Realms of Chinese Myth
Chinese mythology describes a cosmos of heavenly courts, earthly kingdoms, and underworld bureaucracies, all maintaining cosmic harmony.
Heavenly Court
Where the Jade Emperor rules the celestial bureaucracy of gods and immortals
Di Yu
The underworld with its courts, judges, and punishments for the wicked
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Featured Creatures
The auspicious beasts and divine creatures of Chinese mythology—beings of cosmic significance and profound symbolism.
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Long (Dragon)
The supreme symbol of imperial power and good fortune. Unlike Western dragons, Chinese dragons are benevolent bringers of rain and prosperity.
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Fenghuang (Phoenix)
The immortal bird representing virtue, grace, and the empress. Its appearance signals the rise of a great ruler.
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Qilin
The gentle chimera that appears only in times of peace and prosperity, never harming any living creature.
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Xuanwu
The Black Tortoise of the North, one of the Four Symbols, guardian of winter and water.
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Sun Wukong
The legendary Monkey King, born from stone with powers rivaling gods, hero of Journey to the West.
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Pixiu
The winged lion that devours wealth and never releases it, a powerful symbol of prosperity.
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Nian
The beast that terrorized villages until defeated by red decorations, loud noises, and fire—origin of Chinese New Year traditions.
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Baihu
The White Tiger of the West, one of the Four Symbols, representing autumn, metal, and righteousness.
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Five Thousand Years of Legend
Chinese mythology spans five millennia of continuous civilization, blending indigenous beliefs with Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The result is one of the world's richest mythological traditions, where celestial bureaucracies mirror earthly government and natural phenomena are explained through divine intervention.
The Four Symbols—Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise—guard the cardinal directions and influence Chinese astrology, feng shui, and martial arts to this day. The dragon remains China's national symbol, representing power, strength, and good fortune.
Chinese mythology continues to evolve. The novel Journey to the West (16th century) introduced the beloved Monkey King, while modern media constantly reinterprets classical creatures. From kung fu films to video games, Chinese mythological creatures captivate audiences worldwide.
Explore Chinese Mythology
Discover the complete bestiary of Chinese creatures—from the Four Symbols to the Eight Immortals.
