Introduction
Shennong Shi is the most sacrificial medical deity in Chinese mythology, celebrated for his exploration of herbal medicine through “tasting a hundred herbs”. Symbolizing humanity’s fearless pursuit of nature’s secrets, he is often depicted as a bovine-headed god holding a red whip. As both an ancient emperor from Shan Hai Jing and a spiritual predecessor of modern pharmacology, his legend bridges myth and science.
Origin
Shennong’s prototype first appeared in Shan Hai Jing·Great Wilderness Western Classic (《山海经·大荒西经》), solidified in Huainanzi (《淮南子》). Legend states he was Yan Emperor’s tribal chief who invented farming tools and taught agriculture. Warring States Guanzi detailed his “encountering 70 poisons in a single day”, while Han Dynasty Shennong Bencaojing (《神农本草经》) was attributed to him. Modern archaeology links Neolithic medicinal plant remains in the Yangtze River basin to his legend.
Plot Overview
- Humanitarian Impulse: Tribes suffered from plant poisoning, prompting Shennong’s quest
- Scientific Exploration:
- Used a red whip to test herb properties
- Personally sampled 365 plants (corresponding to annual days)
- Discovered tea’s (Camellia sinensis) detoxifying effects
- Medical System:
- Classified herbs into “superior” (tonics), “medium” (regulators), “inferior” (cures)
- Invented acupuncture using stone needles
- Tragic Ending: Died from tasting Gut-Bursting Grass (Gelsemium elegans)
Relationships
- Yellow Emperor (黄帝): Ally who co-founded Chinese civilization
- Chi You (蚩尤): Tribal rival battling Yellow Emperor for dominance
- Hou Yi (后裔): Fellow Yan Emperor warrior known for shooting the suns
- Jingwei (精卫): Daughter of Yan Emperor, famous for sea-filling
Literary Sources
- Shan Hai Jing·Great Wilderness Western Classic (《山海经·大荒西经》, Pre-Qin): Earliest record
- Huainanzi (《淮南子》, Western Han): Adds “red whip” details
- Shennong Bencaojing (《神农本草经》, Han Dynasty): Attributed herbal classic
Folk Festivals & Customs
- Medicine King Festival (28th day of the 4th lunar month)
- Hubei Suizhou hosts global TCM ancestor-worshipping ceremony
- Perform “Shennong Whipping Herbs” rituals to crown “Herb Fairy”
- Cold Food Festival (Day before Qingming):
- Shanxi residents observe fire-ban to honor his fire-controlling legacy
Spiritual Significance
Shennong embodies experimental scientific spirit:
- Transforming empirical knowledge into systematic theory
- Individual sacrifice for collective welfare
- Ecological wisdom of human-nature harmony
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