Chinese Mythology
Chinese Mythology

Author: Anne Birrell

Publisher: JHU Press

Published: 1999-04-26

Total Pages: 350

ISBN-13: 9780801861833

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In Chinese Mythology, Anne Birrell provides English translations of some 300 representative myth narratives selected from over 100 classical texts, many of which have never before been translated into any Western language. Organizing the narratives according to themes and motifs common to world mythology, Birrell addresses issues of source, dating, attribution, textural variants, multiforms, and context. Drawing on exhaustive work in comparative mythology, she surveys the development of Chinese myth studies, summarizes the contribution of Chinese and Japanese scholars to the study of Chinese myth since the 1920s, and examines special aspects of traditional approaches to Chinese myth. The result is an unprecedented guide to the study of Chinese myth for specialists and nonspecialists alike.

Divination, Mythology and Monarchy in Han China
Divination, Mythology and Monarchy in Han China

Author: Michael Loewe

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1994-09-15

Total Pages: 394

ISBN-13: 9780521454667

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Chinese empires were established by force of arms, but sustained by religious rites and intellectual theory. The four centuries from 206 BC to AD 220 witnessed major changes in the state cults and the concepts of monarchy, while various techniques of divination were used to forecast the future or to solve immediate problems. Michael Loewe examines these changes and the links between religion and statecraft. While both mythology and the traditions nurtured by the learned affected the concept and practice of monarchy throughout the period, the political and social weaknesses of the last century of Han rule bring into question the success that was achieved by the imperial ideal. Nevertheless, that ideal and its institutions were of prime importance for the understanding of Han times and for the influence they exercised on China's later dynasties.

Egyptian Myth: A Very Short Introduction
Egyptian Myth: A Very Short Introduction

Author: Geraldine Pinch

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2004-04-22

Total Pages: 161

ISBN-13: 0192803468

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This text explains the cultural and historical background to the fascinating and complex world of Egyptian myth, with each chapter dealing with a particular theme.

Mythic Worlds, Modern Words
Mythic Worlds, Modern Words

Author: Joseph Campbell

Publisher: New World Library

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 384

ISBN-13: 9781577314066

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The mythographer who has command of scholarly literature, the analytic ability and the lucid prose and the staying power.

Chinese Myths and Legends
Chinese Myths and Legends

Author: Lianshan Chen

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2011-08-25

Total Pages: 153

ISBN-13: 052118679X

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An illustrated introduction to the stories of deities, heroes and the origins of the universe that underpin traditional Chinese culture.

Tales of the Teahouse Retold
Tales of the Teahouse Retold

Author: Katherine Liang Chew

Publisher: iUniverse

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 478

ISBN-13: 0595254195

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Tales of the Teahouse Retold is based on the author's original translation of Feng Shen Yan Yi, an important volume of Chinese mythology first published during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is the story of the overthrow the Shang Dynasty (circa 1766-1122 BC) and the founding of the Chou Dynasty (1122-249 BC). Combining historical facts, folklore, mythology, and legends, these tales describe a time when gods and men, beasts and monsters, and spirits and specters mingled with each other in peace and war. The saga begins when King Zhou of Shang offends the Snail Goddess, who sends three specters to bewitch the king in retribution. The kingdom falls into chaos and civil war ensues, with gods and other supernatural beings taking sides. In the end, many of the slain heroes are invested as gods. For centuries, the tale was told in successive story-telling sessions as teahouse entertainment. The author has faithfully kept to the original style and ambience in retelling these tales. Tales of the Teahouse Retold will be of interest to fans of oriental mythology, philosophy, and literature. It is suitable for recreational reading as well as supplemental reading for students of Chinese history and culture.