Chinese Mythology: Liuhe Filling the River
Long, long ago, there lived a bad-tempered Long king in the Qiantang River. He and his shrimp soldiers and crab generals always bullied the people, causing the tides to rise…
Chinese mythology: Lei Shen (the Thunder God)
Legend has it that Lei Shen (the god of thunder, 雷神) lives in Leize （雷泽）, which has the head of a man and the body of a Long （dragon, 龙）.…
Chinese Mythology: The Legend of the Year (Nian)
Legend has it that in ancient China, there was a monster called “Nian （年）” that was extremely fierce and would come ashore every year to harm people and livestock. Every…
Chinese Folk Tale: The Lamplighter Girl
In the Ming Dynasty, a woman named Mu Ding lived in Luji Village, Huize County. She was diligent but lived in poverty due to heavy taxes. Mu Ding was clever…
Chinese myth: Yue Lao
In the second year of Yuanhe in the Tang Dynasty, a scholar named Wei Gu went to Qinghe to visit a friend. On the way, he stayed at the Nandian…
Chinese Folktale: Gan Jiang and Mo Ye
In the Spring and Autumn Period, there was a couple of skilled swordsmiths named Gan Jiang （干将） and Mo Ye （莫邪）. They forged two swords for King Helu of Wu,…
Chinese Myth: Yu Gong Moving Mountains
Taihang and Wangwu mountains are very huge. They cover an area of seven hundred li and are seven or eight thousand zhang high. They were originally located to the south…
The Celestial Dog Devouring the Moon: Mythology, Folklore, and Cultural Significance in Chinese Tradition
In Chinese mythology, the “Celestial Dog Devouring the Moon” is a captivating tale that blends astronomical phenomena with ancient beliefs. Originally described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shan…
The Legend of Carp Leaping Through the Dragon Gate: A Myth of Transformation in Chinese Culture
Introduction: The myth of carp leaping through the Dragon Gate is one of China’s most iconic legends, depicting Yellow River carp overcoming daunting challenges to transform into divine dragons. This…
He Xiangu: The Taoist Goddess of Mercy and Enlightenment
Introduction: He Xiangu is the only female member of the Eight Immortals in Chinese Taoism, embodying purity, wisdom, and benevolence. Often depicted holding a lotus or peach, she is revered…