Selected Chinese Mythological Stories – New Curriculum Standard Required Reading Series

Author: Hou Hui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-09-01
Features: Myth refers to collective creations of tribal stories by ancient peoples, based on their primitive understanding of the origin of the world, natural phenomena, and social life. Myths differ from legends, fables, and religion; they primarily express the ancient peoples' understanding of nature and the relationship between humans and nature through supernatural figures and fantastical forms. Historical content in legends, moral instruction in fables, and didactic meaning in religion are rarely found in myths. Myths typically feature gods as protagonists, including various natural deities and deified heroes. The plots of myths generally involve transformations, divine powers, and magic.