They are 4 great buddhist mountains of China paying homage to the 4

Bodhisattva:
1. Mt. Wutai - Paying homage to Manjusri Bodhisattva (
2. Mt. E'mei - Paying homage to Samanthabhadra Bodhisattva (
3. Mt. Jiuhua - Paying homage to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (
4. Mt. Putuo - Paying homage to Avalotekiteshvara Bodhisattva (

Ji Zu Shan (literally translated to Chicken Feet Mountain). It pays homage to

Maha Kassapa (not Maitraya), whereby it is believed to hold his spirit until the
arrival of the next buddha, Maitraya. Maha Kassapa will then pass on the legacy
of the current buddha (Sakyamuni) to Maitraya.

Chinese mythology () is a collection of cultural history, folktales, and religions

that have been passed 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Imperial historical documents and philosophical canons such as Shangshu, Shiji, Liji, Lshi
Chunqiu, and others, all contain Chinese myths.

Contents
[hide]

1 Major concepts

2 Time periods
o 2.1 Three August Ones and Five Emperors

o 2.2 Great Flood

o 2.3 Xia Dynasty
o 2.4 Shang Dynasty

3 Creation and the Pantheon

4 Dragon

5 Religion and mythology

6 Important deities and mythological figures

7 Mythical creatures

8 Mythical places

9 Literary sources of Chinese mythology

10 See also

11 References

12 External links

[edit] Major concepts

Some 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, Jiu Ge and the Heavenly Questions, by
Qu Yuan of the Chu state.

Fengshen Bang (), 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.

Nuwa and Fuxi represented as half-snake, half-human creatures.

The concept of a principal or presiding deity has fluctuated over time in Chinse mythology.
Some examples include:

Shangdi (), appears as early as the Shang Dynasty; also appears as Huangtian
Dadi , but more commonly in later eras as , (the dating of these
occurrences depends on the date of Oracle Bones and the Shujing, aka "Book of
Documents"). When Huangtian Dadi was used it refers to Jade Emperor or Yu Huang,
and Tian and Jade Emperor were synonymous in Chinese prayers.

Yu Di ( or or Jade Emperor), appears in literature after the establishment of

Taoism in China, but the position of Yu Huang dates back to beyond the times of
Huangdi, Nuwa or Fuxi.

Tian (, or Heaven), appears in literature probably about 700 BC, or earlier (the
dating of these occurrences depends on the date of the Shujing, aka "Book of
Documents"). There are no "creation" oriented narratives for 'Heaven', although the
role of a creator is a possible interpretation. The qualities of 'Heaven' and Shangdi
appear to merge in later literature (and are worshiped as one entity ("") in,
for example, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing). The extent of the distinction (if any)
between them is debated. The sinologist Herrlee Creel proposes that an analysis of the
Shang oracle bones shows Shangdi preceded 'Tian' as a deity, and that Zhou Dynasty
authors replaced the term Shangdi with Tian to cement the claim of their influence.

Nwa (), appears in literature no earlier than about 350 BC. Her companion was
Fuxi (), the brother and husband of Nuwa. These two beings are sometimes
worshiped as the ultimate ancestor of all humankind. They sometimes believe that
Nuwa molded humans from clay for companionship. They are often represented as
half-snake, half-human creatures. Nwa was also responsible for repairing the sky
after Gong Gong damaged the pillar supporting the heavens (see below).

Pangu (), written about 200 AD by the Taoist author Xu Zheng, was a later myth
claiming to describe the first sentient being and creator.

Time periods
[edit] Three August Ones and Five Emperors
Main article: Three August Ones and Five Emperors
During or following the age of Nuwa and Fuxi came the age of the Three August Ones and
Five Emperors (). These legendary rulers ruled between c. 2850 BC to 2205 BC,
before the Xia dynasty.
The list of names comprising the Three August Ones and Five Emperors vary widely among
sources (see Three August Ones and Five Emperors for other versions). The most widely
circulated and popular version is:

The Three August Ones (Huang):

o Fuxi () - The companion of Nuwa.
o Shennong () - Shennong, "Divine Farmer", reputedly taught the ancients
agriculture and medicine.
o Huangdi () - Huangdi, "Huang Emperor"(normally "" means "yellow",
but not here. See below for the full explanation of ""), is often regarded
as the first sovereign of the Chinese nation.

(Source: Shangshu ())

The Five Emperors (Di):

o Shaohao () - Leader of the Dongyi "Eastern Barbarians". His pyramidal
tomb is in present-day Shandong.[clarification needed]
o Zhuanxu () - Grandson of the Huang Emperor.
o Emperor Ku () - Great grandson of the Huang Emperor; nephew of
Zhuanxu.

o Yao () - The son of Ku. His elder brother succeeded Ku, but abdicated when
he was found to be an ineffective ruler.
o Shun () - Yao, passing over his own son, made Shun his successor because
of Shun's ability and morality.
These rulers are generally regarded as morally upright and benevolent rulers, examples to be
emulated by latter day kings and emperors. When Qin Shi Huang united China in 221 BC, he
felt that his achievements had surpassed those of all the rulers who had gone before him. He
combined the ancient titles of Huang () and Di () to create a new title, Huangdi (),
usually translated as Emperor.

[edit] Great Flood

Main article: Great Flood (China)
Main article: Yu the Great
Shun passed his place as emperor to Yu the Great (). The Yellow River is prone to flooding,
and erupted in a huge flood in the time of Yao. Yu's father, Gun, was put in charge of flood
control by Yao, but failed to alleviate the problem after 9 years. He was executed by Shun,
and Yu took his father's place, and led the people in building canals and levees. After thirteen
years of toil, flooding problems were ameliorated under Yu's command. Shun enfeoffed Yu in
the place of Xia, in present-day Wan County in Henan. Upon his death, Shun passed the
leadership to Yu. The main source for the story of Yu and the Great Flood comes from The
Counsels of Yu the Great in the Classic of History (). As a result of his
achievement in resolving the Great Flood, Yu, alone among the mythological rulers, is
usually called "Yu the Great" (). Alternatively, he is called Emperor Yu (), like his
predecessors.

[edit] Xia Dynasty

Main article: Xia Dynasty
Upon Yu's death, his position as leader was passed not to his deputy, but to his son Qi.
Sources differ regarding the process by which Qi rose to this position. Most versions agree
that, Yu designated his deputy, Gaotao (), to be his successor. When Gaotao died before
him, Yu then selected Gaotao's son, Bo Yi () as successor. One version says that all the
peoples who had submitted to Yu admired Qi more than Bo Yi, and Yu passed power to Qi
instead. Another version holds that Bo Yi ceremoniously offered the position to Qi, who
accepted, against convention, because he had the support of other leaders. Yet another version
says that Qi killed Bo Yi and usurped his position as leader.
The version currently most accepted in China has Yu name Bo Yi as successor, because Bo Yi
had achieved fame by teaching the People to drive animals with fire during the hunts. Bo Yi
had the support of the People and Yu could not stand against it easily. But Yu gave Bo Yi title
without power. Yu gave his own son all power to manage the country. After a few fruitless
years, Bo Yi lost popularity, and Yu's son Qi became more popular. Then Yu named Qi as
successor. Bo Yi, did not go willingly and challenged Qi for the leadership. A civil war

ensued. Qi, with strong support from the People, defeated Bo Yi's forces, killed Bo Yi, and
solidified his rule.
Qi's succession broke the previous convention of meritorious succession, and began what is
traditionally regarded as the first dynasty of Chinese history. The dynasty is called "Xia" after
Yu's centre of power.
The Xia Dynasty is semi-mythological. The Records of the Grand Historian and the Bamboo
Annals record the names of 17 kings of the Xia Dynasty. However, there is no conclusive
archaeological evidence of its capital or its existence as a state of any significant size. Some
archaeological evidence for a significant urban civilization prior to the Shang Dynasty does
now exist.

[edit] Shang Dynasty

Main article: Shang Dynasty
Jie, the last king of the Xia Dynasty, was supposedly a bloodthirsty despot. Tang of Shang, a
tribal leader, revolted against Xia rule and eventually overthrew Jie, establishing the Shang
Dynasty, based in Anyang. Book 5 of Mozi described the end of the Xia dynasty and the
beginning of the Shang dynasty. During the reign of King Jie of Xia, there was a great
climactic change. The paths of the sun and moon were different, the seasons were confused
and the five grains dried up. Ghouls were crying in the country and cranes shrieked for ten
nights. Heaven ordered Shang Tang to receive the heavenly commission from the Xia
dynasty. The Xia dynasty has failed morally and Heaven has determined her end. Therefore,
Shang Tang was commanded to destroy Xia with the promise of Heaven's help. In the dark,
Heaven destroyed the fortress' pool. Shang Tang then gained victory easily.[1]
The Shang Dynasty ruled from ca. 1766 BC to ca. 1050 BC. It came to an end when the last
despotic ruler, Zhou of Shang, was overthrown by the new Zhou Dynasty. The end of the
Shang Dynasty and the establishment of the Zhou is the subject of the influential
mythological fiction, Investitute of the Gods (). Book 5 of Mozi also described the
shift. During the reign of Shang Zhou, Heaven could not endure his morality and his neglect
of timely sacrifices. It rained mud for ten days and nights, the nine cauldrons (presumably
used in either astronomy or to measure earth movements) shifted positions, pontianaks
appeared and ghosts cried at night. There were women who became men, the heaven rained
flesh and thorny brambles covered the national highways. A red bird brought a message
"Heaven decrees King Wen of Zhou to punish Yin and possess its empire". The Yellow River
formed charts and the earth brought forth mythical horses. When King Wu became king,
three gods appeared to him in a dream, telling him that they have drowned Shang Zhou in
wine and that King Wu was to attack him. On the way back from victory, the heavens gave
him the emblem of a yellow bird.
Unlike the preceding Xia Dynasty, there is clear archaeological evidence of a government
centre at Yinxu in Anyang, and of an urban civilization in the Shang Dynasty. However, the
chronology of the first three dynasties remains an area of active research and controversy.

[edit] Creation and the Pantheon

The Jade Emperor is charged with running of the three realms: heaven, hell and that of the
living. The Jade Emperor adjudicates and metes out rewards and remedies to actions of
saints, the living and the deceased according to a merit system loosely called the Jade
Principles Golden Script (, see external links). When judgments proposed were
objected to, usually by other saints, the administration would occasionally resort to the
counsels of the advisory elders.

[edit] Dragon
The Chinese dragon is one of the most important mythical creatures in Chinese mythology.
The Chinese dragon is considered to be the most powerful and divine creature and is believed
to be the controller of all waters. The dragon symbolised great power and was very
supportive of heroes and gods. One of the most famous dragons in Chinese mythology is
Yinglong "Responding Dragon", said to be the god of rain. Many people in different places
pray to Yinglong in order to receive rain. In Chinese mythology, dragons are believed to be
able to create clouds with their breath. Chinese people sometimes use the term "Descendants
of the Dragon" as a sign of their ethnic identity.
For the most part, Chinese myths involve moral issues which inform people of their culture
and values.

Dragon-gods, from Myths and Legends of China, 1922 by E. T. C. Werner

[edit] Religion and mythology

There has been extensive interaction between Chinese mythology and the major belief
systems of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. (see Religion in China)

On the one hand, elements of pre-Han dynasty mythologies such as those in Shan Hai Jing
were adapted into these belief systems as they developed (in the case of Taoism), or were
assimilated into Chinese culture (in the case of Buddhism). On the other hand, elements from
the teachings and beliefs of these systems became incorporated into Chinese mythology. For
example, the Taoist belief of a spiritual paradise became incorporated into mythology, as the
place where immortals and deities dwell.

[edit] Important deities and mythological figures

Wen Chang, Chinese God of Literature, carved in ivory, c. 15501644, Ming Dynasty.

Three Pure Ones () the Daoist trinity, beings first transformed from the
primordial unity
o Yuanshi Tianzun ()
o Lingbao Tianzun ()
o Daode Tianzun ()

Four Emperors () heavenly kings of Daoist religion

o Yu Huang (Jade Emperor)
o Beiji Dadi
o Tianhuang Dadi

o Empress of Earth

Eight Immortals ()
o He Xiangu ()
o Cao Guojiu ()
o Tie Guaili ()
o Lan Caihe ()
o Lu Dongbin ()
o Han Xiangzi ()
o Zhang Guolao ()
o Han Zhongli ()

Deities with Buddhist Appellations

o Guan Yin () (, also Kuan Yin)
o Laughing Buddha
o Dizang (/), ruler of the ten hells
o Four Heavenly Kings () Four Buddhist guardian gods
o Gautama Buddha ()

Xi Wangmu (). Queen Mother of the West

Erlang Shen ()

Lei Gong () god of thunder

Nezha ()

Guan Yu (), God of Brotherhoods. God of martial power. Also revered as

God of War.

Zhao Gongming ()

Bi Gan ()

Bi Fang

Kui Xing ()

Sun Wukong ()

Daoji ()

Matsu ()

Zao Jun ()

Tu Di Gong ()

Town god ()

Zhong Kui ()

Lung Mo ()

Hung Shing ()

Tam Kung

Wong Tai Sin ()

Meng Po ()

Three August Ones and Five Emperors (), a collection of legendary rulers

Zhu Rong ():

Gong Gong ():

Chi You ( chi1 you2)

Da Yu ()

Kua Fu ()

Cangjie ()

Hou Yi ( hou4 yi4)

Chang E ()

The Cowherd and Weaver Girl ()

Han Ba ()

Wenchang Wang ()

Gao Yao ()

Tu Er Shen ()

Wu Gang ()

Jum sum ()

Xingtian () Headless hero

Xiang River goddesses (Xiangfei) ( ), they were: Ehuang () and Nying (

).

Spirit of the well, from Myths and Legends of China, 1922 by E. T. C. Werner

Zoomorphic guardian spirits of Day and Night, Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD) Chinese
paintings on ceramic tile

[edit] Mythical creatures

Bashe a snake reputed to swallow elephants

Birds:
o Fenghuang (Chinese Phoenix)
o Jian ( jian1) A mythical bird supposed to have only one eye and one wing:
a pair of such birds dependent on each other, inseparable, hence,
represent husband and wife.
o Jiguang ( jgung)
o Jingwei () a mythical bird which tries to fill up the ocean with twigs and
pebbles.
o Jiufeng A nine headed bird used to scare children.
o Peng (, a mythical bird of giant size and awesome flying power) Also
known as the Chinese roc.
o Qing Niao ( qngnio) a mythical bird, the messenger of Xi Wangmu.
o Sanzuniao () a three-legged crow. Represented the sun birds shot down
by Houyi.
o Shang-Yang (a rainbird)
o Su Shuang ( su4shuang3) a mythical bird, also variously described as a
water bird, like the crane.

o Zhen () a poisonous bird

o Zhu[disambiguation needed

(a bad omen)

Chinese dragon
o Yinglong, a powerful servant of Huangdi.
o Dragon King the king of the dragons
o Fucanglong, the treasure dragon
o Shenlong, the rain dragon
o Dilong, the earth dragon
o Tianlong, the celestial dragon
o Chi, a hornless dragon or mountain demon
o Jiaolong, a dragon of floods and the sea.
o Zhulong, the luminous red celestial "torch dragon" (only part dragon)

Chinese Beasts[disambiguation needed

o Qilin - a chimeric animal with several variations. The first giraffe sent as a gift
to a Chinese emperor was believed to be the Qilin. An early Chinese painting
depicts this giraffe replete with the fish scales of the Qilin. In legend, it is
believed to have perfect good will, gentleness and benevolence to all righteous
creatures.
o Xiezhi () - Also called Xie Cai, is a creature of justice said to be able to
tell lies from truths. It has a single long straight horn that it uses to gore liars.
o Bai Ze () - literally meaning "white marsh", is a legendary creature said
to have been encountered by the Yellow Emperor and to have given him a
compendium listing all the demons in the world.
o Xiniu () - or the rhinoceros, started to become mythical creatures when
they became extinct in China. Their depictions changed to a more bovine
appearance with a single short curved horn on its head that was used to
communicate with the sky.

The Four Symbols ()

o Qng Lng, Azure dragon of the east.

o Xun W, black tortoise of the north.

o Bi H, white tiger of the west.
o Zh Qu, vermilion bird of the south.

The Four Fiends ():

o Hundun () - chaos
o Taotie () - gluttony
o Taowu () - ignorance Taowu provides the confusion and apathy that keep
mortals mired in an intellectual darkness, free of curiosity, reason, and the
other tools that might lead to enlightenment.
o Qiongqi () - deviousness

Longma (), the "dragon horse", similar to the Qilin.

Kui , a one-legged mountain demon or dragon, also Shun's musical master who
invented music and dance.

Kun, also known as Peng ( kun1) a mythical giant monstrous fish.

Jiang Shi

Luduan can detect truth.

Yaoguai demons.

Huli jing fox spirits.

Nian, the beast

Ox-Head and Horse-Face devils in animal forms.[2]

Pixiu ()

Rui Shi ()

Xiao[disambiguation needed

The Xing Tian ( "punished one" or "he who was punished by heaven") is a
headless giant. He was decapitated by the Yellow Emperor as punishment for
challenging him. His face is in his torso because he has no head. He wanders around

( xiao1) A mythical mountain spirit or demon.

fields and roads and is often depicted carrying a shield and an axe and doing a fierce
war dance.

Chinese Monkey Warded off evil spirits and was highly respected and loved by all
Chinese people.

Yifan Zhang - Cat goddess, led a legion of cats to uphold righteousness before the
Shang Era. Descendant of Huangdi.

Zhayu () - a creature of pure yin said to devour evil humans.

Iphot - a creature of light that brings light to the universe

There are also many other creatures.[3][4]

[edit] Mythical places

Xuanpu ( xuan2pu3), a mythical fairyland on Kunlun Mountain ().

Yaochi ( yao2chi2), abode of immortals where Xi Wang Mu lives.

Fusang ( fu2sang1), a mythical island, interpreted as Japan.

Queqiao ( que4qiao2) the bridge formed by birds across the Milky Way.

Penglai ( peng2lai2) the paradise, a fabled Fairy Isle on the China Sea.

Longmen ( long2men2) the dragon gate where a carp can transform into a
dragon.

Di Yu ( di4yu4), Chinese term for hell.

[edit] Literary sources of Chinese mythology

Zhiguai (), a literary genre that deals with strange (mostly supernatural) events
and stories

In Search of the Supernatural (), 4th century compilation of stories and

hearsay concerning spirits, ghosts and supernatural phenomena

Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, by Pu Songling, with many stories of fox
demons

Imperial historical documents and confucian canons such as Shiji, Lshi Chunqiu,
Liji, Shangshu

Zby (), a collection of supernatural stories compiled during the Qing

Dynasty