Introduction
Pangu is the most powerful creator deity in Chinese mythology, celebrated for his cosmic feat of “separating heaven and earth”. Symbolizing the transition from chaos to order, he is often depicted as a giant wielding an axe amid swirling yin-yang energies (阴阳二气). As both the cosmic architect from Sanwu Liji (《三五历纪》) and an ancient reflection of modern scientific cosmology, his legend bridges myth and reality.
Origin
Pangu’s prototype first appeared in the Three Kingdoms period Sanwu Liji (《三五历纪》), solidified in the Southern Dynasties Shuyiji (《述异记》). Legend states he emerged from a primordial egg, splitting chaos with a mysterious iron axe (玄铁巨斧) to form the universe. Tang Dynasty Yiwen Leiju (《艺文类聚》) integrated him into Taoist pantheon as the predecessor of the Three Pure Ones (三清), while Ming Dynasty Investiture of the Gods (《封神演义》) hinted at his incarnation as Patriarch Hongjun (鸿钧老祖). Modern astronomy finds striking parallels between his tale and the Big Bang theory.
Plot Overview
- Primordial Sleep: Pangu slumbered for 18,000 years within an egg-shaped chaos
- Cosmic Cleavage: Split the chaos with a mysterious iron axe (玄铁巨斧), light qi (气) rising to heaven, heavy qi (气) sinking to earth
- Sky-Supporting Giant: Grew 3 meters daily for 18,000 years, separating heaven and earth by 45,000 km
- Divine Transmutation:
- Breath → Wind, clouds, thunder
- Eyes → Sun, moon, stars
- Blood → Yangtze (长江), Yellow Rivers (黄河)
- Hair → Forests, vegetation
- Bones → Mineral resources
Relationships
- Patriarch Hongjun (鸿钧老祖): Ming Dynasty texts suggest he is Pangu’s spiritual incarnation
- Three Pure Ones (三清): Taoist supreme deities formed from Pangu’s soul
- Nüwa (女娲): Subsequent creator who fashioned humans in his cosmic framework
Literary Sources
- Sanwu Liji (《三五历纪》, Three Kingdoms): Earliest complete account of world creation
- Shuyiji (《述异记》, Southern Dynasties): Adds the yin-yang dualism (阴阳二元论) of “Pangu couple”
- Journey to the West (《西游记》, Ming): Monkey King’s birth stone linked to Pangu’s relics
Folk Festivals & Customs
- Spring Festival (1st day of the 1st lunar month)
- Southern regions hang “Pangu All-Heaven Map” (天地全神图) for protection
- Make “Chaos Dumplings” (混沌团子) with glutinous rice, symbolizing pre-creation state
- Pangu Temple Fair (9th day of the 9th lunar month)
- Henan Tongbai Mountain hosts global Chinese ancestor-worshipping ceremony (祭祖大典)
- Perform “Pangu Boxing” (盘古拳), mimicking creation movements
Spiritual Significance
Pangu embodies pioneering cosmic ethics:
- From nothingness to creation (chaos→order)
- Individual sacrifice for universal life (body→nature)
- Dynamic balance of yin-yang (阴阳) (light qi→heaven, heavy qi→earth)
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