XingWu🐉ChineseFolklore
@x1ngwu
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🌌 A world of Chinese folklore in art and tales. 📖✨Translations are my own. Mythology | Yaoguai(妖怪) | Ghost(鬼) | Art | Myth | Fantasy | History
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Joined August 2022
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4000+ followers—thank you all so much! 🙌
I translate and write about Chinese
#folklore
,
#mythology
,
#sci
-fi, ghost stories and yaoguai art, especially the lesser-known ones.
Let’s explore the mysteries of the East together. 🌸👻
---
Some quick FAQs:
- How do I know the
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𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐐𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠
Emperor Qianlong, who held the highest power for the longest time in Chinese history and was the longest-reigning emperor, was also a devoted cat lover.
His court artist and apprentice of the Italian Qing Dynasty 1/3
#caturday
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Qin Shi Huang's Encounter with Aliens
According to ancient Chinese mythological novel "Shiyiji" (拾遺記), which was written around year 304-390, Emperor Qin Shi Huang(秦始皇, 221 BC – 210 BC) once had a friendly encounter with an alien.
The alien described himself as coming
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In ancient China, prostitutes were ranked in various levels, with the highest being "hua kui"(花魁). But do you know that male prostitutes (nan guan,男倌) also had distinct rankings?
In the ancient homosexual novel "The Untold History of Longyang,(《龍陽逸史》)" the levels of
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬
The Four Auspicious Beasts, also known as the Four Symbols or Four Guardians, are
#mythologicalCreatures
from Chinese constellations.
This thread is about what they are and what they symbolize.👇
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Nine Sons of the Dragon
In Chinese mythology, the
#dragon
(
#Loong
)'s offspring ARE NOT DRAGONS themselves, but nine mythical creatures, each has unique traits and roles.
This thread explains their origins, personalities, and architectural significance.👇
#WyrdWednesday
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"Reprinting this edition makes one a thief and a prostitute."
"Whoever dares to copy my work will be cursed as a bastard for all eternity."
These statements, sometimes including strange & supernatural elements, found in ancient books, reflect early Chinese copyright practices
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Tang Dynasty Master Xuanzang(602-664)'s Ji(笈) backpack was an ingenious bamboo frame with a large capacity for scriptures.
It had an external suspension system extending above the head for attaching an umbrella or a lamp, making it perfect for travel in any weather or at night.
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Among the Four Great Classical Novels of China, Water Margin is the least known to Western readers I guess, so I would like to introduce it a little bit.
Water Margin, aka Outlaws of the Marsh, is a story set in the late Northern Song Dynasty(960–1127). 1/4
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"Farewell My Concubine(霸王別姬)" is one of the most famous stories in Chinese history and also one of the most celebrated classics of Peking opera.
It is renowned for its portrayal of the tragic downfall of a great hero and his love story that ends in death and separation. 1/3
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According to ancient book "Yu Xie(《玉屑》)", it was Tang Sanzang who first brought cats to China, when he was on his pilgrimage to the West:
"Cats are not native to China, but rather from the Western Tianzhu Kingdom. They are not adapted to the Chinese 1/3
#caturday
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In Chinese novel "Journey to the West," the Monkey King,
#SunWukong
, was imprisoned by the Taishang Laojun in the Eight-Trigram Furnace and forged with fire for forty-nine days.
Instead of being harmed, he gained the ability of "Fire-Eyes and Gold-Vision". 1/2
#mythologyMonday
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In ancient China, terms like "sleeve-cutting" and "peach splitting" referred to male homosexuality.
This thread is about this aspect of history👇
"Sleeve-cutting" originates from Dong Xian(22 BC – 1 BC) during the Western Han Dynasty. Emperor Ai of Han, 1/5
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The most fascinating folk tale I've read this month.
Written in the Tang Dynasty(618–907), it tells how the emperor held a music competition to pray for rain. A top pipa player from Uzbekistan, triumphed until a mysterious female musician—a monk in disguise—outplayed him!
The
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🧵 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞
In Chinese
#folkCulture
, cats of different coat colors have different elegant names.
The cat book, 《貓苑》, states: "A
#cat
's coat color is like a person's glory." 🐈
Check out these cat names in comments!👇✨
#Caturday
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The idiom '兔死狐悲' (The fox is sad at the death of a hare) refers to the rabbit & fox forming an alliance against the hunter. When the rabbit falls, the fox grieves, sensing its own fate may be near. This expression has roots in a historical tale.(ALT)
#legendaryWednesday
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court painter Giuseppe Castiglione, Ai Qimeng, created ten paintings on this theme, titled 'Li Nu Ying' (《狸奴影》 , Images of Cats).
2/3
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𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞
Qiu Ying(仇英)'s "The Garden of Solitary Joy《獨樂園圖》" depicts Sima Guang(司馬光), the Song dynasty scholar-official who authored the ZizhiTongjian, enjoying a solitary&free life in his own garden...
With no work.😎
#MondayMood
#art
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𝐍𝐮̈𝐰𝐚
Nüwa, the mother goddess in Chinese
#mythology
, is credited with creating humanity and repairing the Pillar of Heaven.
She molded humans with yellow clay, and is also known for patching the holes in Heaven caused by a deity battle, using five colored stones (in ALT)
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In Chinese mythology, a kind-hearted deer goddess with a human face and a deer's body resided in a celestial cave upstream of the Yellow River. Hearing of a black dragon causing havoc downstream, she subdued it and made it her steed, ensuring the safety of both people and deer
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Gods of Four Seasons
In Chinese
#mythology
, the
#godsOfTheFourSeasons
are: Spring God Gou mang(勾芒), Summer God Zhu rong(祝融), Autumn God Ru shou(蓐收), and Winter God Yu qiang(禺強).
This thread collects illustrations, introductions, & stories about these gods👇 1/5
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The ten cats depicted in the paintings each have unique postures, portraying them as either elegant and luxurious or charming and delightful. 3/3
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In Black Myth: Wukong, there's a peculiar-looking item called the Boshanlu(博山爐, Boshan Incense Burner). It holds special significance in Chinese culture, embodying ancient people's imagination of mythical islands in the sea.
This tweet introduces its history and background.👇
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A "cha(槎)" is a bamboo and wood raft.
In Chinese mythology, a wooden raft that travels to the heavens is called a xingcha(星槎, "star raft"). People believed that immortals could use such rafts to travel between the human world and the celestial realm across the vast sea.
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In China, cats favored by the emperor were treated like esteemed court officials, even receiving grand burials.
One such cat, Shuangmei(霜眉, Frosted Eyebrows), was deeply loved by Emperor Jiajing(嘉靖), who kept it always by his side.
When Shuangmei died after 1/2
#caturday
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耄耋圖
The
#painting
of cats & butterflies has the auspicious meaning of longevity. "Dogs bring wealth, cats bring nobility", the word "cat" (猫) sounds like the word "耄"(90 years old) in Chinese, "butterfly" (蝶) sounds like the word "耋" (80).
#folkTradition
#Caturday
#art
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The Chinese idiom "千金買骨" (Qiān jīn mǎi gǔ), meaning "a thousand gold to buy bones," originates from the Warring States period and Liu Xiang(77–6 BCE)'s "Zhan Guo Ce". It signifies the pursuit and recruitment of talent, regardless of cost.
Full story in ALT.
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A folk story illustration from Duku Ex Libris series 'The Long Years in Books(《書中歲月長》)', by Ji Zhaohua, 2009
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In Black Myth: Wukong, there is an ancient temple that also exists in reality—Shisi Temple(時思寺), located in Lishui, Zhejiang Province. It was originally built in the 10th year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1140).
#ChineseArchitecture
The temple was
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🐉 Welcome to the mystical realm of Chinese lore!
Step into a world where myths whisper and spirits roam. I translate and share captivating Chinese
#folklore
,
#mythology
, ghost stories & yaoguai paintings.
Join me in unveiling the mystique of the East. 🌸👻
#ChineseWeirdTales
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In Chinese folklore, there's a tale of a devoted cat that listened to its monk owner’s scripture lectures. When the cat died, a lotus flower mysteriously sprouted from its burial site, emerging from the cat's mouth.
This legend is linked to the monk Miaozhi of Lingjiu Temple in
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“How great is your magical power, silly gods,” retorted the Great Sage angrily, “that you dare to mouth such foolhardy words? Don’t go away! Have a taste of old Monkey’s rod!”
#BookWormSat
#journeytothewest
#SunWukong
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𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞
In Chinese
#folklore
, it's believed that each person has nine shadows, each with its own name. The appearance of these shadows is thought to reveal aspects of their fortune.
On their "benming" day (the day corresponding
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𝐇𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐙𝐮
In Chinese
#mythology
, HuangZu(黃祖) is a female tree spirit.
This guardian goddess lives tall, houses thousands of feathered friends, and summons rain with a flick of her wrist.
She keeps tabs on pure hearts & rewards 'em with good fortune.
Story in ALT.
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𝐗𝐮𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐨 𝐉𝐢𝐚𝐧
Tang Dynasty female poet Xue Tao loved writing short poems, but paper was too large &expensive. Unfazed, she got creative, using hibiscus bark to craft small, exquisite, deep-red colored papers. These became a hit known as "Xue Tao Jian".1/2
#folkloreSunday
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝/𝐐𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐨
In Chinese
#mythology
, the blue bird is the messenger of the Queen Mother of the West, and it's often used to refer to a messenger of love.
People believe when they can't see each other again in the mortal world, they can still 1/2
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In Sichuan, there's a stone coffin from the Eastern Han Dynasty that is known as the "First Kiss in Chinese History".
It depicts a loving couple kissing each other more than 1,700 years ago, imagining that after death they would ascend to immortality together.
#mythologyMonday
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𝐅𝐮𝐱𝐢 & 𝐍𝐮̈𝐰𝐚
In Chinese
#mythology
, Fuxi and Nüwa are both creator gods. They are both human-headed serpents, and are credited with creating humanity and bringing civilization through inventions like music, hunting, and writing. 1/2
#MythologyMonday
#ChineseHistory
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
In Chinese
#mythology
, Cangjie, a historian of the Yellow Emperor, created writing by observing the footprints of birds & animals.
At that time, grain fell from the sky & ghosts cried in the night.1/2
#WyrdWednesday
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𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭
Journey to the East, written by Wu Yuantai in the Ming Dynasty, is less known.
It tells the story of the Eight Immortals attaining the Dao and becoming immortals. The Dragon Prince Mojie took away Lan Caihe's jade tablet, 1/2
#MythologyMonday
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞
According to legend, there is a rabbit in the moon. It holds a jade pestle, kneels down to pound medicine, creating pills known as toad pills.
Taking such pills is believed to promote longevity.
#folkloreSunday
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The Kingdom of Women(女子國) is one of the countries recorded in Chinese mythological text Shanhaijing.
Located on an island in the sea, this kingdom is devoid of men. Women conceive and bear children by bathing or peering into a sacred well in the Yellow Pond. If they give birth
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In Chinese history, He Shi Bi(和氏璧) is a legendary treasure known to all. Its earliest mention comes from "Han Feizi":
During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, a man named Bian He(卞和) from Chu saw a phoenix land on a green stone slab on a mountain... 1/6
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In ancient China, physiognomy could predict a person's fortune and misfortune based on their appearance. Similarly, there was a text called 'The Classic of Cat Physiognomy(《相貓經》)' that evaluated the quality of a cat's.
Here are approximately fifteen criteria:
#caturday
(1)
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚
Reigning from 690 to 705, Wu Zetian(武則天) forged her own dynasty, steering China to unprecedented growth, curbing corruption, and igniting a cultural and economic renaissance.
1/2
#LegendaryWednesday
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𝐙𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐜 & 𝐂𝐚𝐭
Chinese lore recounts a race among 12 animals to establish the zodiac's order. While riding the ox to victory, the rat neglected its promise to inform the cat. So the cat's absence from the zodiac stems from this legendary betrayal 1/2
#FairyTaleTuesday
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In Chinese folklore, the "bone-gazing mirror(照骨鏡)" is one of the three great treasures that fell into the hands of
#QinShiHuang
.
It is said to be a square mirror that can see the bones and veins of the human body. If someone puts their hand over their heart, they can see
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Some quick facts for homosexuality in ancient China:
1. Most emperors are bisexual.
2. Apart from The Untold History of Longyang, one famous homosexual novel is Bian Er Chai (弁而釵). The title literally means "to replace a man's hat with woman's hairpins" , a reversal of
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Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio(聊齋志異), written by Pu Songling during the Qing Dynasty, is a collection of 491 supernatural tales featuring fox spirits, ghosts, and demons.
Pu's narratives show more compassion for non-human entities than humans... 1/3
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𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲
In Chinese
#mythology
, the chicken is known as the "bird of the five virtues" and is considered an auspicious creature.
Here is a collection of the famous stories: 👇 1/4
#MythologyMonday
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In Chinese
#mythology
, the Jade Emperor (Yudi) holds a complex position.
Within folk religion, he's seen as a powerful, even primordial god. Yet, Daoist theology portrays him as a subordinate figure to Yuanshi Tianzun, one of the three ultimate manifestations of the Dao.
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In Journey to the West, Princess Iron Fan, also known as Lady Rakshasa, is the demon wife of the Bull Demon King and mother of Red Boy. She wields the powerful Banana Leaf Fan. When Fire Mountain's flames block Tang Sanzang’s path, Sun Wukong seeks her help.
#fairytaleTuesday
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The story of "The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea(八仙過海)" is widely known in China.
In "Journey to the East," Lü Dongbin challenged the other Immortals to cross the sea without using clouds, instead throwing objects into the water to travel on.
#folkloreThursday
1/3
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𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐮
Magu(麻姑), a
#Taoist
immortal in Chinese lore, symbolizes immortality and protects women.
Depicted as a stunning figure with birdlike nails, stories from the Eastern Jin dynasty highlight her insights on the ever-changing East Sea. (in ALT) 1/2
#mythology
#Magu
#Taoism
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In Chinese mythology, the River God marries a wife—but have you heard of the River Goddess, a dragon who appears as a woman, seeking a husband? After her wish was granted by the king, she gifted a magical sandalwood drum in return.
Story and source in ALT.
#mythologyMonday
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🥳A little happy birthday for myself. Here's to another year of adventures.✨
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The Old Man under the Moon(Yue Lao) is a deity in Chinese mythology responsible for marriage.
He transcribes the list of unmarried adults into a registry, & ties the feet of the suitable couples together with a red string, ensuring they become a perfect match.
#fairytaleTuesday
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Heavenly Opening
天門開啟 is a Chinese auspicious sign. In legends, the Heavenly Gate is the passage between the human realm and the divine realm. When the Heavenly Gate opens, people on Earth can see the immortals and sights of heaven.
For those who have cultivated 1/3
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𝟏𝟕 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐬
For weeks, I've been diving deep into
#ChineseGhostMyths
– vengeful spirits, shapeshifting painted skin ghosts, etc. 👻
This thread collects all the spooky stories&folklores I found, in case you missed out.👇
#FairyTaleTuesday
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In ancient China, people often associated rare and precious substances from distant lands with the majestic dragons that ruled the seas.
This was certainly the case for dragon saliva fragrance(龍涎香,ambergris), a waxy substance derived from the intestines of sperm whales.
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A rare Tang Dynasty(618-907) cat painting, found in Zhao Yi's tomb in Anyang, stands out among ancient Chinese artifacts for its scarcity. The cat's lively posture and modern-looking collar and bell make it a unique and striking portrait.
🎨 遺產君 from weibo
#caturday
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝
Lord Yun(雲中君) is a deity from ancient Chinese
#mythology
, originating from the "Nine Songs" by Qu Yuan, a poet from the Warring States period of the Chu state.
He vividly describes the elusive and circulating image of the clouds (in ALT)
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In Chinese folklore, the white ape (白猿) refers to a monkey with white fur throughout its body, and it is associated with longevity.
It is said that monkeys live for 800 years before transforming into apes, apes live for 500 years before transforming into gibbons, and
1/3
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In ancient Chinese mythology, Huaxu(華胥) was the female leader of the Huaxu State during ancient times in China.
She is the mother of Fuxi and Nüwa, the direct ancestor of Yan Emperor and Yellow Emperor, and is regarded as the origin and mother of Chinese civilization. She is
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In Chinese folk customs, a small number of kittens in a litter is considered valuable, hence the saying "one dragon, two tigers."
It is also said that kittens born in the twelfth lunar month are the best. Those born in early summer are called ...
1/2
#caturday
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𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧
Yu Shi (雨師) is a Chinese rain deity residing on the mythical Kunlun Mountain, often equated with the mythological Chisongzi.🌧️
Legend has it that, in the era of Shennong, he quelled a severe drought by sprinkling water from an earthen bowl.
#mythology
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The Ao Mountain Lantern(鰲山) is a large lantern display at the Chinese Lantern Festival. The name "Ao Mountain" originates from the ancient text "Liezi Tangwen," referring to mythical mountains in the Bohai Sea carried by giant turtles.
As early as... 1/3
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In Chinese mythology, there is a place called Xuandu Kingdom(Hanging Ferry Kingdom). The roads are cut off by mountains and streams, so people use ropes to cross the river, with the ropes spanning a distance of two thousand li. The locals cultivate their land
1/2
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Li Bai (701-762), the "Immortal Poet" of the Tang Dynasty, lived a life as wild as his verses. Fueled by wine and friendship, he poured his soul onto the page, crafting poems so powerful they moved even the gods.
His mysterious birth and death sparked legends, 1/3
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In Chinese military flags, the "纛 (dào)" holds the highest status, representing the supreme ruler.
The flagpole of a 纛 has a fur ball at the top, made from the tail of an ox & called "旓 (shāo)." It originated from the Yellow Emperor. 1/3
#LegendaryWednesday
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The ancient Chinese imagination of portals was vast & varied.
In one chilling tale from the Tang era, written by Bai Xingjian around 809, a man walks past a deserted temple and suddenly finds himself stepping into the dream of a distant relative, miles away.
#WyrdWednesday
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The Feihong Pagoda, nestled in Guangsheng Temple on Huoshan Mountain in northeastern Hongtong County, Shanxi, is the largest and most complete glazed pagoda in China.
Originally built during the Han Dynasty as the Ashoka Pagoda, it was constructed in 147 AD to enshrine the true
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Zhao Gongming
In today's Daoist temples, the most commonly venerated statue of
#theGodofWealth
is that of Zhao Gongming(趙公明), a figure depicted with a dark face, thick beard, clad in full armor, and riding a black tiger. 1/2
#art
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𝐅𝐮 𝐙𝐡𝐮
is one of the mythical creatures in Chinese
#mythology
, a white deer with four horns.
Its appearance is gentle and pure, and it enjoys playing with its horns. Whenever it appears, it signifies a period of heavy flood in that area.
#shanhaijing
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🌟Calling all Chinese culture enthusiasts!
I want to dive into your favorites: a mythical creature, an unusual festival or ritual, a legend with a twist, artwork hiding secrets, or a hilariously clever proverb...things that you found mysterious!
Share your specific picks in a
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In the story "Yingning(嬰寧)" from "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio(《聊齋志異》)" by Pu Songling(1640-1715), Yingning is introduced as a mysterious and enchanting young woman with a playful and cheerful demeanor. She is the daughter of a fox spirit and a ghost.
A scholar 1/2
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬
In Chinese
#mythology
, the Seven Fairies (七仙女) are the seven daughters of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother of the West. Renowned for their roles in the Dong Yong and the Seventh Fairy legend, they are central to various tales. 🧚 ALT
#taoism
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China's Sichuan, famed for its 'Barking at the Sun(蜀犬吠日)' tale, sees constant rain.
It is said that the dogs there have no idea of the existence of the sun. So when the sun breaks through the clouds, they get startled and bark at the sky. It is an idiom that 1/2
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In 《酉陽雜��》 (compiled during the Tang Dynasty, 618-907), there is a sci-fi about 82,000 aliens "repairing the moon."
Mysteriously, this tale reveals—800 years before Galileo—that the shadows on the moon are caused by its uneven surface reflecting sunlight.
Here's the story:
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𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 & 𝐒𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐬
An interesting fan
#painting
from the Qing Dynasty, titled "The Picture of Beauty("Pink Lady") & Skeletons".
One side is a maid painting, with a group of women chatting leisurely and comfortably. The other side is a skeleton perspective of them.
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𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥
is a traditional Chinese festival that falls on the 2nd day of the second lunar month. Originated in the Tang Dynasty, it's considered as the birthday of all flowers.
On this day, people go on outings & visit flower temples.
ALT
#TempleThursday
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𝐉𝐢𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐗𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮̈
九天玄女 is the
#goddess
of war, sex, and longevity in Chinese
#mythology
and Taoism.
Legend has it that she has a human head and a bird's body, serving under the Queen Mother of the West and being a teacher to the Yellow Emperor. 1/2
#fairy
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In Chinese folktales, after death, people become ghosts and face judgment in the underworld.
If you have many marriages/remarry after a spouse's death, you could end up with:
1. a fight between your ghost spouses;
2. a fair judge sawing you into pieces, etc
#mythologyMonday
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𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭
is a Ming Dynasty classic that reimagines Xuanzang's pilgrimage as a fantastical tale. Tang Sanzang, the Monkey King Sun Wukong, the pig demon Zhu Bajie & the water monster Sha Wujing, face demons and overcome challenges 1/2
#mythologyMonday
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𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭
is a famous
#goddess
in Chinese
#mythology
and folk beliefs, also revered as a female immortal in
#Taoism
, residing at the Yaochi on Mount Kunlun.
This thread discusses the evolution of her image over time. 👇 1/4
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𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬
In the Song Dynasty, migration to the humid south prompted the adaptation of architecture. The traditional Song-style lattice doors were modified into '落地明造' (floor-to-ceiling lattice windows). 1/2
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𝐁𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐧 (八大山人) & 𝐂𝐚𝐭
This is a thread🧵 about Bada Shanren and his cat
#paintings
.👇
#caturday
Zhu Da/Bada Shanren was the ninth-generation grandson of the seventeenth son of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang.
After the fall of the Ming Dynasty and the deaths of 1/5
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Fu Hao(婦好), the first documented female politician and general in Chinese history, was a trailblazer in many fields. Her husband, Wu Ding, the 23rd king of the Shang Dynasty, deeply admired and worshipped her, venerating her as his protective warrior goddess with a giant axe.
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Zhai(齋) and jiao(醮) are
#Daoist
rituals of worship and prayer. These ceremonies involve setting up an altar, making offerings, burning incense, creating talismans, reciting incantations, presenting memorials, reading scriptures, and chanting praises.
They are accompanied by 1/3
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫
In Chinese
#mythology
, the
#Dragon
's daughter was unjustly exiled to herd magical rain sheep.
Her electrifying quest for justice involves a brave scholar & lots of thunder.
Story in this tweet's and comment's ALTs. 1/2
#MythologyMonday
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