Ancient Chinese Myths VS Ancient Greek Myths Mythology

Ancient Chinese Myths VS Ancient Greek Myths 第二组 李淑文 吴奥 刘凡 刘莎 陈小燕

Mythology is the results that naive imaginations explore the facts of life. -------H. J. Rose Mythology is not only marvellous story, but also related to the common life , especially is the parable fulled of enlightment in social life. ------- GS Kirk

Differences: 1. The features of the mythology 2. The functions of the deity to the society 3. The worship in the mythology 4. The spirit in the mythology

the characterristics of the chinese myths • consistent with the development of the history. 1. the Three Sovereigns（三皇）: Fu Hsi(伏羲), Nv Wa（女娲）, shennongshi（神农氏，神话中最 早的农神）. 2. the Five Emperors（五帝）; Yellow Emperor(黄 帝)，Chuan Hs（颛顼，传说中原始时代的部族首 领，号高阳氏，生于若水，居于帝丘（今河南濮 阳西南）曾参加炎帝、黄帝同盟)）Emperor Ku（ 帝喾）Tang Yao(唐尧)，Yu shun（虞舜）

• it emphasize the functions and contributions of divinity to the age. . Fu Hsi: the founder of Ba Gua(八卦) Nv Wa: created the human beings • the relationship between man and deity: ※the combination of beast and divinity(神兽合一) Nv Wa: human head with snake body(人面蛇 身) Yan Di: huamn body with cattle head（牛面人 身） Pan Gu: dog head with human body（狗头人 身）

Worship of female: In chinese myth. woman is superior to man. Because it is the product of the matriarchal clan society National spirit: In chinese myth, it adcocates ethics, place priority to the protection of common people. it spur people to sacrifice for the well-being of the people, and emphasize the collectivism

• Chinese myths: the hero emerged in the process for the public benefits. • The monk Xuan Zang acquired Buddhist scriptures. • Mr. Fool moves the Mt. Taihang and Wangwu.

Self-sacrifice Hou Yi shoot the suns

The ancient Chinese myths mirror the core of collectivism spirit -----duty Standard. They emphasized all manner of duties that people should do for the nature , society and other people.

the features of the ancient Greek Myths • refers to the mythological story of the Mesopotamia(两河流域) In the culture of Mesopotamia: 1. Bel-Merodach overthrown his ancestor In ancient Greek, : 1. Crouns(克洛诺斯) pulled down Uranus（乌 拉诺斯 2. Zeus toppled his father Crouns

it emphasize the role the heroes played in the culture Jason: Golden Fleece Odysseus: The Sack of Troy Heracles: The Twelve Labours the relationship between human and deity: God- Man(神人合一) The deity possessed the apperance , emotion and characteristics of human being. That is called Anthropomorphism(神人同性) Just like Hegel said: The gods are the ideal of beauty

• Greek myths had a complete system of Olympus God. These gods were not high above the common people , not only did they look like people, but also had people's thoughts and feelings. They often came to the • The love between Cupid earth and fell in love Erose and the world girl with the young. Psyche.

Worship of male: * In ancient Greek, man is superior to woman. Because Greek is the product of the primitive Patriarchal society National Spirit: * Adventurism demorancy and equlity Individualism There is not a kind of absolute power to dominate human being.

Enjoying the present life, and pursuit the beauty in nature and life. • Enjoyment and indulgence • Aphrodite has perfect figure of ancient Greece and symbolizes the beauty and love for women, is considered the ultimate symbol of female physical beauty.

The personfication of god and ''individulism'' heros reflect the core of the Greek national spirit-----Individual standard.

Similairties 1. The exploration to the origin of the world and human. 2. On the explanation of the deification for natural phenomenon 3. On account of ancient primitive life

On the origin of heaven and earth • It is said that in the remote ancient times , the unvisal was totally chaos, and then a man called Pan Gu making epoch with an ax.

In the ancient Greek myths , the world was all chaos , then the God of chaos created the mother Gaia , and under the bottom of the earth, appearing the dark and night , which combined to produce the light and day. Finally, the Gaia created sky.

On the origin of human • Nv Wa imitated herself creating human with clay. and established the institution of marriage for humans that young men and women marry each other and reproduce.

• Prometheus imitated the God's appearence , using water and clay to create human.

On the explanation of the deification for natural phenomenon In the ancient times , though people could‘t explain the changes for natural phenomena scientifically, they still felt curious and fearful to the surrounding nature. Therefore, with the help of God's image, humans visualized and personified the forces of nature. ● The God of thunder ●The king Zeus

On account of ancient primitive life • Myths embody the desire and feat the ancients conquer the nature. • Myths describe the development of tribal origin, and legends of war heros.

• "Kuafu chased • "Jingwei filling the sun" the sea" reflects the extols �� the spirit of the spirits that original persevering and pioneers in unremitting. pursuit of light.

• Ancient Chinese myths reflect the human struggle to conquer the nature in the late age of barbarism. • The early heros and the leader of the clan who made a great contribution to the human society, and esteemed as the deified man. • Shen Nong tasted a hundred herbs • Dayu flood control

thank you for your attention!