The creators of Chinese mythology have always sought to address the fundamental issue of human survival. Observing the creation of all things through the formation of heaven and earth, witnessing the cycles of yin and yang, and guiding humanity with righteousness—this is the core essence of Chinese mythology. The myth begins with the fantastical notion of the world emerging from chaos.
Pangu Separates Heaven and Earth: A Grand Narrative of Chaos Unfolding
At the dawn of chaos, Pangu, who had been asleep for 18,000 years, used his body to provide the first grand explanation of the world's order. Amidst the chaos, Pangu grew one zhang taller each day, gradually separating heaven and earth. His breath became wind and rain, his voice turned into thunder, and the opening and closing of his eyes brought about the alternation of day and night. His bones transformed into mountains and forests, his hair into vegetation, and his sweat flowed into rivers. When Pangu finally collapsed, the world witnessed the birth of heaven and earth in its infancy.
Nüwa Creates Humanity: A Mythical Chapter on the Origins of Mankind
Nüwa wandered alone across vast and boundless plains, where even the majestic mountains and rivers could not dispel the endless expanse of time. By the edge of a pond, she scooped up a mouthful of yellow clay and, shaping it in her own image, molded the first humans from the soil. These humans, born of the earth, revered heaven and earth, nature, and the shifting forces of time and space. Thus, Nüwa endowed all living beings with divine essence, establishing a harmonious and self-sustaining order.
Establishing Cosmic Order
It all began beyond the eastern seas, at the Western River between the Ganquan springs, where the sun and moon emerged from Fusang to separate chaotic time. The rising and setting of the sun determined the four cardinal directions—east, west, south, and north—while its daily cycle marked the progression of the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
The gods of the seasons each held distinct roles, governing the twenty-eight constellations: the Azure Dragon in the east, the White Tiger in the west, the Vermilion Bird in the south, and the Black Tortoise in the north. Changxi, the moon goddess, resided in the northeast, contemplating the waxing and waning of the sun and moon. She harmonized the flow of yin and yang, ushering in the spirit of the five elements into written records.
In the west stood a mountain, presiding over autumn harvests and winter storage. Goumang, the god of wood and spring, oversaw the growth of trees in the east. Zhurong, the god of fire, watched from the heights, while Xuanming, the water god, governed winter snow, dividing dominion over the north and south. Houtu, the earth god, resided at the center, maintaining balance among the elements.
The phoenix, regarded as the mother of the earth, symbolized auspicious movements and prosperity. Ancient humans used their imagination to explore the mysteries of astronomy and geography, revealing eternal natural truths through mythology. Time and space were alive, and mountains, rivers, creatures, and beasts all bore spiritual essence. Each deity governed aspects of the world, ensuring the proper flow of time and the rhythms of human life.
The Battle of Water and Fire: The Epic Clash Between Gonggong and Zhurong
However, harmony did not last forever. In the Records of the Grand Historian by Sima Qian, the great battle between water and fire foreshadowed the arrival of the darkest times in the world. Gonggong, the water god, rebelled against the heavens and waged war against Zhurong,
The fire god, at Mount Buzhou. This mountain, located in the northwest beyond the great wilderness, symbolized imperfection and disaster, as reflected by its very name, which means "not aligned." Defeated in battle, Gonggong flew into a rage and struck Mount Buzhou, causing it to collapse. The pillars supporting the sky shattered, and the cords binding the earth snapped. Fires blazed relentlessly, floods surged endlessly, and the nine regions of China were thrown into turmoil. Ferocious beasts roamed unchecked, and humanity faced the greatest catastrophe since the dawn of creation.
Nüwa Mends the Heavens: A Magnificent Tale of World Reconstruction
The goddess Nüwa, upon witnessing the suffering and chaos engulfing the human world, was filled with sorrow. Determined to restore balance, she gathered five-colored stones and used them to patch the sky. She then slayed the giant turtle Ao and used its legs to stabilize the four corners of the world, quelling the floods and vanquishing the ferocious beasts. Through these actions, Nüwa completed her divine duty as the creator goddess, fully ascending to her role as a protector and restorer of order.
With the heavens stabilized and survival secured, the next task for humanity was to pursue production and livelihood. At this point, Fuxi, a deity of profound wisdom, emerged. Perhaps the devastation wrought by the previous catastrophe led humanity to reflect on the hardships imposed by the gods of nature. Refusing to remain subject to the whims of heaven and earth, they sought to understand the relationship between the cosmos and mankind.
Chosen by the celestial gods, Fuxi embarked on his mission—observing the stars above, studying the land below, drawing lessons from his body, and seeking knowledge from all things around him.
Fuxi and the Eight Trigrams: The Dawn of Human Wisdom
Drawing inspiration from the interplay of yin and yang in nature, Fuxi created the Eight Trigrams (Bagua)—Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, and Dui—each corresponding to the eight natural phenomena of heaven, earth, thunder, wind, water, fire, mountains, and lakes.
The Eight Trigrams encompassed all things, granting insight into the divine and illuminating the mysteries of existence. Fuxi's teachings guided humanity, leading them from ignorance to the paths of thought and consciousness. Fuxi also taught humans to craft swords for hunting, weave nets for fishing, harness fire to cook, and use wood to build homes.
Families were established through the division of clans by surname. It seemed that even gods walked in step with humanity. By showing people how to use natural fire to prepare food, Fuxi paved the way for humanity to embark on the journey of mastering fire.
Legend tells of Suiren, who, upon passing by a flaming tree, observed birds pecking at it, causing sparks to scatter. Inspired by this sight, Suiren conceived the idea of creating fire by drilling wood.
He passed this knowledge to humanity, enabling them to dispel the cold and darkness of night. From that moment, humanity possessed the wisdom to stand on equal footing with the heavens and the earth. As the flames flickered, the curtain slowly rose on the dawn of Chinese civilization.
Shennong Tastes Hundreds of Herbs: The Origins of Agricultural Civilization
Agriculture marks the opening chapter of the 5000-year epic of Chinese civilization. Shennong, also known as the Yan Emperor, taught humanity to take control of their destiny by cultivating the land. He introduced the plow and hoe, sowed grains, and tasted hundreds of herbs to discover their properties. Shennong's divinity lay in his unwavering devotion to the land—where there is effort, there is harvest. This simple yet profound value has endured since ancient times, forming the cornerstone of agricultural belief and life during the early farming era.
Alongside the Yan Emperor, the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) and Chiyou are revered as the founding ancestors of Chinese civilization. Huangdi emerged at Xuanyuan Hill during a challenge posed by Yan Emperor's tribe. Though the two leaders clashed in fierce battle at the plains of Banquan, their shared ancestry and bloodline ultimately united the two tribes in alliance.
Meanwhile, Chiyou, the god of war from the eastern Yi tribes, amassed his forces. The three legendary figures faced off in the epic Battle of Zhuolu, which shook the heavens and the earth. With the assistance of the deities Beidou and Xuannü, Huangdi achieved a hard-fought victory. This triumph marked the first unification of China, with Huangdi ascending as the foremost of the Five Emperors.
This narrative seems to overlap with many later historical accounts. Perhaps it was at this point that humanity transitioned from a life shaped by the forces of nature to one governed by social and political structures. In truth, the origins of divine wisdom are of little concern to us. Chinese mythology reflects the projection of human understanding onto the world, with gods serving not as absolute rulers but as extensions of humanity's ideals and aspirations.
As history evolved, mythical tales of spirits and monsters grew more complex and fragmented. Yet, they consistently embodied the belief in humanity's power to overcome nature. The story of Kuafu chasing the sun, the great mulberry tree plunging into the abyss, and the leap beyond the Northern Sea toward Kunlun all symbolized relentless pursuit.
The legend of Yu Gong moving mountains across generations echoed unwavering determination. Similarly, Jingwei’s defiant efforts to fill the sea, despite the futility, reflected the eternal resolve to fight for grand ideals. In sacrificing for such noble causes, these figures transcended into divinity.
Thus, the paths of myths intertwined endlessly, untethered to any specific name or place. Dayu’s tireless efforts to control floods and Houyi’s legendary feat of shooting down nine suns saved the land from scorching heat. Whether passed down from ancient times or glorified in later ages, Chinese mythology has consistently upheld the longing for justice and the enduring spirit of the Chinese people throughout generations and dynasties.
Conclusion
Over the span of 5000 years of Chinese civilization, the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) by Sima Qian stands as the first comprehensive historical chronicle. The Shiji begins with the annals of Emperor Wu of Han, opening with the phrase: "The Yellow Emperor passed away and was buried at Qiaoshan." From that moment on, the currents of mythology and history flowed forward together. Yet, the gods have never truly departed. The threads of origin embedded in myths continue to lie in wait, inviting each generation to question, explore, and seek the answers hidden within.