For question about Chinese myths and legends.
Questions tagged [chinese]
36 questions
26
votes
4 answers
Are Kitsune and Huli jing the same?
Both the kitsune and huli jing are "fox spirits" with 9 tails, tricksters that can shapeshift into, or possess, young women.
One famous kitsune appears in the true story of Hideyoshi writing a letter threatening to kill all foxes in Japan unless…
congusbongus
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22
votes
1 answer
Why do some Asian dragons have fur (or hair)?
In the west, we tend to think outside dragons as purely reptilian in nature - in other words, all scales, no fur - but many Asian representations of dragons show them with substantial amounts of fur (or hair).
Scaly Western Dragon
Furry…
Wad Cheber
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21
votes
1 answer
What kind of god was the Yellow Emperor?
The Yellow Emperor is the legendary first ruler of China and originator of Huaxia Chinese civilisation, reigning during 2698–2598 BC, and as recently as 1920s he was regarded by most Chinese as a real figure. Modern scholars cast doubt on his…
congusbongus
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20
votes
3 answers
How did the Monkey King (Sun Wukong) go from fictional character to religious icon?
Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, seems to have got his start as a fictional character in the classical novel "Journey to the West" by Wu Cheng'en (though I have read a vague statement somewhere that earlier stories of a monkey assistant to Xuanzang may…
femtoRgon
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20
votes
1 answer
Who is the Chinese supreme god?
Analogous to the Greek Zeus or the Norse Odin, who is the supreme god in the Chinese folk religion pantheon?
It seems that this may be the concept of "Tai Di", or primordial divinity, but it's unclear who this is, as in various contexts, this could…
congusbongus
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15
votes
1 answer
How accurate is the depiction of the Jade Emperor in "Journey to the West"?
In the 16th-century Chinese classic Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en, the Jade Emperor is depicted as ruling over Heavens the way an actual human emperor would rule over a country. Complaints are brought to him and he rules by decrees and…
plannapus
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13
votes
1 answer
How was Guan Yu deified?
Guan Yu was a real general who lived almost 2000 years ago, but was deified as early as the Sui dynasty (circa 7th century). He is still an important figure of Chinese folklore today, worshipped by many as a god of war, righteousness, and…
congusbongus
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12
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1 answer
How was the reputation of Zhuge Liang established, before joining Liu Bei?
According to legend (particularly Luo Guanzhong's "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"), after Liu Bei pays three visits to the remote thatched cottage of the strategist Zhuge Liang (Kongming), he agrees to join him.
Zhuge Liang is touted as among the…
femtoRgon
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12
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1 answer
Map of Guan Yu crossing 5 passes?
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, after Guan Yu finds out Liu Bei is still alive and with Yuan Shao, he departs Cao Cao from Xuchang and heads north, in a story known as crossing five passes and slays six generals (過五關斬六將).
Is there a map of this…
congusbongus
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11
votes
1 answer
Son of Heaven: who is the father/mother?
Among East Asian / Confucian empires (China and Vietnam, maybe others), emperors ruled under a philosophical concept known as Mandate of Heaven - that is, heaven will grant a specific ruler the right of government based on virtue, and natural…
congusbongus
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10
votes
4 answers
How do people become immortal as per Taoism?
While reading on Taoism, I came across some people who became immortal through a variety of ways. Right now, some I remember are:
White Peony successfully made Lü Dongbin ejaculate and absorbed his Yang essence. Later she cultivated herself and…
user1385
10
votes
1 answer
What are the origins of Wu Song the Tiger Slayer?
Wu Song is a major character in the Chinese classical novel Water Margin; his claim to fame is killing a tiger with his bare hands.
Since Water Margin draws heavily from folklore, and the story of fighting off a large predator isn't exactly original…
congusbongus
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10
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4 answers
What is the meaning of Sage in respect of eastern folklore?
I am looking for a more concrete definition of what an eastern sage is and an explanation of the background of the eastern sage.
Many translations of eastern martial arts feature sages. They are generally people who have "transcended" humanity,…
anon
9
votes
1 answer
School in the Sky?
I'm looking for references to schools in the sky. Was there a school that the Greek gods attended? A university frequented by the Norse pantheon? An academy in Tian? I'd love any pointers you've got.
bill frumpterton
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9
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2 answers
How did you survive my 100-step punch?
I remember from long ago a story about a martial artist, The Bully, who was renowned for his "100-step punch": if he lands the blow, you will die after taking 100 steps. One day another martial artist, The Hero, gets into a fight with The Bully,…
Mike Finch
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