Myths of the Central Plains provides an insight into ancient Chinese beliefs and legends, including creation stories, legendary emperors and heroes, nature myths, immortal deities, and mythical creatures. This book is part of the Chinese Civilisation series which seeks to inform, inspire and ignite curiosity about one of the world's oldest civilisations.
“The Central Plains is also a cultural concept, signifying the most orthodox Chinese culture in the traditional sense. The Central Plains, the birthplace of the Chinese nation, has long been regarded as the core area politically, economically and culturally in China, synonymous with the Chinese culture in the traditional sense. Its overwhelming importance was solidified in the earliest Chinese dynasties of Xia, Shang and Zhou, which all had their capitals near the city of Luoyang in Henan Province. Some historical facts placed Luoyang as the centre of the world in Chinese ancestors’ minds and identified the earliest concept of China as the Central Plains area.”
From the Preface
List of Figures
The Editorial Committee
Series Foreword
Preface
Chapter 1 Creation Myths
Pangu Creating the World
Nüwa Creating Humans
Fuxi Creating the Eight Trigrams
Suirenshi Bringing Fire to Humans
Chapter 2 Myths of Ancient Emperors
The Yan Emperor Benefitting Mankind
The Yellow Emperor Founding the Chinese Nation
The Battle of Zhuolu
Zhuanxu and Emperor Ku
The Great Emperor Yao
The Virtuous Emperor Shun
Emperor Yu Taming the Flood
Chapter 3 Myths of Ancient Heroes
Houyi Shooting the Suns
Kuafu Chasing the Sun
Ebo Stealing Fire
Chapter 4 Nature Myths
Myths of the Sun and the Moon
The Goddess Chang’e Flying to the Moon
The Myth of the Yellow River
The Myth of the Luohe River
Chapter 5 Myths of the Immortals
Gonggong Overturning the Pillar
The Goddess of the Silkworm, Leizu
The Goddess of Earth, Houtu
Xuannü and Sunü
Chapter 6 Myths of the Spirits and Monsters
The Myth of the Chinese Dragon
The Myth of the Chinese Phoenix
The Myth of the Four Spirits
The Myth of Jingwei
Concluding Remarks
Appendix: A Brief Chronology of Chinese History
Index
Basic Information
- 978-629-7646-34-3 (Paperback)
