Myths and legends of china 中国神话故事英文

中国上古神话英语作文In the misty dawn of ancient China, a rich tapestry of myths and legends emerged, weaving together the threads of a vibrant civilization. These timeless tales, passed down through generations, speak of powerful deities, heroic figures, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.One such legend tells of Pangu, the primordial being who emerged from the cosmic egg, separating the heavens and the earth. With his mighty axe, he carved out the mountains and valleys, shaping the world as we know it today. As he drew his final breath, his body transformed into the five sacred mountains, forever standing as a testament to his divine sacrifice.Another beloved myth recounts the epic journey of the goddess Nüwa, who took pity on the suffering of humanity and created mankind from yellow clay. When the pillars of heaven were shattered, threatening to bring about the end of the world, Nüwa melted down five-colored stones to repair the sky, ensuring the survival of her cherished creations.These ancient Chinese myths not only entertain but also impart valuable lessons about the virtues of courage, compassion, and harmony with nature. They serve as a bridge connecting the present to the distant past, reminding us of the wisdom and resilience of our ancestors. Through these enduring tales, the spirit of ancient China lives on, forever etched in the collective memory of its people.中文翻译：在中国上古时期的迷雾晨曦中,一幅丰富多彩的神话传说画卷徐徐展开,编织出一个生机勃勃的文明之网。

Chinese MythologyChinese mythology (中国神话) is a collection of cultural history, folktales, and religions that have beenpassed down in oral or written tradition. These include creation myths and legends and myths concerning the founding of Chinese culture and the Chinese state. Like many mythologies, it has in the past been believed to be, at least in part, a factual recording of history.Historians have conjectured that the Chinese mythology began in the 12th century BCE. The myths and legends were passed down in oral form for over a thousand years, before being written in books such as Shan Hai Jing. Other myths continued to be passed down through oral traditions like theater and song, before being recorded as novels such as Hei'an Zhuan - Epic of Darkness (literally Epic of the Darkness). This collection of epic legends is preserved by a community of Chinese Han nationality, inhabitants of the Shennongjia mountain area in Hubei, and contains accounts from the birth of Pangu up to the historical era.Imperial historical documents and philosophical canons such as Shangshu, Shiji, Liji, Lüshi Chunqiu, and others, all contain Chinese myths.Creation mythsChinese creation myths explain the legendary beginnings of the universe, earth, and life.Early Chinese texts recorded fragments of creation stories. The Zhuangzi and Huainanzi cosmogonically mention Hundun. The Shujing and Guoyu describe the separation of Heaven and Earth during the legendary era of Zhuanxu. The Huainanzi and Chuci say that Nüwa created the first humans from yellow clay and repaired the fallen pillars of Heaven (cf. Axis mundi).One of the most popular creation myth in Chinese mythology describes Pangu 盤古separating the world egg-like Hundun 混沌"primordial chaos" into Heaven and Earth. However, none of the ancient Chinese classics mentions the Pangu myth, which was first recorded in the (3rd century CE) Sanwu Liji三五歴記"Record of Cycles in Threes and Fives", written by Three Kingdoms period Daoist author Xu Zheng. Derk Bodde paraphrases.Heaven and Earth were once inextricably commingled (hun-tun) like a chicken's egg, within which was engendered P'an-ku (a name perhaps meaning "Coiled-up Antiquity"). After 18,000 years, this inchoate mass split apart, what was bright and light forming Heaven, and what was dark and heavy forming Earth. Thereafter, during another 18,000 years, Heaven daily increased ten feet in height, Earth daily increased ten feet in thickness, and P'an-ku, between the two, daily increased ten feet in size. This is how Heaven and Earth came to be separated by their present distance of 9 million li (roughly 30,000 English miles). (1961:382-3)The (ca. 4th century BCE) Daodejing suggests a less mythical Chinese cosmogony and has some of the earliest allusions to creation.There was something featureless yet complete, born before heaven and earth; Silent – amorphous – it stood alone and unchanging. We may regard it as the mother of heaven and earth. Not knowing its name, I style it the "Way." (tr. Mair 1990:90)The Way gave birth to unity, Unity gave birth to duality, Duality gave birth to trinity, Trinity gave birth to the myriad creatures. The myriad creatures bear yin on their back and embrace yang in their bosoms. They neutralize these vapors and thereby achieve harmony. (tr. Mair 1990:9)Later Daoists interpreted this sequence to mean the Dao "Way", formless Wuji "Without Ultimate", unitary Taiji "Great Ultimate", and binary yin and yang or Heaven and Earth.The (ca. 4th-3rd centuries BCE) Taiyi Shengshui "Great One gave birth to water", a Daoist text recently excavated in the Guodian Chu Slips, offers an alternate creation myth, but analysis remains uncertain.The (ca. 120 CE) Lingxian靈憲, by the polymath Zhang Heng, thoroughly accounts for the creation of Heaven and Earth.Before the Great Plainness (or Great Basis, Taisu 太素) came to be, there was dark limpidity and mysterious quiescence, dim and dark. No image of it can be formed. Its midst was void; its exterior was non-existence. Things remained thus for long ages; this is called obscurity (mingxing溟涬). It was the rootof the Dao. … When the stem of the Dao had been grown, creatures ca me into being and shapes were formed. At this stage, the original qi split and divided, hard and soft first divided, pure and turbid took up different positions. Heaven formed on the outside, and Earth became fixed within. Heaven took it body from the Yang, so it was round and in motion; Earth took its body from the Yin, so it was flat and quiescent. Through motion there was action and giving forth; through quiescence there was conjoining and transformation. Through binding together there was fertilization, and in time all the kinds of things werebrought to growth. This is called the Great Origin (Taiyuan 太元). It was the fruition of the Dao. (tr. Cullen 2008:47)The Neo-Confucianist philosopher Zhou Dunyi provided a multifaceted cosmology in his Taiji tushuo太極圖說"Diagram Explaining the Supreme Ultimate", which integrated the Yijing with Daoism and Chinese Buddhism.Zhou's Taiji tushuo diagramMajor concepts and figuresSome myths survive in theatrical or literary formats, as plays or novels. Important mythological fiction which is seen as definitive records of these myths include:•Verse poetry of ancient states such as Lisao by Qu Yuan of the Chu state.•Fengshen Bang (封神榜), or Investiture of the Gods, a mythological fiction dealing with the founding of the Zhou dynasty.•Journey to the West, by Wu Cheng'en and published in the 1590s, a fictionalised account of the pilgrimage of Xuanzang to India to obtain Buddhist religious texts, in which the pilgrims encounter ghosts, monsters, and demons as well as the Flaming Mountains.•Baishe Zhuan, a romantic tale set in Hangzhou involving a female snake who attained human form and fell in love with a man.Shangdi (上帝)Shangdi (上帝, pinyin: Shàngdì, Wade-Giles Shang Ti, lit. "High Sovereign") refers to a god or a powerregarded as the spiritual ultimate by the Chinese people during the Shang Dynasty.[1] According to Yanxia Zhao, evidence shows that Shangdi was probably more transcendental than immanent, only workingthrough lesser gods.[2] During the Zhou Dynasty, Shangdi was associated with Heaven (天Tiān).[3] By thetime of the Han dynasty, the influential Confucian scholar Zheng Xuan declared that "Shangdi is another name for Tian." Shangdi remains chiefly synonymous with Heaven in modern Chinese thought.First mentionThe earliest references to Shangdi are found in Oracle Bone inscriptions of the Shang Dynasty (ca. 1600 –ca. 1046 BC). Shangdi is first mentioned in Chinese Literature in the Five Classics, allegedly compiled by Confucius in the 6th century BC. The Wujing was a collection of five books that represented the pinnacle of Chinese culture at that time. The oldest parts of the Wujing were first written around 1000 BC, apparently relying on older texts. All of the five classics include references to Shangdi:Occurrences of Shangdi (上帝) in Wujing (五經)char pinyin English occurrence書經 Shujing Classic of History 32 times詩經 Shijing Classic of Poetry 24 times禮記 Liji Classic of Rites 20 times春秋 Chunqiu Spring and Autumn Annals 8 times易經 Yijing Classic of Changes 2 timesOther classics mention Shangdi as well. Another "Classic" collection, the Four Books (四書, pinyin: SìShū), mentions Shangdi also, but it is a later compilation and the references are much more sparse andabstract. The highest number of occurrences appear in the earliest references; this pattern may reflect increasing rejection of Shangdi over time.One of the five books in the Wujing is the Classic of History, (書經, pinyin: Shujing), aka Book of History, aka Esteemed Book (尚書, pinyin: Shangshu). The Shujing is possibly the earliest narrative of China, andmay predate the European historian Herodotus (about 440 BC) as a history by many centuries. This implies that Shangdi is the oldest deity directly referenced by any Chinese narrative literature. The Shujing itself is also divided into 5 parts, and those parts were actually considered books as well. However, the number of books or "documents" is a division that varies depending on the version or compilation. Therefore, quoted references may not match in different compilations.The 2nd of the 5 "books" inside the Shujing is called the "Book of Yu" (虞書, pinyin: Yushu). Yu, in this title, is a location, not the popular hero Yu (禹). This "book" has 4 "chapters"; and the 1st "chapter" is called the "Canon of Shun" (舜典, pinyin: Shun Dian). Emperor Shun was the predecessor to the heroic Da Yu (大禹), or Great Yu, the first emperor of the Xia Dynasty. About the third sentence is the first mentionof Shangdi. And, as it was mentioned in the previous section how yearly sacrifices to Shangdi were made by Emperor Shun, the Chinese belief in Shangdi may have been regarded as predating the Xia Dynasty.WorshipFrom the earliest eras of Chinese history, Shangdi was officially worshipped through sacrificial rituals. Shangdi is believed to rule over natural and ancestral spirits, who act as His ministers. Shangdi is thought to be the Supreme Guide of both the natural order and the human order. The ruler of China in every Chinese dynasty would perform annual sacrificial rituals to Shangdi at the great Temple of Heaven in the imperial capital. During the ritual a completely healthy bull would be slaughtered and presented as an animal sacrifice to Shangdi. It is important to note that Shangdi is never represented with either images or idols. Instead, in the center building of the Temple of Heaven, in a structure called the "Imperial Vault ofHeaven", a "spirit tablet" (神位, or shénwèi) inscribed with the name of Shangdi is stored on the throne,Huangtian Shangdi (皇天上帝). During an annual sacrifice, the emperor would carry these tablets to thenorth part of the Temple of Heaven, a place called the "Prayer Hall For Good Harvests", and place them on that throne.[4]Jade Emperor)Jade Emperor in a Ming Dynasty ink and color painting on silk, 16th century.The Jade Emperor (Chinese: 玉皇; pinyin: Yù Huáng or 玉帝Yù Dì) in Chinese folk culture, is the rulerof Heaven and all realms of existence below including that of Man and Hell, according to a version of Taoist mythology. He is one of the most important gods of the Chinese traditional religion pantheon. In actual Taoism, the Jade Emperor governs all of the mortals' realm and below, but ranks below the Three Pure Ones.The Jade Emperor is known by many names, including Heavenly Grandfather (天公Tiān Gōng) which is used by commoners; the Pure August Jade Emperor, August Personage of Jade (玉皇上帝Yu Huang Shangdi or 玉皇大帝Yu Huang Dadi); the Xuanling High Sovereign; and his rarely used, formal title, Peace Absolving, Central August Spirit Exalted, Ancient Buddha, Most Pious and Honorable, His Highness the Jade-Emperor, Xuanling High Sovereign (太平普度皇靈中天至聖仁義古佛玉皇大天尊).There are many stories in Chinese mythology involving the Jade Emperor.OriginIt was said that the Jade Emperor was originally the crown prince of the kingdom of Pure Felicity and Majestic Heavenly Lights and Ornaments. At birth, he emitted a wondrous light that filled the entire kingdom. When he was young, he was kind, intelligent and wise. He devoted his entire childhood to helping the needy (the poor and suffering, the deserted and single, the hungry and disabled). Furthermore, he showed respect and benevolence to both men and creatures. After his father died, he ascended the throne. He made sure that everyone in his kingdom found peace and contentment. After that, he told his ministers that he wished to cultivate Tao on the Bright and Fragrant Cliff.After 1,550 kalpas, each kalpa lasting for 129,600 years, he attained Golden Immortality. After another one hundred million years of cultivation, he finally became the Jade Emperor. (Using the given figures, this period before his becoming the Jade Emperor lasted for a total of about 200,880,000 years.)Vanquishing evilOne of the myths describes how the Jade Emperor became the monarch of all the deities in heaven. It is one of the few myths in which the Jade Emperor really shows his might.In the beginning of time, the earth was a very difficult place to live; a much harsher place to live in than itis now. People were having tremendous difficulty coping with existence; not only did they have to deal with harsh conditions, but also with all kinds of monstrous beings. At this time, there were also not many gods or deities to protect them. Furthermore, a lot of powerful, evil demons were defying the immortals of heaven. The Jade Emperor was still at the time an ordinary immortal who roamed earth to help as many people as he could. He was, however, saddened by the fact that his powers were limited and could onlyease the sufferings of humans. He decided to retreat in a mountain cave and cultivate his Tao. He passed 3,200 trials, each trial lasting about 3 million years.Unfortunately, a powerful, evil entity—a demon of sorts, which dwelt on earth—had the ambition to conquer the immortals and gods in heaven and proclaim sovereignty over the entire universe. This evil entity also went into retreat and meditation to expand its power, though later than the Jade Emperor. He passed through 3,000 trials each trial lasting for about 3 million years too. After it passed its final trial, it felt confident that no one could defeat it anymore. It re-entered the world again, and recruited an army of demons with the purpose of attacking heaven.The immortals, being aware of the threat, gathered themselves and prepared for war. The gods were unable to stop the powerful demon and it defeated them all.Fortunately, the Jade Emperor finished his cultivation in the midst of this war. He was changing the land to make it more liveable for men and repelling all kinds of monstrous beasts. Suddenly, he saw an evil glow emitting from heaven and knew something was amiss. He ascended and saw that a war was going on, he saw that the demon was too powerful to be stopped by any of the gods present. He went up and challenged the demon, and a battle ensued between them. Mountains shook and rivers and seas toppled; however, the Jade Emperor stood victorious due to his deeper and wiser cultivation, not for might but for benevolence. After defeating the demon, all the other demons were scattered by the gods and immortals.Because of his noble and benevolent deeds, the gods, immortals and humans proclaimed the Jade Emperor the supreme sovereign of all.CreationJade EmperorThe world started with 無極(wuji: nothingness) according to the Chinese creation myth, Jade Emperor was the head of the pantheon but not responsible to the creation process itself.According to another version of creation myth, the Jade Emperor fashioned the first humans from clay, but as he left them to harden in the sun, it rained, misshaping some of the figures, thus explaining the origin of sickness and physical abnormalities (The most common alternative Chinese creation myth states that human beings were once fleas on the body of Pangu.)The story above is also told as Nüwa, who fashions evil out of the mud from the Yellow River by hand. Those she made became the richer people of the earth. After getting lazy, she used a rope and swung it around. The drops that fell from the rope became the poorer humans.The princess and the cowherdIn another story[citation needed], popular throughout Asia and with many differing versions, the Jade Emperor has a daughter named Zhinü (simplified Chinese: 织女; traditional Chinese: 織女; pinyin: zhī nǚ orChih'nü, literally: weaver girl). She is most often represented as responsible for weaving colorful clouds in the heaven. In some versions she is the Goddess Weaver, daughter of the Jade Emperor and the Celestial Queen Mother, who weaves the Silver River (known in the West as the Milky Way), which gives light to heaven and earth. In other versions, she is a seamstress who works for the Jade Emperor.Every day Zhinü descended to earth with the aid of a magical robe to bathe. One day, a lowly cowherd named Niu Lang (Chinese: 牛郎; pinyin: niú láng) spotted Zhinü as she bathed in a stream. Niu Lang fellinstantly in love with her and stole her magic robe which she had left on the bank of the stream, leaving her unable to escape back to Heaven. When Zhinü emerged from the water, Niu Lang grabbed her and carried her back to his home.When the Jade Emperor heard of this matter, he was furious but unable to intercede, since in the meantime his daughter had fallen in love and married the cowherd. As time passed, Zhinü grew homesick and began to miss her father. One day, she came across a box containing her magic robe which her husband had hidden. She decided to visit her father back in Heaven, but once she returned, the Jade Emperor summoned a river to flow across the sky (the Milky Way), which Zhinü was unable to cross to return to her husband. The Emperor took pity on the young lovers, and so once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, he allows them to meet on a bridge over the river.The story refers to constellations in the night sky. Zhinü is the star Vega in the constellation of Lyra east of the Milky Way, and Niu Lang is the star Altair in the constellation of Aquila west of the Milky Way. Under the first quarter moon (7th day) of the seventh lunar month (around August), the lighting condition in the sky causes the Milky Way to appear dimmer, hence the story that the two lovers are no longer separated in that one particular day each year.The seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar is a holiday in China called Qixi Festival, which is a day for young lovers much like Valentine's Day in the West. In Japan, it is called Tanabata (star day), and in Korea, it is called Chilseok. If it rains on that day, it is said to be Zhinü crying tears of happiness in being reunited with her husband.The zodiacThere are several stories as to how the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac were chosen. In one, the Jade Emperor, although having ruled Heaven and Earth justly and wisely for many years, had never had the time to actually visit the Earth personally. He grew curious as to what the creatures looked like. Thus, he asked all the animals to visit him in heaven. The cat, being the most handsome of all animals, asked his friend the rat to wake him on the day they were to go to Heaven so he wouldn't oversleep. The rat, however, was worried that he would seem ugly compared to the cat, so he didn't wake the cat. Consequently, the cat missed the meeting with the Jade Emperor and was replaced by the pig. The Jade Emperor was delighted with the animals and so decided to divide the years up amongst them. When the cat learned of what had happened, he was furious with the rat and that, according to the story, is why cats and rats are enemies to this day. The cat however, does have a place in the Vietnamese zodiac, replacing the rabbit.His predecessor and successorThe Jade Emperor was originally the assistant of the Divine Master of the Heavenly Origin, Yuanshi Tianzun. Yuanshi Tianzun is said to be the supreme beginning, the limitless and eternal creator of Heaven and Earth, who picked Yu-huang, or the Jade Emperor, as his personal successor. The Jade Emperor willeventually be succeeded by the Heavenly Master of the Dawn of Jade of the Golden Door (金闕玉晨天尊).[1] The characters for both are stamped on the front of the arms of his throne. In two folk automaticwriting texts in 1925 and 1972 Guan Yu became the 18th Jade Emperor in about 1840 AD,[2][3][4] however some have disagreed that Guan Yu has succeeded, and thus the Jade Emperor and Guan Yu are often worshiped separately.[5] In Tienti teachings, the current jade emperor has 55 predecessors.[6]Worship and festivalsThe Jade Emperor's Birthday is said to be the ninth day of the first lunar month. On this day Taoist temples hold a Jade Emperor ritual (拜天公bài tiān gōng, literally "heaven worship") at which priests and laymen prostrate themselves, burn incense, and make food offerings.Chinese New Year's Eve is also a day of worship as it is said to be the day the Jade Emperor makes his annual inspection of the deeds of mortals and rewards or punishes them accordingly. On this day incense is burned in the home and offerings are made to the Jade Emperor and also to Zao Jun, the god of kitchen who reports to the Emperor on each family.Yuk Wong Po Tin in A Kung Ngam, Hong Kong.A temple in Hong Kong is located at A Kung Ngam and is also called "Yuk Wong Po Tin" (玉皇寶殿YuHuang Bao Dian). In the mid 19th century, people from Huizhou and Chaozhou mined stones in the hill for the development of the central urban area. They set up a shrine to worship Yuk Wong. At the beginning of the 20th century, the shrine was developed into a small temple and was renovated many times. The latest renovation was in 1992.Tian ( or Heaven)Tian (Chinese: 天; pinyin: tiān; Wade–Giles: t'ien; literally "Sky or heaven, heavens; god, gods") is one of the oldest Chinese terms for the cosmos and a key concept in Chinese mythology, philosophy, and religion. During the Shang Dynasty (17–11th centuries BCE) the Chinese called god Shangdi (上帝"lord on high")or Di ("lord"), and during the Zhou Dynasty (11th–3rd centuries BCE) Tian "heaven; god" became synonymous with Shangdi. Heaven worship was, for thousands of years, the orthodox state religion of imperial China.In the Chinese philosophical systems of Taoism and Confucianism, Tian is often translated as "Heaven"and is mentioned in relationship to its complementary aspect of Dì (地), which is most often translated as "Earth". These two aspects of Daoist cosmology are representative of the dualistic nature of Taoism. They are thought to maintain the two poles of the Three Realms (三界) of reality, with the middle realm occupied by Humanity (人Ren).Chinese Bronze script for tian天"heaven" Chinese Oracle script for tian天"heaven" CharactersTian's modern Chinese character 天combines da大"great; large" and yi一"one", but some of the original characters in Shang oracle bone script and Zhou bronzeware script anthropomorphically portray a large head on a great person. The ancient oracle and bronze ideograms for da大depict a stick figure person with arms stretched out denoting "great; large". The oracle and bronze characters for tian天emphasize the cranium of this "great (person)", either with a square or round head, or head marked with one or two lines. Since Shang scribes cut oracle inscriptions on bone or shell, their characters often have straight lines where later bronze inscriptions have curved lines. Schuessler (2007:495) notes the bronzegraphs for tian, showing a person with a round head, resemble those for ding丁"4th Celestial stem", andsuggests "The anthropomorphic graph may or may not indicate that the original meaning was 'deity', rather than 'sky'."Besides the usual 天, tian "heaven" has variant Chinese characters. Two early examples are 兲(written with 王"king" and 八"8") and the Daoist coinage 靝(with 青"blue" and 氣"qi", i.e., "blue sky"). OriginsThe sinologist Herrlee Creel, who wrote a comprehensive study on "The Origin of the Deity T'ien" (1970:493–506), gives this overview.For three thousand years it has been believed that from time immemorial all Chinese revered T'ien 天, "Heaven," as the highest deity, and that this same deity was also known as Ti 帝or Shang Ti 上帝. But the new materials that have become available in the present century, and especially the Shang inscriptions, make it evident that this was not the case. It appears rather that T'ien is not named at all in the Shang inscriptions, which instead refer with great frequency to Ti or Shang Ti. T'ien appears only with the Chou, and was apparently a Chou deity. After the conquest the Chou considered T'ien to be identical with the Shang deity Ti (or Shang Ti), much as the Romans identified the Greek Zeus with their Jupiter. (1970:493)Creel refers to the historical shift in ancient Chinese names for "god"; from Shang oracles that frequently used di and shangdi and rarely used tian to Zhou bronzes and texts that used tian more frequently than its synonym shangdi.First, Creel analyzes all the tian and di occurrences meaning "god; gods" in Western Zhou era Chinese classic texts and bronze inscriptions. The Yi Jing "Classic of Changes" has 2 tian and 1 di; the Shi Jing "Classic of Poetry" has 140 tian and 43 di or shangdi; and the authentic portions of the Shu Jing "Classic of Documents" have 116 tian and 25 di or shangdi. His corpus of authenticated Western Zhou bronzes (1970:464–75) mention tian 91 times and di or shangdi only 4 times. Second, Creel contrasts the disparity between 175 occurrences of di or shangdi on Shang era oracle inscriptions with "at least" 26 occurrences oftian. Upon examining these 26 oracle scripts that scholars (like Guo Moruo) have identified as tian天"heaven; god" (1970:494–5), he rules out 8 cases in fragments where the contextual meaning is unclear. Of the remaining 18, Creel interprets 11 cases as graphic variants for da "great; large; big" (e.g., tian i shang天邑商for da i shang大邑商"great settlement Shang"), 3 as a place name, and 4 cases of oracles recording sacrifices yu tian于天"to/at Tian" (which could mean "to Heaven/God" or "at a place called Tian".)The Shu Jing chapter "Tang Shi" (湯誓"Tang's Speech") illustrates how early Zhou texts used tian"heaven; god" in contexts with shangdi "god". According to tradition, Tang of Shang assembled his subjects to overthrow King Jie of Xia, the infamous last ruler of the Xia Dynasty, but they were reluctant to attack.The king said, "Come, ye multitudes of the people, listen all to my words. It is not I, the little child [a humble name used by kings], who dare to undertake what may seem to be a rebellious enterprise; but for the many crimes of the sovereign of Hsiâ [Xia] Heaven has given the charge [tianming, see Compounds below] to destroy him. Now, ye multitudes, you are saying, 'Our prince does not compassionate us, but (is calling us) away from our husbandry to attack and punish the ruler of Hsiâ.' I have indeed heard these words of you all; but the sovereign of Hsiâis an offender, and, as I fear God [shangdi], I dare not but punish him. Now you are saying, 'What are the crimes of Hsiâ to us?' The king of Hsiâ does nothing but exhaust the strength of his people, and exercise oppression in the cities of Hsiâ. His people have all become idle in his service, and will not assist him. They are saying, 'When will this sun expire? We will all perish with thee.' Such is the course of the sovereign of Hsiâ, and now I must go and punish him. Assist, I pray you, me, the one man, to carry out the punishment appointed by Heaven [tian]. I will greatly reward you. On no account disbelieve me; —I will not eat my words. If you do not obey the words which I have spoken to you, I will put your children with you to death; —you shall find no forgiveness." (tr. James Legge 1865:173–5)Having established that Tian was not a deity of the Shang people, Creel (1970:501–6) proposes a hypothesis for how it originated. Both the Shang and Zhou peoples pictographically represented da大as。

Chineselegends中国神话传说Chinese Myths and LegendsChinese legends reflect the dreams, history, and values of the Chinese people, and they link today with the past. Many of these tales are more than a thousand years old, but they are still popular today. In Chinese mythology, these gods and goddess who creates our creates the world, create our lives, and sacrifice themselves for us, represent the most valuable spirits or primitive dreams of Chinese people.Pangu Separates the Sky from the EarthIn the beginning there was nothing in the universe except a formless chaos. However this chaos coalesced into a cosmic egg for about 18,000 years. Within it, the perfectly opposed principles of Yin and Yang became balanced and Pangu emerged (or woke up) from the egg. Pangu is usually depicted as a primitive, hairy giant with horns on his head and clad in furs. Pangu set about the task of creating the world: he separated Yin from Yang with a swing of his giant axe, creating the Earth (murky Yin) and the Sky (clear Yang). To keep them separated, Pangu stood between them and pushed up the Sky. This task took 18,000 years; with each day the sky grew ten feet (3 meters) higher, the Earth ten feet wider, and Pangu ten feet taller. After the 18,000 years had elapsed, Pangu was laid to rest. His breath became the wind; his voice the thunder; left eye the sun and right eye the moon; his body became the mountains and extremes of the world; his blood formed rivers; his muscles the fertile lands; his facial hair the stars and milky way; his fur the bushes and forests; his bones the valuable minerals; his bone marrows sacred diamonds; his sweat fell as rain; and the fleas on his fur carried by the windbecame the fish and animals throughout the land.Nvwa Creates PeopleIt is said that Nvwa existed in the beginning of the world. She felt lonely and then the Goddess used the mud of the water bed to form the shape of humans. On the first day she created chickens. On the second day she created dogs. On the third day she created sheep. On the fourth day she created pigs. On the fifth day she created cows. On the sixth day she created horses. On the seventh day she began creating men from yellow clay. These humans were very smart since they were individually crafted. Nvwa then became bored of individually making every human so she started putting a rope in the water bed and lettings the drops of mud that fell from it become new humans. These small drops became new humans, not as smart as the first.Chang’E Flys to the MoonAccording to legend, Chang'e and her husband Houyi(后羿) were immortals living in heaven. One day, the ten sons of the Jade Emperor(玉帝) transformed into ten suns, causing the earth to scorch. Having failed to order his sons to stop ruining the earth, the Jade Emperor summoned Houyi for help. Houyi, using his legendary archery skills, shot down nine of the sons, but spared one son to be the sun. The Jade Emperor was obviously not pleased with Houyi's solution to save the earth: nine of his sons were dead. As punishment, the Jade Emperor banished Houyi and Chang'e to live as mere mortals on earth.Seeing that Chang'e felt extremely miserable over her loss of immortality, Houyi decided to journey on a long, perilous quest to find the pill of immortality so that the couple could be immortals again. At the end of his quest he met the Queen Mother of the West(西王母) who agreed to give him the pill, butwarned him that each person would only need half the pill to become immortal. Houyi brought the pill home and stored it in a case. He warned Chang'e not to open the case and then left home for a while. Like Pandora in Greek mythology, Chang'e became too curious: she opened up the case and found the pill just as Houyi was returning home. Nervous that Houyi would catch her discovering the contents of the case, she accidentally swallowed the entire pill. She started to float into the sky because of the overdose. Although Houyi wanted to shoot her in order to prevent her from floating further, he could not bear to aim the arrow at her. Chang'e kept on floating until she landed on the moon.While she became lonely on the moon without her husband, she did have company.A jade rabbit, who manufactured elixirs, also lived on the moon.Another companion is the woodcutter Wu Gang. The woodcutter offended the gods in his attempt to achieve immortality and was therefore banished on the moon. Wu Gang was allowed to leave the moon if he could cut down a tree that grew there.But as fast as he cuts into the tree, it heals itself, and he never makes any progress. The Chinese use this image of the cassia tree to explain mortal life on earth—the limbs are constantly being cut away by death, but new buds continually appear.。

介绍中国神话故事的英语作文初二全文共3篇示例，供读者参考篇1Introduction to Chinese Mythological StoriesChinese mythology is a rich tapestry of folklore, legends, and myths that have been passed down through generations. These stories are filled with supernatural beings, deities, and heroes, each offering a glimpse into the culture, history, and beliefs of ancient China. In this essay, we will explore some of the most famous Chinese mythological stories that continue to captivate readers and listeners around the world.One of the most well-known figures in Chinese mythology is the Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong. He is the central character in the classic novel "Journey to the West," which tells the tale of his journey to India to retrieve sacred scriptures. The Monkey King possesses incredible strength and agility, as well as the ability to transform into different creatures and objects. His mischievous antics and daring exploits make him a beloved figure in Chinese folklore.Another popular mythological story is that of the Eight Immortals, a group of legendary figures who are said to possess immortality and magical powers. Each of the Eight Immortals has their own unique abilities and attributes, such as healing, enlightenment, and transformation. They are often depicted riding on magical animals and wielding powerful weapons as they roam the earthly realm, helping those in need and spreading wisdom and compassion.The story of Chang'e, the goddess of the Moon, is another well-known Chinese mythological tale. According to legend, Chang'e consumed a pill of immortality and ascended to the Moon, where she now resides in solitude. Her story is often associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated with mooncakes and lanterns to honor her memory.In addition to these famous stories, Chinese mythology is filled with a wealth of other captivating tales that showcase the country's long and rich history. From the creation myth of Pangu, who is said to have separated the earth and sky with his giant body, to the legend of the Dragon King, ruler of the oceans, Chinese mythology is a treasure trove of fantastical creatures and epic adventures.Overall, Chinese mythological stories offer a fascinating glimpse into the beliefs, values, and cultural heritage of ancient China. These tales continue to inspire and enthrall audiences around the world, demonstrating the enduring power and importance of mythology in shaping our understanding of the past and present.篇2Chinese mythology is a rich and colorful tapestry of stories and legends that have been passed down through the ages. These myths and legends provide a glimpse into the beliefs, values, and culture of ancient China. In this essay, we will explore some of the most famous Chinese myths and legends.One of the most well-known Chinese mythological figures is the Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong. The Monkey King is a mischievous and powerful monkey who possesses incredible strength, agility, and magical powers. He is a central character in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, which tells the story of the Monkey King's adventures as he accompanies the Buddhist monk Xuanzang on a journey to India to obtain sacred Buddhist scriptures.Another popular mythological figure in Chinese mythology is the Dragon. Dragons are revered in Chinese culture as symbols of power, strength, and good luck. In Chinese mythology, dragons are often depicted as benevolent creatures who bring rain, protect the country, and guard treasure. Dragons are also associated with the Emperor of China, who is often referred to as the "Son of the Dragon."The legend of the Eight Immortals is another famous Chinese myth. The Eight Immortals are a group of legendary figures who are said to have achieved immortality through their great deeds and magical powers. Each of the Eight Immortals has a unique personality and special abilities, such as healing, shape-shifting, and flying on clouds.The story of Chang'e, the goddess of the Moon, is a poignant tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption. According to Chinese mythology, Chang'e was once a beautiful mortal woman who swallowed a magical pill of immortality and ascended to the Moon, where she now lives as a lonely goddess. The story of Chang'e is often told during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a Chinese holiday that celebrates the Moon and family reunions.These are just a few examples of the rich and diverse world of Chinese mythology. The myths and legends of ancient Chinacontinue to captivate and inspire people around the world with their timeless themes of heroism, magic, and the enduring power of love and friendship.篇3Introduction to Chinese Mythological StoriesChinese mythology is rich and diverse, filled with stories passed down for generations that have shaped the cultural beliefs and traditions of the Chinese people. These stories incorporate elements of magic, supernatural beings, legendary creatures, and moral teachings that have intrigued and captivated people for centuries.One of the most famous Chinese mythological stories is the tale of the Goddess Chang'e and the Moon. According to legend, Chang'e was a beautiful woman who lived on Earth long ago. When she consumed an elixir of immortality, she flew to the moon and became the Goddess of the Moon. In Chinese culture, the Moon Festival is celebrated each year to honor Chang'e and her story.Another well-known myth is the story of the Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong. This mischievous and powerful monkey possessed incredible strength and magical abilities.Journeying with the monk Xuanzang to retrieve Buddhist scriptures, the Monkey King encountered numerous adventures and challenges along the way.The tale of the Eight Immortals is yet another popular Chinese mythological story. These legendary figures possess supernatural powers and are known for their wisdom, compassion, and abilities to bring good fortune to people. Each of the Eight Immortals has a unique personality and their own set of magical tools that they use to help those in need.In Chinese mythology, dragons are revered creatures that symbolize power, strength, and good fortune. The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional holiday in China that honors dragons and features dragon boat races to commemorate the legend of Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet.Chinese mythology also includes stories of legendary creatures such as the Qilin, a mythical animal that symbolizes good luck and prosperity, and the Phoenix, a beautiful bird that represents harmony and renewal.These are just a few examples of the many captivating and enchanting mythological stories that are part of Chinese culture. These tales have been passed down through oral traditions,written texts, and artistic representations, making them an integral part of Chinese folklore and heritage.In conclusion, Chinese mythological stories are an important aspect of Chinese culture, reflecting the beliefs, values, and traditions of the Chinese people. These timeless tales continue to inspire and entertain audiences around the world with their magical characters, supernatural beings, and moral lessons.。

中国古代神话故事,中英文Deep within the rich cultural heritage of China, lie countless myths and legends that have been passed down through generations, telling tales of gods, monsters, heroes, and their extraordinary feats. These myths, often interwoven with profound philosophical and moral insights, have served as a foundation for Chinese literature, art, and even daily life. In this article, we delve into the enchanting world of ancient Chinese mythology, exploringits themes and characters through both English and Chinese lenses.**The Heavenly Realm and the Underworld**In Chinese mythology, the universe is divided into three realms: Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld. The Heavenly Realm is inhabited by the gods, including the Jade Emperor, the supreme deity, and various other deities representing different aspects of nature and abstract concepts such as love, wealth, and war. The Underworld, on the other hand, is the realm of the dead and evil spirits, ruled over by the Yama King.**The Creation of the Universe**According to Chinese mythology, the universe wascreated when the Yang (male) and Yin (female) forces merged, giving birth to the Ten Thousand Things. This creation myth is symbolized by the Taoist concept of "Wu Ji" (the undifferentiated state), which represents the primal chaos from which all things emerge.**The Dragon and the Phoenix**The dragon and the phoenix are two of the most revered creatures in Chinese mythology. The dragon, often depicted as a serpentine creature with horns, scales, and claws, is associated with power, wisdom, and fertility. The phoenix, on the other hand, is a bird of fire and light, symbolizing beauty, grace, and immortality. Together, they representthe yang and yin forces of the universe, respectively.**The Eight Immortals**The Eight Immortals are a group of legendary figures in Chinese mythology who are said to have achieved immortality through various means. Each immortal possesses unique powers and is associated with a particular aspect of natureor human life. Their adventures and exploits are often depicted in Chinese art and literature, embodying the themes of freedom, adventure, and transcendence.**Ne Zha and the Monkey King**Two of the most popular figures in Chinese mythology are Ne Zha and the Monkey King. Ne Zha, known as the "Third Child of Heaven," is a deity associated with thunder, lightning, and oak trees. He is renowned for his bravery and heroism, often depicted as riding a divine horse and wielding a powerful spear.The Monkey King, on the other hand, is a mischievous and intelligent creature from the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West." He possesses supernatural powers and is known for his tricks and antics, often causing trouble for the gods and mortals alike. Despite his antics, he is also a loyal and brave figure who ultimately helps his master, Tang Sanzang, achieve his goal of retrieving the Buddhist scriptures from the West.**Conclusion**Ancient Chinese mythology is a rich and fascinating realm of gods, monsters, heroes, and their extraordinary feats. It serves as a window into the ancient Chinese world, reflecting its values, beliefs, and aspirations. Throughthe fusion of English and Chinese perspectives, we can gain a deeper understanding of this enchanting mythology and appreciate its enduring influence on Chinese culture and society.**中国古代神话：东西方的融合**在中国丰富的文化遗产深处，蕴藏着无数代代相传的神话和传说，讲述着神、怪兽、英雄及其非凡壮举的故事。

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文档下载后可定制随意修改，请根据实际需要进行相应的调整和使用，谢谢!并且，本店铺为大家提供各种各样类型的实用资料，如教育随笔、日记赏析、句子摘抄、古诗大全、经典美文、话题作文、工作总结、词语解析、文案摘录、其他资料等等，如想了解不同资料格式和写法，敬请关注!Download tips: This document is carefully compiled by theeditor. I hope that after you download them,they can help yousolve practical problems. The document can be customized andmodified after downloading,please adjust and use it according toactual needs, thank you!In addition, our shop provides you with various types ofpractical materials,such as educational essays, diaryappreciation,sentence excerpts,ancient poems,classic articles,topic composition,work summary,word parsing,copyexcerpts,other materials and so on,want to know different data formats andwriting methods,please pay attention!In ancient China, there were many fascinating myths and legends that have been passed down through generations. These stories are filled with magical creatures, powerful gods, and extraordinary adventures. Let's dive into the world of Chinese mythology and explore some of its most captivating tales.Long, long ago, there was a beautiful goddess named Chang'e. She was married to a skilled archer named Houyi. One day, Houyi obtained a magical elixir that could make him immortal. However, Chang'e accidentally consumed the elixir and floated up to the moon, where she became the Moon Goddess. Since then, people have celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival to commemorate Chang'e and pray for good fortune.Another legendary figure in Chinese mythology is the Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong. He possessed incredible strength and had the ability to transform intoseventy-two different animals. With his magical staff, the Monkey King embarked on numerous adventures, including a journey to the Western Paradise to obtain sacred Buddhist scriptures. Along the way, he encountered powerful demons and gods, showcasing his mischievous and cunning nature.One of the most famous Chinese mythical creatures is the Dragon. In Chinese culture, dragons are considered symbols of power, wisdom, and good fortune. They are believed to control the rain and bring prosperity to the land. Dragons are often depicted as majestic creatures with long, winding bodies and sharp claws. They appear in various forms, such as water dragons, earth dragons, and celestial dragons, each possessing unique abilities and characteristics.In Chinese mythology, there is also a fascinating story about the creation of the world. According to ancient beliefs, the universe began as an egg. Within this egg, the god Pangu slept for thousands of years until he finally woke up and broke the egg into two halves. The upper half became the sky, while the lower half transformed into theearth. Pangu continued to grow taller and taller, pushing the sky further away from the earth and creating a space in between. He eventually became the pillar that held up the heavens.Chinese mythology is filled with countless enchanting tales that have shaped the culture and beliefs of the Chinese people. From the goddess Chang'e to the mischievous Monkey King, these stories continue to captivate our imagination and remind us of the rich heritage and traditions of ancient China. So next time you gaze at the moon or encounter a dragon in a painting, remember the magical world of Chinese mythology that lies behind them.。

中国神话英语作文Chinese Mythology。

Chinese mythology is a rich and diverse collection of stories and legends that have been passed down through generations. These myths are deeply rooted in the history and culture of China, and they continue to have a profound impact on the country's literature, art, and popular culture.One of the most famous Chinese myths is the story ofthe Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong. This legendary figure is a central character in the classic novel "Journey to the West," which was written during the Ming dynasty.The Monkey King is a mischievous and powerful creature who possesses incredible strength, speed, and magical abilities. He is known for his rebellious nature and his quest for immortality, which leads him on a series of adventures and battles with various gods and demons.Another well-known Chinese myth is the tale of the Eight Immortals, a group of legendary figures who have achieved immortality through their mastery of Taoist practices. Each of the Eight Immortals has their own unique powers and abilities, and they are often depicted as colorful and eccentric characters in Chinese art and literature. The stories of the Eight Immortals have been a popular subject for traditional Chinese opera, and they continue to be celebrated in festivals and ceremonies throughout China.In addition to these famous myths, Chinese mythology is also filled with a wide variety of gods, goddesses, and supernatural creatures. Many of these figures are associated with the natural world, such as the gods of the sun, moon, and earth, as well as the spirits of rivers, mountains, and forests. These deities are often worshipped and revered in Chinese religious traditions, and they play a central role in the spiritual beliefs of the Chinese people.The myths and legends of China are not only a source ofentertainment and artistic inspiration, but they also reflect the values, beliefs, and traditions of Chinese society. Many of these stories contain moral lessons and teachings about the importance of virtues such as loyalty, bravery, and filial piety. They also provide insight into the ancient Chinese understanding of the natural world and the supernatural forces that shape it.In modern times, Chinese mythology continues to be a vibrant and influential part of Chinese culture. Thestories and characters from these myths are frequently reinterpreted and adapted in contemporary literature, film, and television. They also remain a popular subject for visual artists, who create stunning depictions of the gods, heroes, and creatures from Chinese mythology.Overall, Chinese mythology is a treasure trove of captivating stories and fascinating characters that have captivated the imaginations of people around the world. These myths are an integral part of China's cultural heritage, and they continue to inspire and enchant audiences with their timeless themes and enduring appeal.As long as there are people in the world, the myths of China will continue to live on, shaping the hearts and minds of generations to come.。