Chinese Mythology: An IntroductionJHU Press, 1999 M04 26 - 322 pages In Chinese Mythology, Anne Birrell provides English translations of some 300 representative myth narratives selected from over 100 classical texts, many of which have never before been translated into any Western language. Organizing the narratives according to themes and motifs common to world mythology, Birrell addresses issues of source, dating, attribution, textural variants, multiforms, and context. Drawing on exhaustive work in comparative mythology, she surveys the development of Chinese myth studies, summarizes the contribution of Chinese and Japanese scholars to the study of Chinese myth since the 1920s, and examines special aspects of traditional approaches to Chinese myth. The result is an unprecedented guide to the study of Chinese myth for specialists and nonspecialists alike. |
Contents
Definitions of Myth 2 Approaches to Chinese Myth 5 The Comparative | 17 |
Origins | 23 |
The Origin of the World 26 The Goddess Nü Kua Creates Human | 35 |
The River God Chü Ling 41 The Fire Driller 42 Fu Hsis Inventions | 58 |
Master Yen Presents His Invention 63 Minor Culture Bearer Traditions | 65 |
Chu Lung Torch Dragon 68 Nü Kua Mends the Sky 69 Hou Chi Saves | 83 |
Crimes of the Gods 90 The Links between Earth and Heaven | 110 |
Ti Ku 114 Chiang Yuan Gives Birth to Hou Chi 116 Pan Hu 118 | 118 |
Chang O 176 Jasper Lady 176 The Goddess of Salt River | 178 |
The Mountain Paradise of Kunlun 183 The Island Paradises in | 187 |
Pan Ku Is Transformed into the Universe 190 The Monster Fish Changes | 199 |
Nü Kua Marries Her Brother in the First Marriage 203 The Lord of the Gra | 207 |
Heroes | 213 |
Ching Wei Dams the Sea 214 Kuafu Races the Sun 215 Hsing Tien | 221 |
Eyebrows Twelve Inches Apart 224 The Five Brothers 227 Li Ping Fights | 228 |
The Giant Peach Tree 233 Leaning Mulberry 234 The Vastness of Kun | 240 |
Po Yi 120 Kun and Yü 121 Yü the Tushan Girl and Chi 122 | 128 |
The Battle between the Yellow Emperor and the Flame Emperor 131 Chih | 137 |
Yi Shoots the Ten Suns to Avert Disaster 139 The Rock of the Nine | 143 |
Yü Controls the Flood 146 The Signs of Yüs Divine Favor 148 Yüs Func | 157 |
Nü Kua 163 Draught Ox and Weaver Maid 165 The Hsiang | 171 |
PiercedChest Country 245 OddArm Country 247 The Country | 250 |
The Founding Myth of the Shang 255 Tang the Conqueror Attacks | 259 |
King Wu of the Chou 261 The Beginning of the Yao People 264 | 267 |