Myths and Legends of ChinaGeorge G. Harrap & Co. Ltd. London Bombay SydneyReading editionChapter navigation416 reading sectionsGo to chapterChoose a chapter…Front matterMyths & Legends of ChinaGeorge G. Harrap & Co. Ltd. London Bombay SydneyPrefaceIllustrationsChapter I · The Sociology of the Chinese Racial OriginSouthern Origin ImprobableExpansion of Races from North to SouthArrival of the Chinese in ChinaThe K’un-lun MountainsProvisional ConclusionInorganic EnvironmentOrganic EnvironmentSociological EnvironmentPhysical, Emotional, and Intellectual CharactersMarriage in Early TimesMarriage in Monarchical and Republican PeriodsParents and ChildrenPolitical HistoryGeneral GovernmentLawsLocal GovernmentMilitary SystemEcclesiastical InstitutionsProfessional InstitutionsAccessory InstitutionsBodily MutilationsFuneral RitesLaws of IntercourseHabits and CustomsSports and GamesDomestic LifeIndustrial InstitutionsArtsAgriculture and Rearing of LivestockSentiments and Moral IdeasReligious IdeasSuperstitionsKnowledgeLanguageAchievements of the ChineseChapter II · On Chinese Mythology Mythology and Intellectual ProgressThe Influence of ReligionHistory and MythChinese RigidityThe Prerequisites to MythStimulus NecessaryPersistent Soul-expressionThe Character of Chinese MythPeriods Fertile in MythSources of Chinese MythPhases of Chinese MythTso-ch’iu Ming and Lieh TzŭThe T’ang and Sung EpochsMyth and DoubtMyth and LegendChapter III · Cosmogony-p’an Ku and the Creation Myth The Fashioner of the UniverseThe Sun and the MoonP’an Ku and YmerP’an Ku a Late CreationNü Kua Shih, the Repairer of the HeavensEarly Cosmogony DualisticThe Canon of ChangesChou Tzŭ’s “T’ai Chi T’u”Chu Hsi’s Monistic PhilosophyLao Tzŭ’s “Tao”Confucius’s AgnosticismMo Tzŭ and CreationMencius and the First CauseLieh Tzŭ’s AbsolutePopular Cosmogony still Personal or DualisticChapter IV · The Gods of China The Birth of the SoulThe Populous OtherworldWorship of Shang TiWorship of T’ienConfusion of Shang Ti and T’ienThe Otherworld Similar to this WorldThe Three ReligionsThe Super-triadWorship of the LivingConfucianismConfucius not a GodThe God of LiteratureWên Ch’ang and the Great BearWên Ch’ang and Tzŭ T’ungHeaven-deaf and Earth-dumbMr RedcoatMr Redcoat nods his HeadMr Golden CuirassThe God of WarThe Meat-seller’s ChallengeThe Oath in the Peach-orchardBuddha, the Law, and the PriesthoodDiamond Kings of HeavenLegend of the Diamond KingsHua-hu Tiao devours Yang ChienThe Three Pure OnesThe Three CausesYüan-shih T’ien-tsunAn Avatar of P’an KuYü HuangThe Cask of PearlsThe Legend of Yü HuangT’ung-t’ien Chiao-chuImmortals, Heroes, SaintsThe God of the ImmortalsHsi Wang MuThe Feast of PeachesThe First Taoist PopeThe Founder of Modern TaoismThe Peach-gatheringChang Tao-ling’s Great PowerT’ai IGoddess of the North StarSnorter and BlowerBlue Dragon and White TigerApotheosized PhilosophersFanning the GraveHusband and WifeCanonized GeneralissimosThe Three Musical BrothersChiang Tzŭ-yaThe Battle of Mu YehA Legend of Chiang Tzŭ-yaNo-cha defeats Chang Kuei-fangTzŭ-ya goes to K’un-lunHe receives the List of ImmortalsThe Soaring HeadThe Ancient Immortal saves the SituationCh’iung Hsiao’s Magic ScissorsChiang Tzŭ-ya defeats Wên ChungThe Red Sand BattleFurther FightingThousand-li Eye and Favourable-wind EarHow the Brothers were DefeatedCelestial MinistriesProtectors of the PeopleThe Ch’êng-huangThe Kitchen-godTs’an NüThe God of HappinessThe God of WealthThe God of LongevityThe Door-godsChinese PolytheismChapter V · Myths of the Stars Astrological SuperstitionsVarious Star-godsShooting the Heavenly DogThe Sun-kingThe Steep SummitThe Divine ArcherVanquishes the Wind-spiritDispels the Nine False SunsSlays Various Dangerous CreaturesBuilds a Palace for Chin MuKills Chisel-toothHêng Ô flies to the MoonThe Sun-palace and the Bird of DawnShên I visits the MoonStar-worshipThe Herdsman and the Weaver-girlThe Twenty-eight ConstellationsA Victim of Ta ChiMyths of TimeThe Planet JupiterLegend of T’ai SuiWorship of T’ai SuiChapter VI · Myths of Thunder, Lightning, Wind, and Rain The Ministry of Thunder and StormsThe President of the Ministry of ThunderThe Duke of ThunderLei Kung in the TreeThe Mysterious BottleLei Chên-tzŭThe Mother of LightningThe God of the WindThe Master of RainThe One-legged BirdMa Yüan-shuaiChapter VII · Myths of the Waters The DragonsThe Dragon-kingsThe Foolish DragonThe Ministry of WatersAn Unauthorized PortraitThe Shipwrecked ServantA Battle and its ResultsThe Dragon in the PondThe Spirits of the WellThe Dragon-king’s DaughterGolden Dragon Great PrinceThe Old Mother of the WatersHsü, the Dragon-slayerThe Spiritual AlligatorThe Great FloodThe Marriage of the River-godLegend of the Building of PekingChu-tiThe Sealed PacketA Desolate RegionThe Prince opens the Sealed PacketThe City is FoundedGeneral ProsperityA Drought and its CauseThe Prince’s DreamThe Pursuit of the DragonsAn Unexpected FloodThe Waters SubsideThe Origin of Chên-shui T’aChapter VIII · Myths of Fire The Ministry of FireA ConflagrationC’ih Ching-tzŭThe Red EmperorHui LuThe Fire-emperorChapter IX · Myths of Epidemics, Medicine, Exorcism, Etc. The Ministry of EpidemicsThe President of the MinistryThe Plague-disseminating UmbrellasThe Five GraduatesThe Emperors StrategyThe Musicians are SlainThe Emperor TormentedThe Graduates CanonizedThe Ministry of MedicineThe Medicine-godsThe Ministry of ExorcismThe Exorcism of ‘Emptiness and Devastation’Chapter X · The Goddess of Mercy The Guardian Angel of BuddhismThe Buddhist SaviourMiao Chuang desires an HeirPrayers to the GodsThe Murder of the TaisBirth of the Three DaughtersMiao Shan’s AmbitionHer Sisters MarryMiao Shan’s RenunciationShe is Exiled to the GardenThe Nunnery of the White BirdHer Reception at the NunneryShe makes Offering to the BuddhaSpiritual AidThe Nunnery on FireThe Execution of Miao ShanMiao Shan visits the Infernal RegionsHell a ParadiseA Test of VirtueMiao Shan attains to PerfectionA RuseThe Transformation of Shan Ts’ai‘Brother and Sister’The King’s PunishmentThe Disguised Priest-doctorStrange MedicineA Conspiracy that FailedA Confession and its ResultsThe Gruesome RemedyHalf-measuresThe King CuredThe King’s DaughterThe King and Queen taken PrisonersThe King’s RepentanceSackcloth and AshesThe King renounces the ThronePardon of the Green Lion and the White ElephantMiao Shan becomes a BuddhaChapter XI · The Eight Immortals Pa HsienLi T’ieh-kuaiChung-li Ch’üanLan Ts’ai-hoChang KuoHo Hsien KuLü Tung-pinHan Hsiang TzŭTs’ao Kuo-chiuPa Hsien Kuo HaiChapter XII · The Guardian of the Gate of Heaven Li, the Pagoda-bearerAn Avatar of the Intelligent PearlA Precocious YouthThe Slaying of the Dragon-king’s SonAn Unruly SonDrastic MeasuresNo-cha draws a Bow at a VentureAnother EncounterNo-cha commits Hara-KiriA Habitation for the SoulLi Ching destroys his Son’s StatueNo-cha consults his MasterA New No-chaA Battle between Father and SonPeace at the LastChapter XIII · A Battle of the Gods Multifarious Versatile DivinitiesChun T’iThe One-eyed PeacockArrangements for the SiegeImpedimentsOffence and DefenceAttempts at RevengeThe Golden-bearded TurtleThe Battle WonBuddhahoodChapter XIV · How the Monkey Became a God The Hsi Yu ChiLegend of Sun Hou-tzŭA Rod of IronGrand Master of the Heavenly StablesGrand Superintendent of the Heavenly Peach-gardenDouble ImmortalitySun Hou-tzŭ CapturedSun escapes from Lao Chün’s FurnaceBroad-jump CompetitionConditions of ReleaseSha Ho-shangSha Ho-shang becomes Baggage-coolieChu Pa-chiehHsüan Chuang, the MasterThe Released CarpThe Chuang Yüan MurderedHsüan Chuang finds his GrandmotherThe Murderer ExecutedThe Carp’s GratitudePai Ma, the White HorsePerils by the WayThe Grove of Cypress-treesA Proposal of MarriageBlind Man’s BuffThe Lotus CaveThe Monkey under the MountainThe Magic GourdThe Magic RopeThe Master RescuedThe Red Child DemonA Prospective FeastThe Generals TrickedThe Demons of Blackwater RiverThe Slow-carts CountryRestraints on FreedomImmortal for SufferingThe Saviour of the BuddhistsAnger of the Buddhist PriestsSun bestows TalismansThe Magic CircleHelp from Ju LaiThe Fire-quenching FanThe Power of the Magic FanDefeat of the Ox-demonThe Lovely WomenAn Awkward PredicamentHow the Master was RescuedThe Spiders and the ExtinguisherShaving a Whole CityThe Return to ChinaThe Travellers HonouredChapter XV · Fox Legends The FoxFox LegendsThe Boon-companionThe Alchemist9Chapter XVI · Miscellaneous Legends The Unnatural PeopleThe PygmiesThe GiantsThe Headless PeopleThe Armless PeopleThe Long-armed and Long-legged PeopleThe One-eyed People and OthersThe Feathered People, etc.The People of the Punctured BodiesThe Women’s KingdomThe Land of the Flying CartThe Expectant WifeThe Wild MenThe Jointed SnakeThe Casting of the Great BellThe Cursed TempleThe Maniac’s MiteThe City-god of Yen Ch’êngThe Origin of a LakeMiao Creation LegendsThe Dream of the South BranchCh’un-yü Fên enters the Locust-treeHe marries the King’s DaughterHe writes to his FatherHe takes OfficeHe meets with DisastersHe returns HomeCh’un-yü RegenerateTwo Tribes at WarThe Chief’s PromiseA Strange ContractThe Chiefs CuriosityAnd of a WorshipConclusionThe Pronunciation of Chinese WordsSoundToneRhythmABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWYUniform with this VolumePrevious chapter ←Myths & Legends of ChinaNext chapter →PrefaceAll chapters and sections (416)Opening pagesFront matterOther sectionsMyths & Legends of ChinaGeorge G. Harrap & Co. Ltd. London Bombay SydneyPrefaceIllustrationsChapters1Other sectionsSouthern Origin ImprobableExpansion of Races from North to SouthArrival of the Chinese in ChinaThe K’un-lun MountainsProvisional ConclusionInorganic EnvironmentOrganic EnvironmentSociological EnvironmentPhysical, Emotional, and Intellectual CharactersMarriage in Early TimesMarriage in Monarchical and Republican PeriodsParents and ChildrenPolitical HistoryGeneral GovernmentLawsLocal GovernmentMilitary SystemEcclesiastical InstitutionsProfessional InstitutionsAccessory InstitutionsBodily MutilationsFuneral RitesLaws of IntercourseHabits and CustomsSports and GamesDomestic LifeIndustrial InstitutionsArtsAgriculture and Rearing of LivestockSentiments and Moral IdeasReligious IdeasSuperstitionsKnowledgeLanguageAchievements of the ChineseChapters2Other sectionsThe Influence of ReligionHistory and MythChinese RigidityThe Prerequisites to MythStimulus NecessaryPersistent Soul-expressionThe Character of Chinese MythPeriods Fertile in MythSources of Chinese MythPhases of Chinese MythTso-ch’iu Ming and Lieh TzŭThe T’ang and Sung EpochsMyth and DoubtMyth and LegendChapters3Other sectionsThe Sun and the MoonP’an Ku and YmerP’an Ku a Late CreationNü Kua Shih, the Repairer of the HeavensEarly Cosmogony DualisticThe Canon of ChangesChou Tzŭ’s “T’ai Chi T’u”Chu Hsi’s Monistic PhilosophyLao Tzŭ’s “Tao”Confucius’s AgnosticismMo Tzŭ and CreationMencius and the First CauseLieh Tzŭ’s AbsolutePopular Cosmogony still Personal or DualisticChapters4Other sectionsThe Populous OtherworldWorship of Shang TiWorship of T’ienConfusion of Shang Ti and T’ienThe Otherworld Similar to this WorldThe Three ReligionsThe Super-triadWorship of the LivingConfucianismConfucius not a GodThe God of LiteratureWên Ch’ang and the Great BearWên Ch’ang and Tzŭ T’ungHeaven-deaf and Earth-dumbMr RedcoatMr Redcoat nods his HeadMr Golden CuirassThe God of WarThe Meat-seller’s ChallengeThe Oath in the Peach-orchardBuddha, the Law, and the PriesthoodDiamond Kings of HeavenLegend of the Diamond KingsHua-hu Tiao devours Yang ChienThe Three Pure OnesThe Three CausesYüan-shih T’ien-tsunAn Avatar of P’an KuYü HuangThe Cask of PearlsThe Legend of Yü HuangT’ung-t’ien Chiao-chuImmortals, Heroes, SaintsThe God of the ImmortalsHsi Wang MuThe Feast of PeachesThe First Taoist PopeThe Founder of Modern TaoismThe Peach-gatheringChang Tao-ling’s Great PowerT’ai IGoddess of the North StarSnorter and BlowerBlue Dragon and White TigerApotheosized PhilosophersFanning the GraveHusband and WifeCanonized GeneralissimosThe Three Musical BrothersChiang Tzŭ-yaThe Battle of Mu YehA Legend of Chiang Tzŭ-yaNo-cha defeats Chang Kuei-fangTzŭ-ya goes to K’un-lunHe receives the List of ImmortalsThe Soaring HeadThe Ancient Immortal saves the SituationCh’iung Hsiao’s Magic ScissorsChiang Tzŭ-ya defeats Wên ChungThe Red Sand BattleFurther FightingThousand-li Eye and Favourable-wind EarHow the Brothers were DefeatedCelestial MinistriesProtectors of the PeopleThe Ch’êng-huangThe Kitchen-godTs’an NüThe God of HappinessThe God of WealthThe God of LongevityThe Door-godsChinese PolytheismChapters5Other sectionsVarious Star-godsShooting the Heavenly DogThe Sun-kingThe Steep SummitThe Divine ArcherVanquishes the Wind-spiritDispels the Nine False SunsSlays Various Dangerous CreaturesBuilds a Palace for Chin MuKills Chisel-toothHêng Ô flies to the MoonThe Sun-palace and the Bird of DawnShên I visits the MoonStar-worshipThe Herdsman and the Weaver-girlThe Twenty-eight ConstellationsA Victim of Ta ChiMyths of TimeThe Planet JupiterLegend of T’ai SuiWorship of T’ai SuiChapters6Other sectionsThe President of the Ministry of ThunderThe Duke of ThunderLei Kung in the TreeThe Mysterious BottleLei Chên-tzŭThe Mother of LightningThe God of the WindThe Master of RainThe One-legged BirdMa Yüan-shuaiChapters7Other sectionsThe Dragon-kingsThe Foolish DragonThe Ministry of WatersAn Unauthorized PortraitThe Shipwrecked ServantA Battle and its ResultsThe Dragon in the PondThe Spirits of the WellThe Dragon-king’s DaughterGolden Dragon Great PrinceThe Old Mother of the WatersHsü, the Dragon-slayerThe Spiritual AlligatorThe Great FloodThe Marriage of the River-godLegend of the Building of PekingChu-tiThe Sealed PacketA Desolate RegionThe Prince opens the Sealed PacketThe City is FoundedGeneral ProsperityA Drought and its CauseThe Prince’s DreamThe Pursuit of the DragonsAn Unexpected FloodThe Waters SubsideThe Origin of Chên-shui T’aChapters8Other sectionsA ConflagrationC’ih Ching-tzŭThe Red EmperorHui LuThe Fire-emperorChapters9Other sectionsThe President of the MinistryThe Plague-disseminating UmbrellasThe Five GraduatesThe Emperors StrategyThe Musicians are SlainThe Emperor TormentedThe Graduates CanonizedThe Ministry of MedicineThe Medicine-godsThe Ministry of ExorcismThe Exorcism of ‘Emptiness and Devastation’Chapters10Other sectionsThe Buddhist SaviourMiao Chuang desires an HeirPrayers to the GodsThe Murder of the TaisBirth of the Three DaughtersMiao Shan’s AmbitionHer Sisters MarryMiao Shan’s RenunciationShe is Exiled to the GardenThe Nunnery of the White BirdHer Reception at the NunneryShe makes Offering to the BuddhaSpiritual AidThe Nunnery on FireThe Execution of Miao ShanMiao Shan visits the Infernal RegionsHell a ParadiseA Test of VirtueMiao Shan attains to PerfectionA RuseThe Transformation of Shan Ts’ai‘Brother and Sister’The King’s PunishmentThe Disguised Priest-doctorStrange MedicineA Conspiracy that FailedA Confession and its ResultsThe Gruesome RemedyHalf-measuresThe King CuredThe King’s DaughterThe King and Queen taken PrisonersThe King’s RepentanceSackcloth and AshesThe King renounces the ThronePardon of the Green Lion and the White ElephantMiao Shan becomes a BuddhaChapters11Other sectionsLi T’ieh-kuaiChung-li Ch’üanLan Ts’ai-hoChang KuoHo Hsien KuLü Tung-pinHan Hsiang TzŭTs’ao Kuo-chiuPa Hsien Kuo HaiChapters12Other sectionsAn Avatar of the Intelligent PearlA Precocious YouthThe Slaying of the Dragon-king’s SonAn Unruly SonDrastic MeasuresNo-cha draws a Bow at a VentureAnother EncounterNo-cha commits Hara-KiriA Habitation for the SoulLi Ching destroys his Son’s StatueNo-cha consults his MasterA New No-chaA Battle between Father and SonPeace at the LastChapters13Other sectionsChun T’iThe One-eyed PeacockArrangements for the SiegeImpedimentsOffence and DefenceAttempts at RevengeThe Golden-bearded TurtleThe Battle WonBuddhahoodChapters14Other sectionsLegend of Sun Hou-tzŭA Rod of IronGrand Master of the Heavenly StablesGrand Superintendent of the Heavenly Peach-gardenDouble ImmortalitySun Hou-tzŭ CapturedSun escapes from Lao Chün’s FurnaceBroad-jump CompetitionConditions of ReleaseSha Ho-shangSha Ho-shang becomes Baggage-coolieChu Pa-chiehHsüan Chuang, the MasterThe Released CarpThe Chuang Yüan MurderedHsüan Chuang finds his GrandmotherThe Murderer ExecutedThe Carp’s GratitudePai Ma, the White HorsePerils by the WayThe Grove of Cypress-treesA Proposal of MarriageBlind Man’s BuffThe Lotus CaveThe Monkey under the MountainThe Magic GourdThe Magic RopeThe Master RescuedThe Red Child DemonA Prospective FeastThe Generals TrickedThe Demons of Blackwater RiverThe Slow-carts CountryRestraints on FreedomImmortal for SufferingThe Saviour of the BuddhistsAnger of the Buddhist PriestsSun bestows TalismansThe Magic CircleHelp from Ju LaiThe Fire-quenching FanThe Power of the Magic FanDefeat of the Ox-demonThe Lovely WomenAn Awkward PredicamentHow the Master was RescuedThe Spiders and the ExtinguisherShaving a Whole CityThe Return to ChinaThe Travellers HonouredChapters15Other sectionsFox LegendsThe Boon-companionThe Alchemist9Chapters16Other sectionsThe PygmiesThe GiantsThe Headless PeopleThe Armless PeopleThe Long-armed and Long-legged PeopleThe One-eyed People and OthersThe Feathered People, etc.The People of the Punctured BodiesThe Women’s KingdomThe Land of the Flying CartThe Expectant WifeThe Wild MenThe Jointed SnakeThe Casting of the Great BellThe Cursed TempleThe Maniac’s MiteThe City-god of Yen Ch’êngThe Origin of a LakeMiao Creation LegendsThe Dream of the South BranchCh’un-yü Fên enters the Locust-treeHe marries the King’s DaughterHe writes to his FatherHe takes OfficeHe meets with DisastersHe returns HomeCh’un-yü RegenerateTwo Tribes at WarThe Chief’s PromiseA Strange ContractThe Chiefs CuriosityAnd of a WorshipConclusionThe Pronunciation of Chinese WordsSoundToneRhythmABChapters100500Other sectionsEFGHChapters1Other sectionsJKChapters501000Other sectionsNOPQRSTUChapters5Other sectionsWYUniform with this VolumeIn Memoriam◇Gladys Nina Chalmers Werner Page 7◇← Myths & Legends of ChinaPreface →