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Chinese Mythology Part 3
Some myths survive in theatrical or literary formats, as plays or novels. Important mythological fiction which is seen as definitive records of these myths include:
LiSao
 Li Sao is a Chinese poem dating from the Warring States Period, written by Qu Yuan (340B.C.- 278B.C.) of the Kingdom of Chu. One of the most famous poems of Pre-Qin China, is a representative work of the Chu Ci (literally “Chu words”) form of poetry.
The poem has a total of 372 lines and about 2400 characters, which makes it one of the longest poems dating from Ancient China. While the precise date of composition is unknown, we do know that it is one of Qu Yuan’s later works, written after his exile by King Huai of Chu. As a representative work of Chu poetry, it makes use of a wide range of metaphors derived from the culture of Chu, including shamanistic elements such as divination and the presence of spirits, as well as references to ancient history and legendary figures. Because of these influences, the poem is seen as an initiator of a Romantic tradition of poetry in China.
The poem’s main themes include Qu Yuan’s falling victim to intrigues in the court of Chu, and subsequent exile; his desire to remain pure and untainted by the corruption that was prevalent in the court; and also his lamentation of the gradual decline of the once-powerful state of Chu. At the very end, he resigned stating his resolve to die.
Fengshen Yanyi
 Fengshen Yanyi , or Investiture of the Gods, is mythological fiction, dealing with the founding of the Zhou dynasty. This epic novel (Yanyi refers to the Chinese equivalent of the Western epic) is a fantastic retelling of the overthrow of the unscrupulous and merciless ruler Di Xin ( also known as Zhou) of the Shang dynasty, by King Wu of Zhou. The story integrates oral and written tales of the many Daoist heroes and immortals, and various spirits ( usually represented in avatar form as foxes, chickens, and sometimes even inanimate objects like Jade Pipa) that take part in the struggle. Enchanted by his concubine Daji, who is actually a fox spirit in disguise, Di Xin murders loyal ministers with draconian punishments like incineration on a red-hot pillar of brass, or being fed to a pit of snakes. He even attempts to kill his own sons. After the fall of the Shang Dynasty and exorcism of Daji by Jiang Ziya, King Wu of Zhou builds his own dynasty, creating the Zhou feudal system. The slain heroes, even those on the “enemy” side, are endowed with heavenly ranking, being essentially elevated to the position of gods.
Journey to the West
 Journey to the West was written by Wu Chen-en, and is considered to be one of the four great classic novels written during the Ming Dynasty (1500-1582). Wu Chen-en was an elder statesman who witnessed a lot in his life, both good and bad, yet ultimately came away with great faith in human nature to face the hardships and survive with good humor and compassion. This story has many layers of meaning and may be read on many different levels such as: a quest and an adventure, a fantasy, a personal search (on the Monkey’s part) for self-cultivation, or a political / social satire. The story is a pseudo-historical account of a monk ( Xuanzang), who went to India in the 7th century to seek Buddhist scriptures to bring back to China. The principle story consists of eighty-one calamities suffered by (Monkey) and his guardians (Tripitaka and Sandy, who are monks, and Pigsy, a pig).
Monkey King (or Sunwukong) was born from a stone. He wanted to be like the immortals and be free from death. He was extremely smart and capable, and learned all the magic tricks from a master Taoist. He could transform himself into seventy-two different images such as a tree, a bird, a beast of prey, or a bug as small as a mosquito, so as to sneak into an enemy’s belly to fight him or her from the inside out. Using clouds as a vehicle, he could travel 180,000 miles in a single somersault.
He claimed to be king in defiance of the Great Emperor of Jade---the only authority over heaven, the seas, the earth, and the subterranean world. That act of high treason invited the relentless scourge of the Heavenly army. After many showdowns, the dove faction of the heavenly court persuaded the emperor to offer the monkey an official title to appease him. The monkey accepted this offer on a trial basis. However, he learned a few days later that he had been cheated and jeered all over the court: the position he held was nothing but a stable keeper. Enraged, he revolted, fighting his way back to earth to assume his own claim as king.
Eventually, the heavenly army subdued him, only after many a battle, with the help of all the god warriors. However, all methods of execution failed. One attempt to kill him actually gave him a pair of fiery-golden-crystal eyes that can see through what people normally can’t.
 At last, the emperor asked Buddha for help. The Buddha moved a great mountain known as the Mount of Five Fingers, to fall upon him. Still, the tenacious monkey survived the enormous weight and pressure, but could not move! Five hundred years later, the monk Tripitaka came to his rescue. To insure that Tripitaka could make the journey to the West to get the Buddhist scriptures, Buddha had arranged for the Monkey King to become his disciple and escort him, along with two other disciples they later came across. There, the four started their stormy journey west, which was packed with action and adventures.
Monkey, the monk, Pigsy, and Sandy worked their way to the Western Paradise and the Buddhist sutras. Tall mountains, deep rushing rivers, and evil demons lay ahead. But m onkey was brave and smart, and he even learned how to behave. They knew this was an important mission. As many years pass, they learned to face challenges by working together. When a task was too hard, the goddess Guan Yin helped out. After traveling for 14 years and 108,000 miles, Monkey and his friends reached the Western Paradise. Buddha gives them the sacred sutras to take back to China. Buddha knew that the travelers suffered on the journey, but they also learned something new about themselves. Plus, they each earned merit for doing good deeds. Buddha rewards them for their loyalty and hard work ---with immortal life and happiness.
Baishe Zhuan
Baishe Zhuan (Legend of the White Snake) is a Chinese legend, which existed as oral traditions, before any written compilation.
The story tells of a young scholar, Xu Xian, who falls in love with a beautiful woman Bai Suzhen, unaware that she is a white snake which has taken on human form. A Taoist monk, Fa Hai, intervenes in order to save the scholar’s soul and casts the white snake into a deep well at the Leifeng Pagoda.
The Story is set in the Southern Song Dynasty. Over the centuries the story has evolved from horror story to romance, with the scholar and the white snake-woman genuinely in love with one another. An added character, is a green snake Xiao Qing, who has also been turned into a woman and serves as the white snake-woman’s companion and confidante. Bai and Xu got married, opened a medicine shop and lived happily at the West Lake in Hangzhou. When the town was struck by a plague and was soon on the verge of destruction, Bai and Qing obtained the magical herb needed to help the population. But a sorcerer, called Fa Hai, believed it was the disaster that demons brought about, and tried to eliminate Bai and Qing. On the fifth day of the fifth month, the Dragon Boat Festival is held. It is said to be the day the demons revert to their true selves. Xu Xian falls for Fa Hai’s tricks and fuddles his wife with Realgar wine. Drunken Bai showed her true self, scaring Xian literally to death! Bai retrieved the herbal medicine and brought Xian back to life. Later, Bai gets pregnant, but Xu Xian falls for Fa Hai’s tricks yet again and goes to the Golden Mount Temple. Having battled with Fa Hai, Bai and Qing meet Xu at the Broken Bridge of the West  Lake, and Bai tells her husband the truth about her origin and her difficulties after giving birth to a son. Xian is touched and kindly accepts her. The lovers are united, but then Fahai attacks the weakened Bai and holds her in eternal captivity in the Lei Feng Pagoda.
The plot of White Snake is full of magic: snakes turning themselves into women, monsters, battles among heavenly creatures and demons, and so on.
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