中国文化概论.docVIP

Chinese mythology: usually spread in scattered and fragmented forms in various written materials. were mainly preserved in Shanghaijing (The Classic of Mountains and Seas), Chu Ci (The Verses of Chu), Zhuang Zi, and Huainanzi, I. Myths of Creation: 1. Pangu Separated the Heaven from the Earth 2. Creation of Mankind: Nüwa: established the marriage system The Nüwa palace in She County, Hebei Province女娲故里: 河北省邯郸市涉县娲皇宫 3. Stories of Inventions: 1. Fuxi （伏羲） taught people how to devise tools, kindle fire and cook food, how to hunt animals and catch fish by fishing nets (by imitating the spider’s web) how to domesticate驯养 animals and tend flocks (禽群). He also devised the mysterious Eight Trigrams (八卦) ，which were used for divination（占卜）. 2.Dragon：（snack）totems→dragon 3. Yan Di Shennong : invented farming and was the first to use herbs for medical use(whip鞭子). 4.Huang Di 轩辕 invented the wheel and carts drawn by oxen and discovered the art of making pottery. He improved communication by building roads, bridges and ships. Under his administration, precious stones, gold and copper were introduced to serve as money. Myths of floods, wars and others Yu the Great Conquered the Flood大禹治水 Gun building large blockades (dams) fail（killed by shun） his father to build ditches and canals(13 successful) 刑天舞干戚 Xingtian fought with his shield and battle axe Kuafu Chased the Sun peach Jingwei Tried to Fill up the Sea IV. Influences of Chinese myths (brainstorming) On the one side: the Chinese history and society have a great influence on the Chinese myths; On the other side: the myths have been handed down for thousands of years and contain Chinese people’s philosophy, art, beliefs, customs, and value systems; they also have a great influence on Chinese society and culture. 1. Influence of myths on belief In China, those gods who play the main roles in myths are also usually the ones worshiped as the central part of belief systems: Nüwa, Guanyin, etc. 2.Compare Chinese gods and