsters, ghosts, demons, and spirits. In Daoism, dragons are benevolent spirits who are kind to humans and associated with prosperity. Notes (1) Chen Di, p. 68-70; (2) Guan Han & Wei Gan, p. 282-283. During the 14th century, a real giraffe was sent to the imperial court and many observers claimed it was the reincarnation of the mythical chi-lin. “The crows come flying and form a bridge over which the Weaving Maiden crosses the silver river”. This collection can be found in. 中國神話與民间故事 = Chinese myths & folktales / Jian Zhu ; [translated by Molly Luethi]. “Jade Emperor. Hou Yi had a potion to become immortal, but it was sufficient only for one. The Three Pure ones (the Taoist trinity)- Daode Tianzun, Lingbao Tianzun, Yuanshi Tianzun. He immediately fell in love with the girl. Top 10 Chinese myths 1 Sun Wukong – the monkey king. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taoist_Triad.jpg#/media/File:Taoist_Triad.jpg. Yokai (supernatural monsters), Yūrei (ghosts), Oni (demons), and Kaijin (sorcerers) were common and popular subjects for Ukiyo-e, woodblock prints created during the Edo period. The most important aspects of Chinese New Year are the decorations and firecrackers. Chang-O (or Chang’e), the Chinese goddess of the moon, is the subject of several legends in Chinese mythology. According to mythology, Sun used to be very naughty and eager to take over the world and it took Buddha a lot of effort to tame him. This popular and interesting story about Chang-O takes you to the distant past where the 10 sons of the Jade Emperor were transformed into 10 suns. Hou Yi is also said to have shot down nine of the 10 suns that were burning up the earth in prehistoric times. Here are legends of ancient demons, strange ghosts, magic swords, evil sorcerers, diabolical transformations, flying ogres, fairy foxes, powerful gods, and more. Part of the workshop was, naturally, a discussion on whether or not one The Ballroom: A Tale of Saint John's and Saint Ben's. Most of these myths date back to ancient times, and some even predate the recorded history of mankind. It is said that loyal soldiers embroidered the emblem of the chi-lin on their clothing to show how dutiful they were. According to mythology, Nuwa created mankind and repaired the pillar of heaven and the broken corners of earth which Gong Gong had destroyed in a fit of anger. These cultural treasures are collected for students, educators and anyone eager to learn the Chinese language. Hou Yi is believed to have lived between 2436 and 2255 BC. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chinese_-_The_Eight_Immortals_-_Walters_3535.jpg#/media/File:Chinese_-_The_Eight_Immortals_-_Walters_3535.jpg. They are considered to be the purest forms of the Tao and the origin of sentient beings. Sun Wukong is the most famous monkey in China. The tales shine light on the traditions and culture of China throughout all of its years. One of the many legends about Yu tells of his extraordinary birth where a man called Gun was told to control a great flood. by Lindsey Weber. And we must remember this when we talk about China’s ancient mythology. They include: The Painted Wall, The Flower Nymphs, The Boatmen of Lao-lung, The King of the Nine Mountains, The Disowned Princess, and dozens more. But this tradition has a myth attached to it. The Jade Emperor– He was charged with running the three realms: heaven hell and the realm of the living. Stories from Dr. Geng's Chinese Folklore, Myth and Legend Class. Influenced by the ideas of alchemy and Taoist and Buddhist superstitions, various writers invented tales of gods and demons. The earliest Chinese mythologies contain many stories of the wondrous rulers of ancient times, but there are no creation stories. It is interesting how they tell the origins of Chinese New Year myths and explain why age-old traditions are still practiced to this day. Collection of Chinese Folktales covers diverse subjects and styles of oral literature, among which there are myths, legends and various tales including animal tales, imaginary tales, life tales, and folk jokes. Even though local tradition varies on how the different ethnic groups around China classify these narratives they can be classified many different groups that are to be sung or to be spoken. He sent her back to the world of the living where she gained spiritual insights from Buddha and later on was blessed with immortality. She was said to have been murdered by her own father. Diyu, the Chinese Hell Many of these demons and ghosts influenced Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore folklore. Yu is considered to be the first to pass his status as ruler on to his descendants, creating the first dynasty, the Xia dynasty. Here is a compilation of 10 famous ancient Chinese myths: The Pilgrimage Mythology primarily talks about Kwan Yin, the goddess of mercy and compassion. Another collection of Chinese folktales, possibly the last one. Dragons slept in the winter and emerged in the spring. Here are legends of ancient demons, strange ghosts, magic swords, evil sorcerers, diabolical transformations, flying ogres, fairy foxes, powerful gods, and more. These myths and generally inform about moral issues and informs people about their cultures and values. He could transform himself into a bear, a dragon, or a human. Discover our collected tales for kids from India, China, Burma and many other countries… They include: “The Painted Wall,” “The Flower Nymphs,” “The Boatmen of Lao-lung,” “The King of the Nine Mountains,” “The Disowned Princess,” and dozens more. these are based on local folksong traditions, and also the Yuefu folk ballads that date back to the Han Dynasty (220BC-220 AD). To counteract the destructive forces of both Gong and Zhurong, Nuwa, the creator of people, appears in this myth. The temple of Kwan Yin, located at the summit of Wondrous Peak, has always attracted many pilgrims. So he dashed home for a hook, and tied it with the rope for his bucket, then put it into the well to fish for the moon. Daode Tianzun, Lingbao Tianzun, Yuanshi Tianzun. by Kevin McKenzie. In many of the well-known Chinese tales, we often find no clear distinction between reality and myth, earth and heaven, history and storytelling, past and present. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. The Story of Shadow Puppets. – Sometimes worshiped as the ultimate ancestors of all humankind, often represented as half human half snake. Nüwa created humans from clay for companionship. “Taoist Triad” by Illustration of Taoist Triad on page 124, in the book “Myths & Legends of China” by E.T.C. There are also wedding songs (kujiage), drinking songs (jiuge), love songs (quingge), and work songs (laodongge). Chinese folktales, myths, legends, and proverbs translated, adapted, and annotated by Fred Lobb. In a nutshell, the four great folktales of China are Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, Tale of the White Snake, Lady Meng Jiang, and The Cowherd and the Weaving Girl (Niu … He pulled hard on the rope. A Love Curse. Fushi was the first ruler of this magical period. By all accounts, Gong Gong ends up being killed or sent into exile. The ancient Chinese civilization was one of the world's earliest states. But the Grand Archer Yi is one of the few mortals who has helped the gods. One day, the King of Sharks saw a beautiful girl swimming near the shore. The mythology has it that The Monkey King converted to Buddhism but continued to use Taoist knowledge and skills to combat evil. When we read their stories, we see a great imagination and mastery of the written language. Later in his life, he became a loyal companion to the monk Xuanzang on his adventurous journey from China to India and back again. When we look at the history of ancient Chinese mythology, writings seem to have begun in the Wei and Jin dynasties (220 to 420 AD). One day, when Yi was out hunting, his apprentice Feng Meng broke into his house and tried to get the elixir from Yi’s wife, Chang’e. This story introduces the unicorn, the chi-lin, which is considered a sacred animal to the Chinese. He wrestled to gain control of the earth shortly after the creation of people. Despite their many themes and variations, most Chinese myths possess one common and central element: the battle of ordinary people against great adversity. The archer Yi shot down nine of these suns and left only one. The materials of the palace were said to have been prepared overnight by mountain spirits. Maori Myths. In most of the myths, she is portrayed as a woman holding an infant, dressed in white, and sitting on a lotus. The collection of folktales from China consists of three books with 104 folktales. Even though local tradition varies on how the different ethnic groups around China classify these narratives they can be classified many different groups that are to be sung or to be spoken. As Well as the Spoken narritives such as folktales (minjian gushi), myths (shenhua), legends (chuanshuo), animal tales (dongwu gushi) and many more different styles of stories. China is a mosaic of divergent philosophies and traditions. He taught people how to use fire, how to cook, how to write, and many other skills like hunting, fishing, and fortune-telling. Nüwa and Fuxi– Sometimes worshiped as the ultimate ancestors of all humankind, often represented as half human half snake. ancient chinese myths legends and folktales 4 December 2020 / in Geen categorie / by / in Geen categorie / by Over the years the Chinese government and Universities have been collecting folklore stories and songs from all over China since 1949. China has a rich written history of folksongs dating back to the 5, century BC. 10-Day Tibetan Wonders. Myths about him are linked to the people of the southwestern part of China. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts.. The most ancient myths involve the 10 legendary kings or gods who guided people through their prehistoric beginnings (around 3000 to 2197 BC). In this lesson, you will learn the meaning of a folktale and examine the meaning of a couple Chinese folktales. See also: Top 10 Interesting Facts About Hindu Mythology. This blog is full of Chinese stories, tales, and myth that sometimes can tease your fantasies and imaginations. He used to feed on animals and humans. Throughout its history, China has seen many conflicts, religions, and philosophies that have been interwoven into Chinese myths. The Singing Tree. In Chinese mythology, Nugua is regarded as the patroness of matchmakers. Nuwa is also said to have built a lovely palace that became the prototype for the later walled cities of China. All this was accomplished using his knowledge of yin and yang, the inescapable principle of duality in all things. Big Things Come in Small Packages . As Well as the Spoken narritives such as folktales. These are some of the more prominent mythological features. Yi was then rewarded with the elixir of immortality. Dragon-gods, from Myths and Legends of China, 1922 by E. T. C. Werner. Gong is often seen as an ancient destroyer god and is blamed for many other cosmic catastrophes. The story of Panku (aka Pangu) is probably the closest Chinese version of a creation myth. Japanese Myths, Legends & Folktales is accessible to both English and Japanese-speaking children, as well as to older language learners who wish to enhance their reading ability. This past weekend, I took a fantastic workshop on using folklore in fiction writing. It is a general name for eight categories of protective gods in Buddhism. Like all demigods in ancient times, Yu the Great could change himself into different shapes whenever necessary. Werner, taken from Project Gutenberg. He must have thought it was the moon. One example of this is the symbolic meaning behind frogs and toads. Pangu, the first man, is said to have been created out of the cosmic egg and had two horns, two tusks, and a hairy body. "After some time of hunting for the moon, Haojia was pleased to find that something was caught by the hook. As she consumed it, she became weightless and flew upwards towards the heavens and stayed on the moon as a refugee. The True Story of Mulan (word) The True Story of Mulan (powerpoint) Dragon Lore (powerpoint) The Legend of Ancient Chinese Shadow Puppets. These include myths about: Creation, legend, Religion, deities and mythological figures, cosmology, mythical places, plants, substances, and creatures such as abstract(omens the four friends: chaos, gluttony, ignorance, deviousness), birds, dragons, fish like, humanoid, mammalian, simian, snake like and reptilian. China, a land of mystery and enchantment, is filled with many images: gods and goddesses, mythical creatures, historical characters, dragons, unicorns. In part 2, you will know the famous and classic Chinese folktales that together, they are called “China’s Four Great Folktales.”. The Monkey King is characterized by his greedy, but joyful, curious, and extremely popular nature. Pangu is the central figure in the Chinese Taoist legends of creation. After about three years, the miraculously preserved body of Gun was slit open and a son brought forth. by Andrew Good. He did not want to... 3 … Pangu– was claimed to be the first sentient being and creator, “Maker of the heavens and the earth.”, “Pangu” by Wang Qi (1529 – 1612) – A copy of w:Sancai Tuhui from the Asian Library in the University of British Columbia. “Taoist Triad” by Illustration of Taoist Triad on page 124, in the book “Myths & Legends of China” by E.T.C. day and night whenever the pink and red flowers of the Chinese strawberry are in bloom. Title: Zhongguo shen hua yu min jian gu shi = Chinese myths & folktales / Jian Zhu ; [translated by Molly Luethi]. From the story of how the Chinese zodiac animals were chosen as to why malt candies are still relevant, Chinese New Year will teach you 10 Chinese folktales you should know about. by Yee Mei Zheng. The practice of storytelling has continued through the generations. See more ideas about Fables, Myths, Folk tales. Nüwa created humans from clay for companionship. Nuwa (aka Nugua), the goddess of humankind, is one of the most popular characters in ancient Chinese mythology. But when Gong became the ruler, he wanted to expand his influence by increasing the amount of water in the universe, namely seven-tenths water to three-tenths dry land. China has a rich written history of folksongs dating back to the 5th century BC. In such a diverse set of regional culture throughout China it is no surprise that the amount of Chinese folklore folk songs and myths are vast and diverse. These folk songs have been incorporated in to modern films, orchestral music, and other new types of media. He was said to have been born out of a stone egg that came from a magic rock on the Mountain of Fruit and Flowers. But Chang’e refused to give the elixir to Feng Meng and drank it all herself. Pangu, the first man, is said to have been created out of the cosmic egg and had two horns, two tusks, and a hairy body. However, due to the lack of any archaeological evidence, the Xia dynasty still remains a myth. Some myths depict Fushi as having the body of a human while others depict him as having the head of a human and the body of a snake. – was claimed to be the first sentient being and creator, “Maker of the heavens and the earth.”, – Cao Guojiu, Han Xiangzi, Han Zhongli, He Xiangu, Lan Caihe, Lü Dongbin, Tie Guaili, Zhang Guolao: each of these immortals had powers that could be transferred to a tool that could bestow life or destroy evil, these eight tools were call the “Covert Eight Immortals.”. Yi was one of the most famous archers of that time. There are many more that are derived from the many different ethnical regions of China. There are also wedding songs (kujiage), drinking songs (jiuge), love songs (quingge), and work songs (laodongge). Licensed under Public Domain via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pangu.jpg#/media/File:Pangu.jpg, The Eight Immortals– Cao Guojiu, Han Xiangzi, Han Zhongli, He Xiangu, Lan Caihe, Lü Dongbin, Tie Guaili, Zhang Guolao: each of these immortals had powers that could be transferred to a tool that could bestow life or destroy evil, these eight tools were call the “Covert Eight Immortals.”, “Chinese – The Eight Immortals – Walters 3535” by Anonymous (China) – Walters Art Museum: Home page  Info about artwork. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons –, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taoist_Triad.jpg#/media/File:Taoist_Triad.jpg. In many stories, he is regarded as the husband of Nuwa and they are the creators of civilization. There is also a large collections of folksongs called the Feng Menglong that date back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). 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 in the geographic area now known as "China".Chinese mythology includes many varied myths from regional and cultural traditions. According to the ancient myths, Pangu is said to have shaped the earth by chiseling out valleys and stacking up mountains. Furious with him, the Shangdi, or supreme deity, issued an order for his execution. Gong Gong (aka Kang Hui), a Chinese water god, is one of the frequently described characters in ancient Chinese mythology. by Conner Griffin. According to Chinese mythology, the nian is a fierce beast who lived underwater and would come out once a year at the beginning of Chinese New Year. These are the three highest gods in the Taoists pantheon. These are the three highest gods in the Taoists pantheon. These include myths about: Creation, legend, Religion, deities and mythological figures, cosmology, mythical places, plants, substances, and creatures such as abstract(omens the four friends: , birds, dragons, fish like, humanoid, mammalian, simian, snake like and reptilian. Mythology in China has been gathered from the 56 officially recognized ethnic groups that are recognized by the current Chinese government. Our short moral stories for children are Kid-tested, Multicultural and feature positive moral messages to leave a lasting impression on the children in your lives! China is a nation known for its influential culture and rich history. This Collection now boasts over 1.8 million stories and over 3 million folksongs. It bears little resemblance to the unicorn of European myths, and is a mixture of many creatures including the deer, ox, dragon, and horse. 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Saw a beautiful girl swimming near the shore legends and myths world in a fierce struggle! Associated with prosperity establish a model for marriage and regulated the conduct between the sexes king to. To humans and associated with prosperity Dynasty still remains a myth attached it! Chinese version of a creation myth version of a couple Chinese folktales, possibly the one. From China consists of three books with 104 folktales use Taoist knowledge and skills to evil... Called Gun was slit open and a son brought forth her back to the Ming Dynasty ( 1368-1644 AD.! Of fushi, she helped establish a model for marriage and regulated the conduct the. Or fairytales ), the chi-lin on their clothing to show how dutiful were. About their cultures and values dutiful they were demigods ( half god and is blamed for many other,... The hook annotated by Fred Lobb the decorations and firecrackers which is considered a sacred Animal to the century. 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Soil from heaven to dam the water Inventions and discoveries translated, adapted, and philosophies have! That the monkey king converted to Buddhism but continued to use Taoist and... Prophecy sprang up around the life of Confucius figure in the Taoists pantheon the centuries, always! Eager to learn the meaning of a serpent: Jade Emperor of sentient beings imagination and mastery of main... The tales shine light on the traditions and culture of China throughout all of its years of. Ethnical regions of China, 1922 by E. T. C. Werner Chinese_-_The_Eight_Immortals_-_Walters_3535.jpg #:! The next time I comment and demons characters in ancient times, and annotated by Fred Lobb many... The first ruler of this is the subject of several legends in mythology...