Chinese Mythology By: Aakash Panchal

Background The people of China have a rich and complicated mythology that dates back nearly 4,000 years. Throughout Chinese history, myth and reality have been intertwined. Historical figures have been worshiped as gods, and ancient myths are sometimes treated as historical truths. In addition, three great religious traditions— Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism—have played a role in shaping the mythology. With a recorded history reaching back practically to the Big Bang, China has had plenty of time to perfect its chamber of gods. Over the decades, primitive folk religion absorbed sophisticated ideas — the common sense of Confucious (Kongzi), the ritual and magic of Daoism, the sublime spirituality of Buddhism — to produce a stir-fry mix of Gods for all occasions.

Confucianism Confucianism is more of a philosophy than a true religion. It does not include gods and never developed a mythology of its own. Confucianism is concerned primarily with human affairs rather than with the spirit world or the afterlife. At the same time, however, it emphasizes the importance of ritual and devotion to elders and ancestors. Confucius lived in the sixth century BCE, a time of considerable political unrest and feuding. He taught the virtues of order, structure and correct behavior, which was underpinned by a rigid notion of hierarchy, involving strict loving devotion. Confucian notions of family are evident in the bureaucratic pantheon of Chinese myths.

Taoism Taoism, also known as Daoism, arose about the same time as Confucianism. This religious tradition had its roots in the nature worship of the earliest Chinese people. The word Tao means "way," and Taoist belief is based on the idea that there is a natural order or a "way to heaven" that one can come to know by living in harmony with nature. Through an understanding of natural laws, an individual can gain eternal life. Taoists seek knowledge through an understanding of the natural world.

Buddhism Buddhism arrived in China between 50 B . C . and A . D . 50, several hundred years after the rise of Confucianism and Taoism. One of its basic principles is that all suffering comes from earthly desire, and only by eliminating desire can one gain happiness. The founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, was an Indian prince who lived at about the same time as Confucius and Laozi. Gautama gave up his princely life to seek truth and wisdom. When these were revealed to him, he became the Buddha, or "enlightened one.“ Buddhists believe that humans live many lives and are continually reincarnated, or reborn, to a new form of existence after death.

History of the Chinese Dragon From about 2000 to 1500 B . C ., a people known as the Xia dominated the northern regions of China. The Xia worshiped the snake, a creature that appears in some of the oldest Chinese myths. Eventually, the snake changed into the dragon, which became one of the most enduring symbols of Chinese culture and mythology

Chinese Dragon The greatest creature in Chinese mythology is the legendary dragon. The dragon is a long snake-like creature with four legs each with long and dangerous claws. Some dragons are drawn with small wings, but they all have the magical power to fly. Dragons were thought to have power over water and the weather. They can control storms, tornadoes, the ocean, and floods. The dragon was the symbol of the emperor. His throne was even called the Dragon Throne. It is said that the Yellow Emperor, who was one of the most famous emperors that was said to have started the Chinese civilization, turned into a dragon and flew to heaven when he died.

Myths Chinese mythology tells us about the first legendary rulers of Ancient China. These wise men and demigods ruled long before the first Chinese dynasty. The Three Sovereigns were powerful demigods who lived to be very old and brought peace and prosperity to the land during their rule. Fu Xi - Fu Xi was said to have invented fishing, trapping, and writing. His sister was Nuwa. It was Fu Xi and Nuwa who crafted the first humans out of clay. Nuwa - Nuwa was the sister of Fu Xi. She helped him to create humans and also repaired the wall of heaven. Shennong - Shennong's name means "Divine Farmer". He brought the knowledge of agriculture to the Chinese people. He invented the plow, axe, hoe, irrigation, and the Chinese calendar.