Chinese mythology
Dragons and immortals
Chinese mythology encompasses the traditional stories, legends, and religious narratives of China, featuring gods, immortals, dragons, and supernatural beings.
It draws from Taoist, Buddhist, and folk traditions, with figures like the Jade Emperor, the Eight Immortals, and the Monkey King.
Creation myths vary by region, but many center on Pangu or Nüwa.
Unlike Greek mythology's fixed canon, Chinese mythology blends seamlessly with history, philosophy, and ancestor veneration: Journey to the West draws heavily on Chinese mythology.
- Mandate of HeavenHeaven-granted authority to rule
- spiritSoul, mood, or liquor
- dragonLegendary fire-breathing reptile
- demonMalevolent supernatural being
- MulanFolklore's female conscript
mountain · tiger · creation myth · phoenix · Jade Emperor · yang · lotus · heavenly · ancestor · tortoise · Monkey King · underworld · scroll · yin · celestial · incense · qi · Samsara
- Mythologies
- mythologyZeus, Apollo, Athena, Poseidon, Odin
- Myth RetellingsCirce, Clytemnestra, Ariadne, Lavinia, fairy tale adaptations
- Chinese philosophyConfucianism, Confucius, Taoism, Daoism, Tao
- Chinese Religionancestor veneration, Confucianism, Daoism, Taoism, Buddhism
- SinologyConfucianism, Daoism, Han dynasty, Qing dynasty, Four Books
Chinese mythologyGreek mythology
Ancient Greek divine narratives
Norse mythology · Roman mythology · Egyptian mythology · Celtic mythology · Hindu mythology
Chinese mythologymodern science
Post-Enlightenment systematic investigation
scientific method · rationalism · materialism · atheism · skepticism