Introduction
Xihe is the most maternal sun goddess in Chinese mythology, celebrated for “steering the sun chariot” as guardian of time and light. Often depicted driving a dragon-pulled chariot with a sundial, she symbolizes natural rhythms and life cycles. As both Di Jun’s wife from Shan Hai Jing and an inspiration for modern solar physics, her legend bridges myth and science.
Origin
Xihe’s prototype first appeared in Shan Hai Jing·Great Wilderness Southern Classic (《山海经·大荒南经》), solidified in Huainanzi (《淮南子》). Legend states she was Di Jun’s wife who daily traversed the sky in a six-dragon chariot. Warring States Guicang (《归藏》) added her “birthing ten suns” creation myth, while Han Dynasty Records of the Grand Historian (《史记》) incorporated her into astronomical officials. Modern solar physics finds scientific metaphors in her chariot legend.
Core Plot
Temporal Order:
- Measured solar trajectories with a sundial, establishing early calendars (philosophical parallel to atomic clocks)
- Instituted “ten-day weeks” influencing East Asian time systems
Catastrophe Management:
- Dispatched Hou Yi to shoot nine extra suns (coinciding with sunspot cycles)
- Bathed the sun in Ganyuan Pond to stabilize celestial mechanics
Cultural Integration:
- Taoism adopted her as Sun Star Lord, Buddhism localized her into Sunlight Bodhisattva
- Confucianism included her in “Heaven-revering” sacrificial rituals
Relationships
- Di Jun (帝俊): Spouse, ancient heavenly emperor
- Hou Yi (后羿): Executor who shot the suns
- Changxi (常羲): Sister, moon goddess
- Shao Hao (少昊): Son, one of the Five Emperors
Literary Sources
- Shan Hai Jing·Great Wilderness Southern Classic (《山海经·大荒南经》, Pre-Qin): Earliest sun-chariot record
- Huainanzi·Tianwenxun (《淮南子·天文训》, Western Han): Chariot mechanics details
- Guicang (《归藏》, Warring States): Adds “ten suns” creation myth
Folk Festivals & Customs
Sun Festival (1st day of the 2nd lunar month)
- Shandong Rizhao hosts sun-worshipping ceremonies with bathing rituals
- Make “Sun Buns” (太阳饼) with spiral patterns symbolizing chariot tracks
Sanfu Festival (3rd Geng day after Summer Solstice):
- Hebei regions explain heatwaves through Xihe mythology with cooling rituals
Modern Influence
- Space exploration: China’s solar probe named “Xihe Hao” (羲和号)
Spiritual Significance
Xihe embodies human interpretation of natural laws:
- Wisdom of harmonizing with nature
- Scientific enlightenment in time management
- Collective cooperation in disaster response