In almost every ancient society, the creation myth is used to describe how the earth and man were created. Creation myths not only contain an explanati

The egg symbolizes a mother’s womb out of which life comes. The egg is “a symbol of the totality from which all creation comes” (Encyclopedia Britannica Online). This holds true in its use in the story of P’an Ku since from the egg came the creation of everything. The use of the egg in creation myths gives a visual idea of creation. The egg is sometimes referred to as cosmic, and from it comes not only new life, but also the beginning of life and the possibility of “a perfect creation” (Encyclopedia Britannica Online). In the case of the myth of P’an Ku, the chaos represents the emptiness of the universe. In the Chinese creation myths, the connection between the myth and culture through the family structure is clear.

In addition, the yin and yang supports the structure of the Chinese family. We are introduced to the idea of the roles yin and yang play early in the myth of P’an Ku. When P’an Ku escapes from the egg, one part sinks and the other part rises. Yin, the half that sinks, in Chinese culture, is thought of as female and submissive in nature. Therefore, the females in Chinese culture also should be submissive in nature. Yang, the half that rises, in Chinese culture, is thought of as male and the aggressive principal in nature; so, the men of their society also should be aggressive and thereby dominant in the family. These two ideas form the basic family structure in Chinese culture. Males remain the dominant and controlling one in the family, while the female must obey the males and basically be subservient. The limit of the power of the males in the family seems almost nonexistent. In some cases the sons will have more power than the mother does. The creation myth of P’an Ku demonstrates for us the distinctive and complex structure of the Chinese family. The Chinese creation myth about P’an Ku has dozens of variations. The idea behind it helped to define Chinese culture and also the structure of the Chinese family.

Most Chinese have a sentimental attachment to the moon, the sun and the stars. Numerous star gods existed from ancient times. One famous star myth is about Yi, an archer with celestial powers. According to this myth, ten suns encircled the earth and lived in a giant tree called Fu Sang. The god Di Jun and the goddess Xi He managed the ten suns so that they would appear one at a time. However, the ten suns decided to escape from this rule imposed to them. One day, without warning, the ten suns appeared in the sky all at once. The people on earth were delighted, but as time passed, the light and the heat strarted affecting their crops. The skilled archer shot all the suns until only one was left. This myth explains how the Chinese glorify the sun. Di Jun had no intention to harm the suns, but he had no other option. One sun was left to take care of the climate, people and agriculture.

Some topics in this essay:
P’an Ku, Eight Immortals, Di Jun, Shi-Tien Yen-Wang, Eve Indian, Taoist Immortals, P’an Ku’s, Yin Yang, Cames II, Pa Hsien, p’an ku, chinese culture, eight immortals, creation myths, yin yang, ten suns, creation myth, structure chinese, myth p’an ku, myth p’an, lu tung pin, tung pin, structure chinese family, earth p’an ku, ten feet day,