Through its various uses of themes, morals, and religious concepts, Chinese mythology serves as a guideline for the daily actions of many. Chinese mythology incorporates a vast number of folk stories, poems, and other pieces of literature that originated from China. Usually, these works share several thoughts and ideas, allowing one to make generalizations about aspects that relate to most Chinese myths. These aspects include theme, religion, and morality, which together provide a basic standard that numerous people follow as a norm of society. In accordance with this, mythology was used to reflect lessons and important ideas found in Chinese culture throughout history. An important part of Chinese mythology is the themes found in each story. Themes in Chinese mythology often coincide with religious values during the time. A common theme in Chinese mythology includes the respect for nature. This theme came to be as a result of Shinto and Daoist influence in parts of China. Shinto and Daoist people believe that spirits are embodied into everything, living or non-living. They also claim that angered spirits are the sole cause for natural disasters like storms, droughts, and floods. In a number of Chinese myths, the idea of spirits, their control over natural events, and the need to constantly appease them was evident (Collier 23). These myths ultimately led people to respect and preserve nature as much as possible. Another theme often found in Chinese mythology is the reverence for ancestors. Also a consequence of the Daoist religion, the veneration towards one’s ancestry is very significant in many Chinese myths. Daoists hold ceremonies and build shrines commemorating the dead ancestors of one’s lineage (Roberts 38). These tribute... ... middle of paper ... ...at maintain the harmony of the universe (Philosophy and Theory). This concept of balanced equilibrium is seen many times in Chinese mythology and applies well to real life aspects, especially with the notions of good and evil, and how the two interact in a given person or thing. Mythology in China also tends to show a discouragement towards violence, a main belief of Daoism and Shintoism. This religious concept aims to promote peace in society, where time usually wasted on trivial matters like arguments and war could be spent protecting nature and appeasing spirits (Collier 25). Religion in Chinese mythology has set certain guidelines in which followers of a given faith were expected to act accordingly based on the concepts they learned from legends. It has proved to be one of the more influential factors in the daily actions of those affected by Chinese traditions.
“The whole character of Chinese popular religion flows in the direction of plethora of rituals and obligations without much discernable doctrinal underpinning” (Corduan, 2012, p.410). The Chinese popular religion has gravitated away the gods of Buddha and Daoism and captured the philosophy of luck and materialism (Corduan, 2012), while it “is less concerned with philosophical issues and
Amidst the chaos of political instability and constant warring of the Zhou era, arose many intellectual thinkers that brought such profound impact in the field of politics, religion and philosophy. Even to the day, their influence can be espied in the many matters of China. Confucianism became the paramount school of thinking and later significant philosophies such as Daoism and Legalism gained immense recognition as well. Each party had their own proposals for creating an idealistic political society where the many problems they faced in their everyday lives could be eliminated. All three approaches were very distinct but at the same time, they contained certain similarities as well. In my reasoning, I find that Confucianism and Daoism could be paralleled in many ways to find several common grounds. On the other hand, Legalism goes on to take a more unique approach which was much different from the previous two.
Cao Xueqin’s Story of the Stone is a classic in Chinese literature, showcasing the life and exploits of the wealthy Jia clan during the feudal era. Through Cao’s depiction, the reader is afforded a glimpse into the customs and lifestyle of the time. Chinese mode of thought is depicted as it occurs in daily life, with the coexisting beliefs of Confucianism and Taoism. While the positive aspects of both ideologies are presented, Cao ultimately depicts Taoism as the paramount, essential system of belief that guides the character Bao-yu to his eventual enlightenment. As was the case in China, Cao depicts the two forms of belief existing alongside one another, and not necessarily practiced exclusively to one another.
Both Confucianism and Daoism believe in ghosts and spirits of ancestors that can hinder or help the lives of their descendants, interacting with extraordinary forces of the universe (Brodd, 281). Many temples in China were created not as a space for religious people to dwell but as a space for the ancestors occupy; however, some religious rituals take place in these temples. The Yin-Yang symbol is also a key aspect of Chinese religion, symbolizing the balance between harmony and chaos on Earth and with the divine (Brodd, 280). Similarly, Shinto myths state how Japan is the chosen island of the gods (The Creation of Japan, Fieser, 228). Symbols such as the torii arches represent the entrance to a sacred place, and jinja, or the “dwelling places of the kami,” can be represented by aspects of nature (Brodd, 326). Both Chinese and Japanese religions come together as a community and experience the mythical aspect of religion, whether it be through operas, prayers, or sacred
Myths and religious doctrine are generally recognized as two entirely different things. Myths are usually referred to as a fictitious story or a half-truth; often they are stories shared between groups of people that are part of a cultural society. Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, and purpose of the universe, and often containing an ethical code dictating appropriate human conduct. Although they differ in certain aspects, they still hold similarities. Comparable to parables within the Bible, myths have different versions which are both motivating, as well as entertaining. There are not only parallels to the idea of the stories but specific tales hold similar morals and equivalent characters.
Why do myths from different cultures around the world address such similar or universal themes? Do we see these same themes in today's myths? Think about how myths explain the unknown and the tribulations of mankind.
Mythology is defined as a collection of interrelated stories of a given culture. Myths are intended to explain and describe the mysteries of nature and give understanding about the world that surrounds us. Each culture has their own mythology that reflects their values and beliefs. Myths were also generated to tell the story of the first people to inhabit the earth. The Egyptian mythology elevated these people to the level of Gods and Goddesses by giving them supernatural and special powers. These myths of creation were passed from one generation to the next, either orally or by hieroglyphs painted in sacred temples, pyramids, and sanctuaries.
Confucianism and Daoism are two influential schools of thoughts that have existed in ancient China around the 6th century BCE. The former, led by the politician and philosopher Confucius, proposed that humans live in society according to a set of predefined rules and that they transform society through political action. Whereas the latter, led by the philosopher Lao-Tzu, promoted the idea of inaction; people should go with the flow instead of taking action to control their lives and dominate their surroundings. Although, at first glance Daoism and Confucianism seem to be two opposing philosophies, a more in depth analysis of two of their key ideas –filial piety and education—reveals that they do share some similarities.
The desire to explain the unknown is deeply rooted in the make-up of humanity. What one does not know evinces fear, but also opens a realm of endless possibility that can be manipulated and explained through individual and societal understandings of the truth. Throughout time the human understanding of the truism and science has changed much like the evolution of existence in terms of thresholds. The beauty of this fact is relevant when exploring the cognizance of the universe through the lens of Japanese myth. The culture of the mythology is an essence entwined with religion, which makes for a spiritual and grounded connection to the land and it’s properties. The Buddhist and Shinto religion combined form an inherent connection to time and space in which the Japanese people honor, reference, and mold their knowledge of history. The myths of Japan are a reflection of not only religious terminology, but also the Gods in which the people pray to and worship in temples and shrines. The teachings of Buddha and living within the means of inviolability are held up through myth and a great respect for nature is vital to the infrastructure of the rich culture and linguistic aspects of the stories. The vast domain of stories braided with religion paints a unique picture of origin and meaning that can be explored and organized into thresholds one through eight plus the future.
Egyptians were an astounding set of people woe helped shaping their culture and the rest of the world with the lack of modernized tools. This is translated through their arts, architecture and culture, thus guiding and building the foundation for contemporary society. In terms of history, Egyptians were and still are filled with a vast amount of history which has also contributed with the development unique and diverse society. Their development of religion and culture can be dated back to ancient times and is seen through their various ways of storytelling which has been passed onto generations. These forms of storytelling can be seen ancient Egyptians mythology. Mythology played an important role in ancient Egyptian history because it provided
The characters in both Chinese and Japanese myths have similar personalities and reactions. For example, heroes in both mythologies use tricks, cunning schemes, and intelligence in general achieve their goals, instead of just force and wit. One example in a Japanese myth, a hero named Ito Soda warded away an evil creature by watching guard all night, despite a sleeping spell. “The false O Toyo, having been frustrated on two occasions, now kept away altogether” . An example in a Chinese myth is where a man named Li fought a river god. “The buffalo facing south with a white stripe on the middle part of his body is me… Finally, his chief secretary killed the buffalo facing north (his opponent the river god). That was the end of the river deity and all the trouble he had caused.”
Yang, Lihui, and Deming An. Handbook of Chinese Mythology. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2005. Print.
According to the Chinese culture, the drugs are considered to be legends, which helped the society during the hard times, for example times of war against enemies. According to the Chinese mythology, dragons were creatures with four legs, whose bodies were covered with scales. According to the beliefs of the Chinese people, dragons had power over nature, and as a result controlled natural phenomena such rainfall, floods and even the occurrence of hurricanes. The dragons were also considered to symbolize luck besides symbolizing power and strength. As a result of these beliefs, the Chinese emperors used to use the dragons to symbolize their power over their subjects and also strength over their enemies (Lee, 2002).
Essentially, there are three typical characteristics of mythology. Classic myths often include gods or supernatural heroes, are “closely linked to religion,” and “generally take place in a primordial age, when the world had not yet achieved its current form” (“Mythology” Wikipedia). Furthermore, myths provide an explanation for the existence of life and how the world came to be.
Even though Taoism and many other folk religions have shaped the Chinese mind, Confucianism remains, by any historical measure, its chief mentor” (Novak 113). Therefore, since the two religions grew up together, there are similarities, such as their views on humans, attempting to find harmony in life and in nature, and serve as guides for their followers through self-cultivation and improvement techniques. Confucianism believes that their congregation should have human conduct over the idea of God in their lives, whereas Taoism is formed on the belief that its congregation should create a relationship with nature. This is pointed out by Smith in Experiencing the World’s Religions, “Confucius represents the classical, Lao Tzu the romantic; Confucius stresses social responsibility, Lao Tzu praises spontaneity and naturalness; Confucius focus is on the human, Lao Tzu’s on what transcends the human” (Smith 218).