CHIN 50 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Shennong, Yellow Emperor, Cinnabar
Document Summary
Mythological origins of the world and the creation of the earliest humans. Looks like a shapeless yellow sack, red as cinnabar flame, six feet and four wings, no eyes or face. Crashed out of a massive primordial egg and caused heaven and earth to divide, forming the world. When he lay dying after 18,000 years, his breath became the winds and clouds and voice became thunder. The female deity with head of a human and body of snake. Could transform herself 70 times a day. Created humans with yellow mud with her hands. Lived with brother fuxi (ox-tamer, domesticated animals and invented the family) on kunlun mountain and produced 1st humans through procreation after a favorable sign from gods. After a catastrophe in which the sky crashed down to earth, nuwa used a turtle"s legs as. 4 pillars to support the sky and mended the sky with refined 5 colored stones: geography changed after she fixed it.
