Handbook of Chinese Mythology by Lihui Yang

 Handbook of Chinese Mythology by Lihui Yang

The handbook approaches Chinese mythology not as an unchanging artifact of the past, but as a dynamic, living cultural phenomenon. It is divided into clear, academic sections:

1. Historical & Religious Foundations

The introduction provides vital historical context, breaking down the massive geographic and multi-ethnic landscape of China. It highlights how myths were continuously reshaped by China's "Three Teachings"—Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism—as well as the profound role that imperial politics played in transforming ancient spirits into historical historical figures (and vice versa).

2. Chronology of the Mythic Cosmos

The authors organize the scattered narratives into a cohesive, chronological lifecycle of the universe:

• The Origin of the Cosmos: The cosmic egg and the self-sacrifice of Pangu to form the physical world.

• The Creation of Humanity: The goddess Nüwa molding humans from yellow clay and repairing the pillars of heaven.

• The Age of the Culture Heroes: The reigns of legendary sage-rulers like Fuxi (inventor of fishing and writing), the Shennong (the Divine Farmer), and the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi).

• The Great Flood: The heroic cosmic engineering of Yu the Great, who tamed the devastating, world-ending deluge not through magic, but through irrigation and hard labor.

1. Euhemerization (The Historization of Myth)

A defining feature of Chinese mythology highlighted throughout the handbook is euhemerization—the historical tendency to turn gods into human kings, or to deify actual historical figures after their death. Confucians, in particular, frequently stripped ancient deities of their supernatural elements to present them as moral, mortal role models for society.

2. The Celestial Bureaucracy

The handbook vividly details how Chinese folk religion projects human political structures onto the spiritual world. The afterlife and the heavens are run like an expansive imperial government, complete with departments, ministries, promotions, and bureaucratic red tape. If a local god fails to protect a town from drought, the community might report them to higher spiritual authorities or replace their temple statue entirely.

Language: English.

Genre: Mythology.

Binding: সেলাই করা বাইন্ডিং

Quality: Premium Quality Books.

Printing: High Quality Printing.

Paper: Eye Friendly paper (Cream White)

Cover: Matt cover (Paperback).