Chinese Myths

神话故事

Discover 30 timeless chinese myths that have shaped Chinese culture. Each story comes with pinyin annotations to help you learn Mandarin.

盘古开天
Pán Gǔ Kāi Tiān

The creation myth of Pangu who separated heaven and earth from chaos.

女娲补天
Nǚ Wā Bǔ Tiān

Nuwa repairs the sky with five-colored stones after a great flood.

女娲造人
Nǚ Wā Zào Rén

Nuwa creates humans from clay, giving life to the world.

伏羲画卦
Fú Xī Huà Guà

Fuxi creates the eight trigrams to understand the universe.

神农尝百草
Shén Nóng Cháng Bǎi Cǎo

Shennong tastes hundreds of herbs to discover medicinal plants.

燧人取火
Suì Rén Qǔ Huǒ

Suiren invents fire by drilling wood, bringing warmth to humanity.

黄帝战蚩尤
Huáng Dì Zhàn Chī Yóu

Emperor Huang defeats the evil Chiyou in an epic battle.

嫦娥奔月
Cháng'é Bēn Yuè

Chang'e flies to the moon after taking the elixir of immortality.

后羿射日
Hòu Yì Shè Rì

Houyi shoots down nine suns to save the world from scorching heat.

吴刚伐桂
Wú Gāng Fá Guì

Wu Gang eternally cuts the cassia tree on the moon as punishment.

玉兔捣药
Yù Tù Dǎo Yào

Jade rabbit pounds medicine under the moon tree for immortality.

夸父逐日
Kuā Fù Zhú Rì

Kuafu chases the sun across the land, ultimately transforming into a mountain.

精卫填海
Jīng Wèi Tián Hǎi

Jingwei bird carries stones to fill the sea, avenging her death.

大禹治水
Dà Yǔ Zhì Shuǐ

Yu the Great tames the floods through years of dedication.

鲤鱼跃龙门
Lǐ Yú Yuè Lóng Mén

Carp leaps over the Dragon Gate and transforms into a dragon.

八仙过海
Bā Xiān Guò Hǎi

Eight immortals cross the sea using their magical powers.

哪吒闹海
Nézhā Nào Hǎi

Nezha causes chaos in the sea and defeats the dragon king.

杨戬劈山救母
Yáng Jiǎn Pī Shān Jiù Mǔ

Yang Jian splits the mountain to rescue his mother.

沉香救母
Chén Xiāng Jiù Mǔ

Chenxiang saves his mother from under Mount Hua.

孙悟空大闹天宫
Sūn Wù Kōng Dà Nào Tiān Gōng

Monkey King wreaks havoc in the Heavenly Palace.

盘古化生万物
Pán Gǔ Huà Shēng Wàn Wù

Pangu's body transforms into all things in the universe after his death.

共工触天
Gòng Gōng Chù Tiān

Gonggong crashes into Mount Buzhou, tilting the sky and earth.

刑天舞干戚
Xíng Tiān Wǔ Gān Qī

Xingtian continues fighting even after losing his head.

仓颉造字
Cāng Jié Zào Zì

Cangjie invents Chinese characters inspired by bird tracks.

燧人取火
Suì Rén Qǔ Huǒ

Suiren discovers fire through friction, enlightening humanity.

西王母
Xī Wáng Mǔ

Queen Mother of the West and her peach garden of immortality.

蟠桃盛会
Pán Táo Shèng Huì

The grand peach banquet held by the Queen Mother of the West.

玉皇大帝
Yù Huáng Dà Dì

The Jade Emperor rules over the heavenly realm.

龙王降雨
Lóng Wáng Jiàng Yǔ

Dragon kings control rainfall and weather patterns.

钟馗捉鬼
Zhōng Kuí Zhuō Guǐ

Zhongkui captures evil ghosts and demons.

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