Unveiling China’s 10 Classic Legends: Tales of Myth, Magic, and Tradition

Jingwei Filling the Sea

Once upon a time, there was a Sun God named Yan Emperor, who adored his daughter, Nuwa （女娃）. Despite his busy schedule managing the sun and crops, he rarely had time for her.

One day, Nuwa longed to witness the sunrise at her father’s workplace by the Eastern Sea. Determined, she set out alone on a small boat. Tragically, a storm overturned her boat, and she perished at sea. Yan Emperor mourned deeply for his daughter, but he couldn’t bring her back to life.

Nuwa’s spirit transformed into a bird named Jingwei, filled with hatred for the merciless sea. Jingwei tirelessly carried pebbles and twigs from Mount Fuji to fill the sea, seeking revenge despite its mocking. People admired Jingwei’s determination, naming her «wronged bird» or «oath bird.» They erected a monument in her honor by the Eastern Sea.

Jingwei’s unwavering perseverance symbolizes resilience and noble aspirations, inspiring generations. In a poem by Tao Yuanming, he praised Jingwei’s courage in the face of adversity. Henceforth, «Jingwei filling the sea» became a metaphor for the remarkable efforts of noble-hearted individuals.

Hou Yi and the Ten Suns

In the ancient days, when the world was young and the suns danced freely across the sky, there lived a hero named Hou Yi. From the moment he drew his first breath, it was clear that Hou Yi possessed a rare gift – the gift of archery. As he grew, his skills with the bow became the stuff of legend, and tales of his prowess spread far and wide.

But amidst the awe-inspiring beauty of the heavens, a crisis loomed over the earth. Ten suns blazed relentlessly in the sky, scorching the land, withering crops, and driving fear into the hearts of humanity. People struggled to endure the oppressive heat, while ferocious beasts prowled unchecked, taking advantage of the chaos.

Hou Yi could not bear to see his fellow humans suffer. With unwavering determination, he resolved to confront the blazing threat and restore balance to the world. Climbing to the highest peak, he drew his bow with steady hands, aiming his arrows at the suns above.

With each shot, a sun fell from the sky, until only one remained. But as Hou Yi prepared to unleash his final arrow, a realization dawned upon him – without the sun, life on earth would be plunged into darkness and despair.

In a moment of selflessness, Hou Yi spared the last sun, choosing to preserve its light for the sake of humanity. And so, the hero’s brave act brought relief to the land, and his compassion shone as brightly as the sun itself.

This tale reminds us that true courage lies not only in strength and skill, but also in compassion and sacrifice. Hou Yi’s legend lives on as a testament to the power of selflessness and the enduring spirit of humanity.

Chang’e flying to the moon

In a distant land, there lived a young man named Hou Yi, who was deeply in love with a maiden named Chang’e. Their bond was as strong as the mountains and as tender as the breeze that caressed the fields.

One day, disaster struck when ten suns blazed fiercely in the sky, scorching the earth and bringing hardship to the people below. Unable to bear the suffering of his fellow beings, Hou Yi took up his bow and arrow and shot down nine of the suns, bringing relief to the land.

Hou Yi’s bravery and skill made him a hero among the people, and many sought to learn from him, including a man named Peng Meng, whose heart harbored darkness and deceit.

The Queen Mother of the West, impressed by Hou Yi’s valor, gifted him with the elixir of immortality. However, Hou Yi could not bear to part with his beloved Chang’e, so he entrusted the elixir to her care.

One fateful day, while Hou Yi was away on a hunting expedition, Peng Meng, driven by greed and malice, attempted to steal the elixir from Chang’e. In a moment of desperation, Chang’e consumed the elixir and ascended into the heavens, her heart heavy with love for her husband.

As she soared towards the sky, Chang’e found refuge on the nearest celestial body – the moon. There, surrounded by the gentle glow of moonlight, she became an immortal being, forever watching over the earth below.

Moved by Chang’e’s sacrifice and devotion, the people began to honor her by placing offerings beneath the moon’s soft glow, praying for her blessings of peace and prosperity.

This story is widely believed to have inspired the Mid-Autumn Festival in China. This legend, along with other cultural and harvest-related traditions, gave rise to the annual celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Mooncake Festival or Moon Festival.

Kuafu Chasing the Sun

Long ago, in a land where giants roamed and legends were born, there lived a hero named Kuafu. He belonged to a mighty clan known for their strength and kindness, dwelling on a distant mountain called Chengdu Zaitian in the far north. Despite their imposing appearance with yellow snakes adorning their ears and hands, the Kuafu clan were gentle souls, always striving to make life better for themselves and others.

In their northern home, where winters were harsh and summers fleeting, the people longed for the warmth and light of the sun. Each day, as the sun rose in the east and set quickly in the west, they dreamed of a way to keep it shining forever above their mountain. So they chose Kuafu, a brave and determined soul, to embark on a quest to chase the sun and bring its radiant light back to their land.

Filled with excitement and determination, Kuafu set off on his journey, his giant strides covering vast distances in mere moments. He chased the sun as it dipped towards the horizon, racing to catch it before it disappeared from sight. But as the day wore on, the scorching heat of the sun made Kuafu terribly thirsty. Desperate for relief, he drank from the mighty Yellow River and the Wei River, but their waters vanished before his thirst could be quenched.

Undeterred by his thirst and the sun’s relentless heat, Kuafu pressed on, determined to reach the sun and fulfill his mission. Yet, despite his bravery and perseverance, Kuafu’s thirst proved too great, and he collapsed before reaching his goal.

Though Kuafu’s quest ended in tragedy, his courage and determination became a cherished tale, inspiring generations to pursue their dreams with unwavering resolve. And though the sun continued its journey across the sky, Kuafu’s spirit lived on as a testament to the power of determination and the enduring quest for greatness.

Pangu’s creation

Once upon a time, in the midst of a boundless expanse of chaos, there existed no heavens, no earth, and no life. Yet within this swirling sea of disorder, there lay dormant a being named Pangu, incubating for an unimaginable span of 18,000 years.

Finally, one fateful day, Pangu stirred from his slumber and opened his eyes to the formless void around him. With a mighty surge of divine energy, he summoned forth his strength and began his monumental task. With a single, resounding stroke, Pangu cleaved the chaos asunder, separating the heavens from the earth and giving birth to two distinct realms.

With each passing day, Pangu toiled tirelessly, shaping the world with his hands and his will. He stretched the heavens high above, creating a vast expanse for the sun, the moon, and the stars to dwell. He molded the earth below, forming mountains, valleys, and plains, and breathed life into the rivers, lakes, and seas.

But as the eons passed and his labor continued, Pangu grew weary. His once boundless energy waned, and he knew that his time was drawing near. With a heavy heart, he laid himself down upon the earth, his body becoming the very foundation of the world he had created.

In his final moments, Pangu’s essence transcended his mortal form, giving rise to the wonders of nature that we know today. His breath became the gentle breeze that rustles through the trees, his voice the rumble of thunder in the sky. His eyes became the sun and the moon, casting their radiant light upon the world below. His blood flowed to form the rivers and oceans, sustaining life wherever it touched.

And as Pangu breathed his last, his body transformed into the towering mountains and sprawling landscapes that grace the earth to this day. Thus, through his sacrifice, Pangu gave birth to a world of beauty and wonder, a testament to the boundless power of creation and the enduring spirit of one humble soul.

The Creation of humans by Nuwa (女娲)

In the age when the heavens and the earth were newly formed by Pangu, there existed a goddess named Nuwa. Despite the splendor of the newly created world, Nuwa felt a deep sense of solitude within her divine heart.

Observing the vast emptiness around her, Nuwa yearned for companionship. Drawing inspiration from her own divine essence, she decided to craft beings in her likeness. With tender care, she molded clay and shaped it into little figures, breathing life into them with water from the sacred springs.

As Nuwa gazed upon her creations, she marveled at their resemblance to herself. These beings, fashioned with her own hands, possessed a spirit and vitality that set them apart from all other creatures. With joyful exuberance, they frolicked at her feet, filling her divine abode with laughter and chatter.

But as Nuwa surveyed the vast expanse of the world, she realized that her children were too few to fill the vastness of creation. Determined to spread life and joy throughout the land, Nuwa tirelessly continued her work, shaping more and more beings with her divine touch.

However, as the hours turned into days, and the days into years, Nuwa’s hands grew weary from the endless toil. Desiring a more efficient method to populate the world, Nuwa ingeniously devised a new plan. She plucked a vine from the nearby forest and dipped it into the fertile mud of the earth. With a flick of her wrist, she scattered droplets of mud across the land, each one transforming into a human being imbued with her divine essence.

As the mud-born humans scattered across the earth, they brought with them the warmth of Nuwa’s love and the spark of her creativity. With each passing moment, the world became filled with the vibrant tapestry of humanity, each individual a testament to Nuwa’s boundless compassion and unwavering dedication.

And so, the world flourished with life, thanks to the ingenuity and love of the goddess Nuwa, whose divine touch continues to be felt in the hearts of all her children to this day.

Nuwa’s （女娲） Celestial Mend

In the ancient tales of our land, there lived a goddess named Nuwa, known for her kindness and generosity towards humanity. She taught people the ways of love and crafted the enchanting sheng, a musical instrument that filled the air with melodies of joy.

But among all her deeds, none were as remarkable as the story of Nuwa mending the sky. It is said that once, when humans flourished on the earth, a great calamity struck. The water god, Gonggong, and the fire god, Zhurong, clashed in a fierce battle that shook the very foundations of the world.

In their fury, Gonggong struck Mount Buzhou with such force that it shattered, causing half of the sky to collapse and the earth to crack open. Chaos reigned as floods, fires, and fearsome beasts threatened to consume humanity.

Witnessing the suffering of her people, Nuwa’s heart was filled with compassion. She resolved to mend the sky and restore order to the world. Gathering colorful stones, she melted them into a magical paste with her divine fire, using it to patch the hole in the sky.

To support the fallen heavens, Nuwa fashioned pillars from the legs of a giant turtle, and with great determination, she raised them high. She also defeated the black dragon terrorizing the land and calmed the raging waters with ashes made from burning reeds.

Through her tireless efforts, Nuwa succeeded in restoring peace and harmony to the world. Yet, the scars of the catastrophe remained. The sky tilted slightly to the northwest, guiding the sun, moon, and stars in their celestial dance, while rivers flowed towards the southeast.

And so, the legend of Nuwa’s bravery and compassion echoed through the ages, a testament to the enduring power of kindness and courage in the face of adversity.

The Great Yu and the floods

In ancient times, when the land was plagued by relentless floods, the people cried out for salvation. Hearing their pleas, Great Yu stepped forward, a humble man with a heart as vast as the waters that threatened their homes.

With determination etched on his face, Great Yu rallied the people, calling upon their collective strength to face the fury of nature. Together, they toiled day and night, their hands blistered from the labor, their spirits unwavering in the face of adversity.

With wisdom gleaned from the failures of the past, Great Yu led his fellow men in a battle against the mighty floods. They dug channels, cleared obstacles, and diverted the waters with every ounce of strength they possessed. Through hardship and sacrifice, they worked tirelessly, their resolve unyielding, their determination unshakeable.

But it was not just the physical labor that weighed upon Great Yu’s shoulders. As he toiled in the waters, his thoughts often drifted to his family left behind, their safety entrusted to the care of others. Yet, fueled by his sense of duty and compassion for his fellow beings, Great Yu pressed on, his heart heavy with the burden of responsibility.

Through his unwavering dedication and selfless sacrifice, Great Yu became a beacon of hope for his people. And as the waters receded and the land once again bloomed with life, the people hailed him as a hero, their gratitude echoing through the ages. For in the heart of Great Yu, the spirit of compassion and resilience had triumphed over the forces of nature, leaving behind a legacy of courage and unity for generations to come.

YuGong and the mountain

Once upon a time, in a remote village nestled between two towering mountains, lived an elderly man named Yugong, along with his loving family. Their daily lives were burdened by the presence of these formidable mountains, which blocked their paths and made simple tasks a challenge.

Yugong, despite his old age, harbored a deep determination to change their situation. Gathering his family one evening, he shared his audacious plan to move the mountains that stood as obstacles in their lives. Surprisingly, his family embraced the idea wholeheartedly, eager to alleviate the struggles they faced.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, as Yugong and his family toiled tirelessly to move the mountains. Yet, despite their efforts, the mountains remained unmoved, standing as steadfast as ever. Amidst their labor, a neighbor named Zhisou scoffed at their endeavor, ridiculing Yugong for his futile efforts.

Undeterred by the mockery, Yugong remained resolute, teaching his children and grandchildren the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. He knew that even though they might not see immediate results, their collective determination would eventually yield success.

Their unwavering commitment moved the heavens themselves, and the gods took notice of their plight. Impressed by their human spirit, the gods descended to lend their aid. Together, they worked to move the mountains, granting Yugong and his family the relief they had long sought.

In the end, the story of Yugong and his family serves as a timeless reminder of the power of determination and unity in overcoming life’s greatest challenges.

The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl

The story of Niulang and Zhinü has several versions, and I will explore them further in another article.