General IntroductionGeneral IntroductionExercisesExercisesUnit GoalsLead-in ActivityLead-in ActivityReviewReview To know and be able to tell about the historical figures in Chinese mythology To be familiar with the historical development of Chinese mythology To understand the common themes and features of Chinese mythology To learn about some differences and similarities of the Chinese creation story and the biblical story To learn useful words and expressions that relate to Chinese mythology and improve English language skillsUnit GoalsUnit GoalsLead-in ActivityLead-in Activity Thus we hope to teach mythology not as a study, but as a relaxation from study; to give our work the charm of a story-book, yet by means of it to impart knowledge of an important branch of education. -Thomas BulfinchIs mythology the same as religion? As far as you know, how was the world created? Have you heard of other creation stories besides Pan Gu? What do you know about Genesis in the Bible?What themes do you think are particularly stressed in Chinese mythology? Lead-in Questions Lead-in QuestionsLead-in ActivityLead-in ActivityMore Pan Gu Change Match the mythical figures in the pictures with their stories by putting each of the names in the corresponding cell.HouyiKuafuNwa The Eight ImmortalsSuiPhoenixone of the four Chinese auspicious and mythical beasts, along with the Chinese dragon, tortoise and Qilina god who broke through the chaos and created the worlda god who drilled wood to make a firea goddess who mended the sky and created humanswife of the legendary hero Houyi and later inhabited the Moon Palace with the Jade Rabbit and the woodcutter Wu Ganga god who chased the suna group of legendary Taoist immortalsa great archer who shot down nine extra sunsphoenixphoenixLead-in ActivityLead-in ActivityPan GuPan GuSuiSuiNwaNwaChangeChangeKuafuKuafuThe Eight ImmortalsThe Eight ImmortalsHouyiHouyiOrigin of Chinese MythologyGeneral IntroductionGeneral IntroductionFeatures of Chinese MythologyThemes in Chinese MythologyRoots of Chinese MythologyMyths About ManMyths About HeroesMyths About GodsMyths About Animals Mythology is a body of myths concerning a particular person or race. Ancient Chinese mythology was created with the wildest imagination by people in primitive ages when faced with the unknown.Since almost every ethnic group has its own mythical gods and stories about their creative actions, there is not a systematic, integrated, and homogeneous “Chinese mythology” held and transmitted by all the Chinese people.Myths in ancient China were usually spread in scattered and fragmented forms in various written material. These sources contain information about archaeology, literature, philosophy, geography, history, witchcraft, ethnography, religion, folklore, and so on.Origin of Chinese Mythology The people of China have a rich and complicated mythology that dates back nearly 4000 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.Three great religious traditions Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism have played a role in shaping the mythology.Shanhaijing (The Classic of Mountains and Seas), Chuci (The Songs of Chu), and Huainanzi are thought to be the major repositories of Chinese ancient myths.Origin of Chinese Mythology Shanhaijing -An encyclopedia of ancient China, It provides a lot of detailed information about mountains and seas, myths, witchcraft, and religion of ancient China. It had a great impact on Chinese literature. Both Shijing (The Book of Songs) and lots of outstanding poems, legends and novels of later ages were all based on myths in Shanhaijing with some adaptation and creation.Origin of Chinese Mythology Most China can trace its historical roots in an unbroken line for more than 4,000 years, and its mythological roots extend even farther back in time. From about 2000 to 1500 B.C., a people known as the Xia dominated the northern regions of China. Roots of Chinese Mythology From about 1500 to 1066 B.C., China entered the Shang dynasty. People at that time worshiped many deities, including natural forces and elements such as rain, clouds, rivers, mountains, the sun, the moon, and the earth. Their greatest deity, Shang Di, remains an important god in the Chinese pantheon.Roots of Chinese Mythology When a new dynasty, the Zhou, came to power in China in 1066 B.C., significant changes took place in religion. People still worshiped the old gods, but ancestor worship became increasingly important. Confucianism and Taoism appeared near the end of the Zhou dynasty. These two religious traditions have had an enormous influence on the development of the most basic and lasting principles of Chinese culture.Roots of Chinese Mythology Shortly before 100 A.D., Buddhism arrived in China from India and added another important influence to Chinese culture and mythology. Buddhist ideas gradually merged with Taoism and Confucianism in the minds of many Chinese. Roots of Chinese Mythology Several common themes appear throughout much of Chinese mythology. Among the most significant are the creation of the world out of chaos, the importance of nature, and reverence for ancestors.Themes in Chinese Mythology Mythical stories are entwined with history. Feature l: They sing the praises of labor and creation.Feature 2: They extol perseverance and self-sacrifice.Feature 3: They praise rebellion against oppression.Feature 4: They eulogize the yearning for true love.Feature 5: They encourage good deeds and warn against sin.Features of Chinese Mythology The first living creature and the creator of the world. Among his acts of creation were the separation of the earth and sky, the placement of the stars and planets in the heavens, and the shaping of the earths surface. Pan Gu Myths About Man Nwa (also referred to as N Kwa) appeared in literature no earlier than 350 BC. Her companion, Fuxi, (also called Fu Hsi) was her brother and husband. They are sometimes worshiped as the ultimate ancestor of all humankind, and are often represented as half-snake, half-humans. It is sometimes believed that Nwa molded humans from clay for companionship. She repaired the sky after Gong Gong damaged the pillar supporting the heavens. Nwa Myths About Man Mentioning myths about gods, we should keep in mind that popularly known gods are closely intermingled with religions, mainly Religious Taoism and Buddhism.Myths About Gods On the basis of legends and folk tales, the supreme lord is the Jade Emperor(玉皇大帝) who had his Court, palace, ministers, etc.The major gods were the Queen Mother of the West(西王母娘娘), the Eight Immortals(八仙), the Bodhisattvas(菩萨), the four Heavenly Kings(四大天王), Buddhas(佛), Arhats(罗汉)Myths About Gods Houyi shot down the sunsThe sun is sometimes symbolized as a three-legged crow called a sunbird. There were ten of these sunbirds, each of whom are the offspring of Di Jun, God of the Eastern Heaven. The ten sunbirds resided in a mulberry tree in the Eastern Sea; each day one would travel around the world on a carriage, driven by Xihe, Mother of the Suns. Eventually, the sunbirds grew tired of the routine and decided that all of them were to rise at the same time. The heat on earth became intense. As a result, crops shriveled in the fields. Lakes and ponds dried up. Human and non-human animals cowered in shelters or collapsed from exhaustion. Time passed and the suffering continued. Emperor Yao decided to plead for divine intervention and to ask Di Jun for aid. Di Jun was well aware of his sons misdeeds and sent for Houyi, the God of Archery, to teach his sons a lesson. Di Jun wanted Houyi to simply frighten them so that they would not dare to cause mischief again. Houyi, too, wanted to settle this crisis peacefully, but a single glance at the scorched land was enough to convince him that desperate measures were needed. Angered by the suffering of the people caused by the Sun-birds misconduct, Houyi lifted up his bow and shot them down one by one. Upon killing the ninth, Emperor Yao hurried to halt him as killing the last one would leave the world in total darkness. Houyi agreed and was hailed as a hero for mankind, but later, Houyis actions caused him to make enemies in Heaven and as a result he was punished with divine wrath. Myths About Heroes One day, Kuafu decided to chase and catch the Sun. With each stride he gets closer to the Sun, however, he could never catch up to it. He followed the Sun from the East to the West, draining all rivers and lakes crossing his path as sources of water to quench his burning thirst as he closed in on the star. However, he wasnt able to finish his quest because he died of the extreme heat and exhaustion. The wooden club he was carrying grew into a vast forest. In one version, Kua Fu turns into a mountain range. In modern Chinese usage, the story of Kua Fu chasing the Sun is used to describe a person who fails to obtain his goal because he greatly overestimates himself. Kuafu Myths About Heroes Emperor Huang DiMyths About Heroes Emperor Yao， Shun， YuMyths About Heroes Gods, Creators, and Heroes: In some mythological traditions, gods took on animal form. Although supernatural animals were not gods themselves, they were often created, given power, or protected by the gods.Myths About Animals Jingwei is a bird in Chinese mythology, transformed from the daughter of Yandi named Nwa (different from the goddess Nwa who created mankind and repaired the heavens). After she drowned when playing in the Eastern Sea, she metamorphosed into a bird called Jingwei. Jingwei is determined to fill up the sea, so she continuously carries a pebble or twig in her mouth and drops it into the Eastern Sea. Jingwei Myths About Animals Butterfly: In Chinese culture the Butterfly represents love, specifically young love. Happily flitting from flower to flower, it signifies a happy social life for the young and young heart. Chinese legend has it that the butterfly symbolizes an undying bond between lovers.Myths About Animals Crane: The Crane is legendary in China for being the prince of all feathered creatures on earth. Next to the Phoenix, the Crane is the most favored of all Chinese bird symbols. The Crane is the ancient symbol for longevity because of its exceptionally long life span. In many legends, the spirits ride on cranes, which are also said to bear the souls of the departed to the heavens.Myths About Animals Horse: The seventh of the Chinese Zodiac Signs, the horse represents endurance, loyalty, and purity to the Buddhist way of thinking. It is also a symbol for quick advancement in rank, and, recognition of strength.Myths About Animals Magpie: This Chinese animal symbol translates into the bird of joy. It is believed that when the Magpie nests in your house, it brings much cause for celebration and many happy occasions. Myths About Animals Tricksters: Many myths feature animal tricksters, mischievous and unpredictable beings who use deceit, magic, or cleverness to fool others. Although some tricksters are just playing pranks, others act in harmful ways. Occasionally, the tricksters themselves wind up being tricked or trapped. Their limited magical powers may echo the greater powers of the gods.Myths About Animals Monsters: From the great sea beast called Leviathan in the Bible to the mutant lizard Godzilla of modern science fiction movies, monstrous animals appear in many kinds of myths. Monsters represent our darkest fears: chaos and uncontrollable destruction. A monster is more than just a large or fierce animal. It is something abnormal, something that breaks the laws of society.Myths About Animals Review ReviewReviewUseful ExpressionCritical Thinking Review Review Review Useful Expression Useful Expressionthe creation of the world; genesis; advance with giant stridesdescendants of Emperors Yan and Huanga mythical bird Jingwei tries to fill the ocean with twigs and pebbesNwa mending the skyKuafu chasing the suna persistent spirit triumphs over mountainous tasksthe cowherd and the weaving maidChange flying/ascending to the moonsomeone who is very virtuous and highly respected by peoplewith whole-hearted dedication, old and rock will crack open开天辟地炎黄子孙精卫填海女娲补天夸父逐日愚公移山牛郎织女嫦娥奔月百鸟朝凤精诚所至金石为开 Critical Thinking Critical ThinkingDiscuss the following topics:1) In which way is Chinese mythology related to Chinese religion, especially religious Taoism and Buddhism?2) What are the characteristics of Chinese mythology?3) How is peoples real social life reflected in Chinese mythology?Fill in the blanks according to the knowledge youve learned about Chinese mythology.ExercisesExercisesMore1) Mythology is a body of concerning a particular person or race.2) Chinese mythology is similar to modern .3) A is a story considered sacred and true, while a is a story handed down from generation to generation that has no real evidence to back it up.4) To some people Shanhaijing is considered as an of ancient China，as it provides a lot of detailed information in ancient times.5) Three great religious traditions , and have played important roles in shaping the mythology.6) _for family and ancestors is an important element of Confucianism.7)In Chinese mythology,_ was the first living creature and the creator of the world.mythsreligionmythslegendencyclopediaConfucianism，Taoism， BuddhismReverencePan GuExercisesExercisesMoreMatch the information in Column A with the time period in Column B.Column A1) the appearance of Confucianism and Taoism2) the arrival of Buddhism3) snake (later dragon) worship4) Shang Di worship5) deities reflecting a hierarchy in governmentColumn BA.The XiaB.The ShangC.The ZhouD. the Qin E.Before A.D.100ExercisesExercisesShanhaijing is no more than an ancient Chinese mythology book. The dragon was worshiped by the Chinese people from the very beginning of our culture.Emperor Shi Huangdi of the Qin dynasty ordered the burning of all books on medicine prophecy and farming.When Buddhism first arrived in China from India, it was rejected by the Chinese people who held Taoism and Confucianism. In the past, Taoists believed that one way to gain immortality was to drink magic potions. In the story of Gun（鲧）（鲧） and Yu, the floods were caused because Gun stole the “growing earth” from the Heavenly God and was killed by the God.The one prevailing characteristic of Chinese mythology is that China s mythical stories either created by primitive people or written by scholars are full of human feelings.Tell whether the following statements are true or false. Write T if the statement is true and F if it is false.FFFFTFT