The Definition of China's Traditional Myth

China myth is a treasure of China culture and history, which is circulated in fables, novels, religions, dances and plays through oral or written records. To some extent, ancient myths will be assumed to be the real part of history, and the original written records are scattered in such classics as Shan Hai Jing, Notes on Water Mirror, Shangshu, Historical Records and Shilu Chunqiu. According to Yuan Ke's classification, China myths can be divided into three types: myths, legends and fairy tales. From the Jin Dynasty to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, there appeared a category called "mystery novels" or "ghost novels" in the history of China literature, many of which refer to myths, legends and fairy tales, among which the famous ones are Romance of Ghosts and Ghosts, The Journey to the West and Liaozhai.

Myth is a story and legend that reflects the ancient people's original understanding of the origin of the world, natural phenomena and social life through supernatural images and fantasies.

Due to the low level of productivity in ancient times, people could not scientifically explain the origin of the world, natural phenomena and contradictory changes in social life, so they personified the power of nature with the help of fantasy. Myths often show the ancient people's resistance to natural forces and their pursuit of ideals.

The content of China myth

(1) Creation myth. Myths about the creation of heaven and earth, the origin of human beings and everything. Also known as opening a myth. The myth of creation is a naive explanation and description of nature and the universe in the form of fantasy in human childhood, which reflects the original ideas of primitive ancestors on heaven, earth, the universe and the origin of human beings.

(2) The myth of the sun, the moon and the stars. Myths that explain natural phenomena such as the sun, moon and stars. The myth of the sun, moon and stars first put forward the origin of the sun, moon and stars. China has five myths: fertility, metaplasia, egg-laying, casting and creation. In addition, there is another saying that the sun is a heroic god and a celestial emperor. There are also some myths that explain the origin of some constellations.

(3) the myth of the origin of animals and plants. A natural myth. It is an explanatory story of primitive people about the origin and characteristics of animals and plants. In the primitive era of fishing, hunting and gathering economy, the level of human productivity is extremely low, and it is still impossible to distinguish between itself and nature. People often think that the animals and plants around them have the same perception, feeling and life history as themselves, especially those that have a direct interest in people's life and production, and then use visual fantasy to explain their sources and characteristics, which has become the myth of the origin of animals and plants.

④ Flood myth. A worldwide myth about the destruction of the universe and the rebirth of mankind. Most of the records about floods in ancient China were related to water control.

⑤ The myth of Nuwa. Nu Wa is the goddess of creation in China mythology. It is a great goddess image handed down from the matriarchal clan period in primitive society.

6 Fuxi myth. The myth created by China culture. Fuxi, also called Taihao Fuxi, is said to be the son of Hua Xushi who stepped on Raytheon's footprints in Razer. He can "go up and down" along the building timber growing in the wild in Du Guang as a ladder.

⑦ The myth of emperor. The myth of Heaven Emperor worshipped by Yin people in ancient China. Oracle Bone Inscriptions's name is Gaozu? . He was the ancestor of the Yin people and was later promoted to the Emperor of Heaven.

8 myth. Yi is a hero who shoots at the sun in China mythology. According to pre-Qin ancient books, Yi is either called Yi (Zuo Zhuan, Tian Wen) or Renyi (Shan Hai Jing).

Pet-name ruby Chang 'e myth. Chang 'e is the moon goddess in China mythology. The myth of the Goddess Chang'e flying to the moon is the most popular.

The characteristics of China myth

1) around the theme of survival:

1, echoing the echo of labor creation, is a vivid record of labor creation and a praise for labor performance and initiative.

2, full of care for the people:

The goddess fills the sky, shoots for nine days, controls water by Yu, and fills the sea by Jing Wei, all in order to get rid of and overcome the troubles of natural disasters; The purpose of the Yellow Emperor's war against Chiyou is to destroy the evil forces in the world and prevent them from endangering the normal survival of mankind.

(B) show a broad and tenacious spirit:

From the struggle of mythical heroes, we can clearly see the tenacious will to struggle and high-spirited spirit that flashed in China's mythology. In order to realize the ideal, this fearless spirit of dare to struggle, dare to sacrifice, strive for self-improvement and sacrifice oneself for others is shown in myths and legends, which conforms to the traditional style of the Chinese nation, that is, the spirit of actively fighting against fate. In China's mythology, gods or heroes with great military exploits first created a rare living condition for all people in the world with their brave spirit and heroic behavior. Secondly, their struggle is indomitable, lasting and invincible. Although the gods and heroes in western mythology are brave and strong, they are often influenced by an unknown abstract fate.

(3) where the wings of myth soar, it is always the first sound of scientific creation and invention (myth is sometimes a scientific prediction or fantasy science)

(4) From the artistic point of view, myth has a strong positive romantic spirit: bizarre plot, fantastic fantasy, bold exaggeration and rich imagination.