Chinese Folktale: Hou Ji, God of Agriculture
Hou Ji （后稷）, a descendant of the Huang Di and the founder of the Zhou Dynasty, with the surname Ji and the name Abraham, was honoured as the King of…
Kunpeng Transformation: Mythological Metaphor of Taoist Philosophy
Mythical Creature Analysis Kunpeng: The most philosophically significant beast in Chinese mythology, originating from Zhuangzi·Xiao Yao You‘s “fish in the Northern Dark Sea named Kun”. Its prototype combines Shan Hai…
Yinglong Legend: The Creation Epic of Chinese Dragon
Divine Dragon Analysis Yinglong: The most meritorious creation deity in Chinese mythology, described in Shan Hai Jing as having “wings on back, scaly body with spinal spines”. As totem of…
Chinese Folklore: The Story of Shun
Historical Background Shun: One of the Five Emperors, recorded in Records of the Grand Historian as “Chonghua” with state name “Youyu”. The painted dragon plates from Taosi ruins (2300-1900 BCE)…
Emperor Ku: The Founder of Chinese Civilization
Historical & Mythological Analysis Emperor Ku: Third of the Five Emperors, recorded in Records of the Grand Historian as “Qun” with title Gaoxin. Therefore, many people say that he is…
Emperor Zhuanxu: The Founder of Chinese Order
Historical & Mythological Analysis Zhuanxu: Second of the Five Emperors, recorded in Records of the Grand Historian as grandson of Huangdi. The dragon-tiger clam tomb at Puyang Xishuipo (4500 BCE)…
Shaohao: The Founder of Chinese Bird Totemism
Historical & Mythological Analysis Shaohao: One of the Five Emperors, recorded in Records of the Grand Historian as “Zhi” with title Jintian. Bird-shaped jade artifacts from Dawenkou culture (4300-2500 BCE)…
The Mythical Origins of Chinese Dragons and Phoenixes: Eternal Symbols of Oriental Auspiciousness
Ⅰ. Core Characters’ Profiles 1. Dragon (Long) Appearance: Deer antlers, serpentine body, fish scales, crocodile claws, and golden scales covering its body. It can change size and is surrounded by…
Feng Bo and Yu Shi: The Celestial Guardians of Nature
I. Divine Profiles Feng Bo (Feilian) Appearance: Deer body with snake tail, bird-like head, two green snakes hanging from ears Powers: Controls all eight winds, generates tornadoes, symbolizes vital qi…
Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan: The Founding Ancestor of Chinese Civilization
I. Profile The Yellow Emperor, surnamed Gongsun and named Xuanyuan, was the legendary ruler of Youxiong Kingdom (present-day Xinzheng, Henan Province). Ancient texts describe him as divinely born with speaking…