Preface and Acknowledgments
1. Introduction
What Is a Myth?
A General Introduction to Chinese Mythology
Main Sources for the Myths of Ancient China
Shanhaijing
Chuci
Huainanzi
Three Features of the Written Records
Myths Orally Transmitted among Contemporary Han People
The San Tao Jicheng Project
A Myth-telling Performance in Renzu Temple
Myths in Other Ethnic Groups
The Richness of Myth in China's Ethnic Minorities
Flood Myths
Contexts of Myth Telling in Ethnic Minorities
Myth Tellers in Ethnic Minorities
Myths within Chinese History and Society
The Pre-Qin Dynasty Period (before 256 BC)
The Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 CE)
After Han through the Qing Dynasty (220-1911 CE)
Republic of China (1912-1949)
The People's Republic of China (1949-Present)
Influence of Myth on Chinese Culture and Society
Influence of Myth on Belief
Influence of Myth on Literature and Art
Influence of Myth on Daily Life
Influence of Myth on the Chinese Spirit
2. A Timeline of the Mythological World
The Emergence of Gods
Pangu Was Born from the Cosmic Egg
The Gansheng Myths
The Emergence of the Universe
The Cosmos Came from an Egg
The Universe Came from a Divine Corpse
Parents of the Suns and the Moons
The Separation of Heaven and the Earth
The Emergence of Humans
Humans Were Created by Nuwa Molding Mud
Humans Were Re-created by the Brother-Sister Couple
The Invention of Culture
Inventing Agriculture
Acquisition of Fire
Discovery of Chinese Medicine
Inventing Chinese Characters
Inventing Musical Instruments
Cosmic Disasters and Restorations
The Flood and Its Control
The Repair of the Broken Sky
Shooting Down the Surplus Suns
Circular Time
3. Deities, Themes, and Concepts
Ba
Boyi
Buzhou, Mount
Cancong
Cangjie
Chang'e
Changxi
Chiyou
Cords of the Earth
Crow of the Sun
Di Jun
Di Ku
Dragon
Elixir of Immortality
Fangfeng
Feng Bo
Floods, The
Fusang
Fuxi
Gonggong
Goumang
Gun
He Bo
Houji
Houtu
Huang Di
Hundun
Jiandi
Jiang Yuan
Jingwei
Kuafu
Kui
Kunlun Mountain
Leizu
Li
Linglun
Nuwa
Pangu
Pillars of the Sky
Qi
Shaohao
Shennong
Shentu
Shujun
Shun
Sky Ladder
Suirenshi
Taihao
Tang Valley
Twelve Moons
Xiangliu
Xihe
Xingtian
Xirang
Xiwangmu
Yan Di
Yao
Yao Grass
Yi
Yinglong
Youchaoshi
Youdu
Yu
Yu Shi
Yulu
Yuqiang
Zhong
Zhuanxu
Zhulong
Zhurong
4. Print and Nonprint Resources
Print Resources
General Works on Chinese History and Culture
Books and Articles on Chinese Mythology and Relevant Culture
Nonprint Resources
Videos
Web Sites
Glossary
Index
About the Authors