.Chinese
Myths and Fantasies
Ancient Chinese myths were not recorded in a systematic way in any work, and , as a
result, only fragments of them are extant today.
Fortunately, many classical works of the pre-Qin period and the Han Dynasties, such as
the Zhuangzi, the Liezi, the Huainanzi, the Chronicles by Zuo
Qiuming, Conversations from the States, and above all, the Book of Mountains and
Seas, contain fragments and excerpts of ancient mythical stories, which make up a
beautiful and fascinating part of our classical literature.
Below are some of the myths most known even to children. They are short but vivid. As
you will see, most of the main characters in these mythical stories are gods, ghosts foxes
and spirits with human qualities and human feelings.
Learn more about Chinese
myths and fantasies.
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