Great floods and river gods, snake spirits and dragons, phoenixes, demons, and giants, and a whole host of gods, goddesses, immortals, heroes, and saints China may not have an organized pantheon or complete epic literature like some traditions, but its unique set of mythological tales are derived from its vast expanse, diverse culture, and the endless wars between tribes and dynasties.
This vibrant collection amasses a range of tales dealing with everything from the origin of the world and all its phenomena to elements of the supernaturalall essentially a visceral way for the Chinese people to explain and give meaning to history and life. After an introduction to the background and key themes and figures of Chinese mythology and folklore, the stories are broken down into sections ranging from The Creation Myths and Tales of the Five Emperors to Legends of Foxes, Ghostly Tales, and Parables & Fairy Tales.
Read in awe as Nu Wa Peoples the Earth, pity Xing Tian, the Headless Giant, discover the poignant personification of planetary bodies in The Herdsman and the Weaver Girl, and shiver through The Resuscitated Corpse. The myths and legends of China that survived the oral tradition to be written down, together with later tales, evince the truly rich and wondrous imagination of this culture, from the birth of humankind to the triumph of good over evil, all bound together to be enjoyed in this valuable anthology.
