In Western mythology, the gods are sublime and supreme, and their actions are sometimes mean, cunning, and even stingy. In the eyes of the gods, human beings are only tools and materials, and the gods are always high above because of their devastating power. However, in contrast, the myths and stories of the Chinese nation paint a different picture: no matter what kind of gods, they must ultimately serve mankind, and some gods even have ordinary people's predecessors.
The ancient times were full of disasters and disasters.
In the ancient period, when the level of science and technology was lagging behind and productivity was low, the living environment of human beings was extremely harsh. In addition to the struggle with ferocious beasts, the difficult natural environment has also become an important objective condition that restricts people's production and life. The legend of Kuafu chasing the sun implies that in ancient times, due to the lack of light on the earth, human beings fell into a cold and dark environment. In order to find a suitable place for survival and full of sunshine, Kuafu represented the human race at that time, chasing the light of the sun, experiencing the barren and endless land, and finally finding a land suitable for human habitation and reproduction at the cost of great sacrifices.
The legend of the gods who defused disasters.
Legend has it that in ancient times, the god of heaven and the god of water worked together, and the co-worker failed to be captured, and he was dissatisfied, and in a fit of anger, he knocked down the Buzhou Mountain that supported the sky, resulting in an imbalance between heaven and earth, and a raging flood. This symbolizes the global flooding due to climate change and terrain changes. Unlike Noah's Ark in Western mythology, there is a great figure in Chinese mythology - Dayu. He led the Terrans to dig rivers to divert floods into the sea, saving countless lives and becoming the founder of the ancient Xia Dynasty in China.
The legend of the hero Hou Yi.
Hou Yi's story is more familiar. He was a well-known archer in the tribe, and his wife was the famous Chang'e. In order to help people avoid the scorching of the ten suns, he used the Divine Bow and Arrows to shoot down nine suns transformed by the Golden Crow. Because of his merits, the heavens bestowed upon him two elixirs of immortality. However, in order to redeem humanity, Chang'e eventually betrayed her husband and soared to the moon to become a god.
The selfless dedication of the harlequin.
In the ancient strange book "The Classic of Mountains and Seas", the period of "ten days in the sky" is depicted. Legend has it that there were ten suns in the sky, causing people to die of hunger and thirst, scorching plants, extinct animals, and the world falling into ruin. As a witch in charge of sacrificial communication with the heavens, although people tried all means to pray for rain to no avail, they could only choose to sacrifice themselves in the end. At the cost of her own life, she stood on the top of the mountain in the guise of a drought fish, vowing not to move until it rained. Although she eventually died of dehydration, not a drop of rain fell from the sky.
Hou Yi's journey of revenge.
The harlequin died in this way in order to save the earth, but there is no subsequent record of her in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas". According to the account of "Huainanzi", the human leader saw that the harlequin was martyred and could not move the heavens, so he sent the strongest marksman of the human race, Hou Yi, to avenge her and challenge the heavens at the same time. The story of Hou Yi shooting the sun unfolds here, becoming a kind of consolation for the harlequin who selflessly sacrificed her life.
Reveal the truth about Hou Yi's shooting day.
However, the speculation of later generations has revealed another aspect of ancient mythology. It is speculated that Hou Yi did not shoot the nine suns, but helped his own tribe and eliminated nine rival tribes. These tribes were equal in strength to their tribes, and they fought against each other, leading to long wars and devastated lives. By exterminating these tribes, the Houyi tribe became the only civilization is thought-provoking and a reasonable guess about the actual meaning of ancient myths.
Epilogue: Ancient civilizations in mythology.
Western scholars have always been skeptical about China's pre-Shang history due to the lack of specific cultural evidence. However, these stories and legends that have been handed down to this day prove the existence of civilizations in ancient times, and perhaps they are lying in a corner somewhere, quietly waiting for our excavation and research. The heroes and disasters in the mythological inheritance, whether it is the migration of Kuafu, Dayu's water control, Houyi's shooting the sun, or the selfless dedication of the harlequin, all constitute the ancient and rich civilization of the Chinese nation. These legends not only reflect the exploration of nature and survival by ancient human beings, but also present the aesthetics and values of Eastern mythology that are completely different from Western mythology.
Through the comparison of Eastern mythology with Western mythology, as well as the stories of heroes in ancient legends, this article shows the unique mythological inheritance and humanistic spirit of Chinese culture. First of all, the article is represented by Kuafu, Dayu, Houyi and the harlequin, respectively depicting the many disasters and disasters in ancient times, the legend of the gods to resolve the disaster, and the selfless dedication of the heroes, forming a colorful mythological picture.
In Western mythology, the gods are often portrayed as supreme and invincible beings, and there is a huge gulf between them and humans. However, the gods in Chinese mythology are closely related to human beings, whether it is Kuafu chasing the sun, Dayu controlling the water or Houyi shooting the sun, these gods are working for the well-being of mankind, showing a kind of humanistic values.
The article delves into the dilemmas and challenges faced by the legendary heroes, such as Kuafu's bumpy journey in finding a habitable land, Dayu's feat of controlling the water to save the people, and Hou Yi and the harlequin's sacrifice of their lives to save the natural disaster. These stories not only reflect the hardships and predicaments of ancient society, but also express people's unremitting pursuit of nature and survival.
Particularly striking is the story of the harlequin, who volunteered to stand up during the drought and use her life to pray for rain to save the people. This spirit of selfless dedication is particularly precious in ancient mythology, highlighting the strong humanistic care and responsibility in Chinese culture.
In addition, the article's interpretation of Hou Yi is also quite meaningful. By revealing the aspect that Hou Yi might have exterminated a hostile tribe rather than the sun, it gives a richer connotation to this ancient myth. This unique interpretation provides readers with a deeper reflection on mythology, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of ancient civilizations.
In general, this article profoundly captures the cultural connotation and humanistic spirit of Chinese mythology in a vivid narrative. Through the interpretation of oriental mythology, readers can better appreciate the breadth and profundity of Chinese civilization, as well as the deep understanding of survival, dedication and responsibility of ancient people. Such a mythological inheritance has undoubtedly added a unique color to Chinese culture.
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