#chinese mythology
The Heluo Zhi Yu or Heluo Yu live with in the rivers of China’s Tower River. These mythical beasts have one head with ten bodies or tails. They are commonly mistaken for squid or octopus. A prized catch, the Heluo Yu’s flesh can cure tumors and other bodily ailments. However it will not be easy, as these fish have the magical ability to gain flight and can transform into a bird.
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The Dijiang (帝江) is one of the strangest creatures catalogued in the Shan Hai Jing. This crimson, six legged, four winged creature is entirely faceless. Despite it’s lack of facial features it can be spotted preforming some incredible aerial gymnastics.
*The Shan Hai Jing or The Classic of Mountains and Seas (山海经) is a Chinese classic text that compiles and catalogues a vast list of mythic geography, flora and fauna.
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Today marks the release of Mulan and with that the reveal of her new guardian, a Fenghuang! You’ll most likely see it being described or translated as a phoenix all though the similarities are purely superficial. While I love Mushu, and I get the upset from some folks, a Fenghuang makes more sense from a cultural perspective. I’m interested to see how this is adapted and incorporated. Anyway, heres a new “Chinese phoenix” and one I made a while back.
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In doing a little more research, it looks as though Mulan will be getting a Fenghuang as her loyal companion. I’m totally fine with this change if that’s what happens. It would make complete sense from a cultural/mythological perspective since the Fenghuang represents the feminine aspect, while the Long(dragon) represented the male. Although when it comes to Mulan she pretty much encompassed both male and female aspects perfectly.
A little on the Fenghuang if you care to know. The Fenghuang is commonly conflated with the western Phoenix. Despite their superficial similarities, the Phoenix’s eastern cousin would more likely be the Vermillion Bird, not the Fenghuang (Although some sources use them interchangeably). The Fenghuang is more a heavenly beast, ruler of all birds, and represents the feminine aspect of Yin. Each part and color of their body symbolizes a different celestial body and virtue while the Vermillion Bird is one of the Four guardians of Chinese Cosmology according to Wu Xing it represents the fire-element, the direction south, and the season summer.
You can find statues of these beauties on Taoist and Buddhist temples throughout Asia.
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Thinking about how people tend to portray Xu Mengjiao being half-yao versus Liu Chenxiang being quarter-god and how strongly their inhuman heritage comes through
宝莲灯
Flooding of Jinshan Temple
白猿取桃 took place before JTTW and I find that hilarious because it means:
1) Sun Wukong got a peach guarding job after a peach-stealing monkey problem had already been established
2) Sun Wukong then became the more famous peach thief
Been a while since I posted a sketch dump huh
hi im back in time to usher in the New Year
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!! And thank heavens for the wonders of technology
The Chinese goddess Mazuoriginated with the deification of a young woman named Lin Mo Niang who had performed numerous miracles during her short life. A kind-hearted girl with a vast knowledge of Chinese medicine, she was known as a healer, curing the sick while teaching people how to prevent illness and injury.
One legend ascribes her mystical powers to an event that took place when she was fifteen. Going with her girlfriends to check out their new dresses in the reflections of a pool, a sea creature erupted out of the water and was holding a bronze disk out, offering it to the girls. Terrified, the others ran away, but the brave Lin Mo calmly accept the bronze. From that moment on, she began to display unusual powers. Already held in high esteem by the villagers for her healing, Lin Mo could now predict changes in the weather and could announce when it was a safe time for sailors and fishermen to set out to sea.
Marine folklore is filled with tales of catastrophes averted when the goddess Mazu, dressed in red, appeared to sailors as a warning that unseen storms were rising and that their voyages should be postponed. Many a seafarer has recounted times when the goddess Mazu appeared as a bright light on their troubled ships, arriving just in time to calm a storm and save their lives. Some said that Lin Mo could actually ride clouds across the ocean, and appear in the flesh to rescue them.
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Meng Po 孟婆; is the Lady of Forgetfulness in Chinese mythology. It is her task to ensure that souls who are ready to be reincarnated do not remember their previous life or their time in hell. She brews the Bittersweet Broth of Oblivion from herbs and pond water. She awaits the souls of the dead at the Ninth Hell, where she serves her Five Flavored Tea of Forgetfulness. One sip of it, and you forget all that you once were; all that remains is karma. This way, your next life is a clean slate.
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If you are interested in animation or Chinese films or both I highly recommend “Nezha Conquers the Dragon King”, exceptionally beautiful traditional-animated movie based on mythology of the warrior deity Nezha. The film is absolutely filled with fun creature designs including THE CUTEST shrimp person I have ever seen. I recommend watching with the original Chinese audio & soundtrack, it is also very beautiful.
There is blood in one scene and a child is briefly nude but otherwise it’s tame
❤️❤️❤️ #nezha
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