Handbook of Chinese Mythology

ABC-CLIO’s Handbooks of World Mythology

by Lihui Yang, Deming An, Jessica Anderson Turner (Contributor)

Every year, at the Wa Huang Gong temple in Hebei Province, China, people gather to worship the great mother, Nuwa, the oldest deity in Chinese myth, praising her for bringing them a happy life. It is a vivid demonstration of both the ancient reach and the continuing relevance of mythology in the lives of the Chinese people.
Compiled from ancient and scattered texts and based on groundbreaking new research, Handbook of Chinese Mythology is the most comprehensive English-language work on the subject ever written from an exclusively Chinese perspective. This work focuses on the Han Chinese people but ranges across the full spectrum of ancient and modern China, showing how key myths endured and evolved over time. A quick reference section covers all major deities, spirits, and demigods, as well as important places (Kunlun Mountain), mythical animals and plants (the crow with three feet; Fusang tree), and related items (Xirang-a kind of mythical soil; Bu Si Yao-mythical medicine for long life). No other work captures so well what Chinese mythology means to the people who lived and continue to live their lives by it.
With more than 40 illustrations and photographs, fresh translations of primary sources, and insight based on the authors' own field research, Handbook of Chinese Mythology offers an illuminating account of a fascinating corner of the world of myth.

Genres: Mythology, China, Nonfiction, Asia, History, Folklore, Reference

312 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2005

Reviews

[Hal Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book does some things right -- it treats Chinese mythology as a series of interconnected traditions, as opposed to a monolith, and it keeps stressing that myth has both a living tradition as well as a historical/textual component -- but it is so very, very repetitive. This is in part a feature of the book’s presentation, with an alphabetical “dictionary” of mythical characters and concepts following the introductory material, but the repetition is extreme even for this format. For example, the flood myths are treated AT LENGTH in the introduction, in the second (“timeline”) chapter, and in several alphabetical listings before you even get to the entry for “flood.” There the same material is again, and, indeed, it will continue to be repeated throughout the alphabet, with minimal cross-referencing to make everything more concise. If the idea is to make each entry self-contained, why tell the same stories in the first two chapters?

And it’s not just the flood. How many times must we read about the invention of musical instruments? Sibling marriages? There just aren’t that many myths in this book! Either Chinese mythology is a narrower subject than I had anticipated, or this book is an elaborate bluff, an attempt to pad out a few sources and myths into a 300-page book. If this book had been one third as long I think it would have worked much better.

Also: I’m not expecting academic rigor from a popular text, but there is far too much of the “many scholars believe” school of Wikipedia-unfriendly pseudo-sourcing. This is especially frustrating because at other times the references are concrete and unambiguous.

The end result is so inconsistent that even as an introductory text this book is unsatisfying.

[Beth Cato · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for the sake of research. Despite a love of mythology, I admit that I'm fairly ignorant about Chinese folktales. One reason this book stood out to me is because it made an effort to go beyond Han mythology and represent some of China's 56 other ethnic groups. Many of the listings include various versions of the same tale or figure, as told by different ethnicities over different periods of time. Some of the source material hadn't been translated from Chinese previously. They also do an excellent job with citations, so I know exactly where to go for more information on subjects of interest like Shennong or Jingwei.

The book overall was fascinating, but trying to read it straight through was something of a chore. It is very repetitious as places, incidents, and figures are cross-referenced. It took me almost a month to read this book, which is very unusual for me. I found it to be a good resource--one I have littered with sticky tabs--but it's most definitely not a casual read.

[Jessica Ohara · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a first impression, I thought it was a mistake my attempt to read this book, with so many in my to-read list, I can't waste my time. The stories appeared as repetitive, always come back with the same terms and names. But thh epiphany finnally came, and I found out the real problem: I didn't really know the concept of a handbook, it's for reference not for to read in one sitting
After I learned this fact, the structure of the book became apprehensible and I could appreciate the fact and the kind of writing chosen. Despite my discovery, I read the entire book because I wanted to get a familiarity with the gods and goddesses's names, but I know now that I can use it for whatever doubt that arises during my studies about mithology.

[daemyra, the realm's delight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emphasis on the handbook - this will be a great reference book for your mythology library. Great bibliography. More thoughts to come!

[Michelle Funk]

Yang, L., An, D. & Turner, J.A. (2005). Handbook of Chinese mythology. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO LLC.

Citation By: Michelle Funk

Type of Reference: Handbook

Call Number: 299.51113 YAN

Content Scope: With a focus on the Han Chinese people, this handbook offers information on Chinese deities, mythological places, plants, animals, and spirits.

Accuracy, Authority, and Bias: Publisher ABC-CLIO focuses on curriculum and print references, and is considered a leading and respected company for education resources.

Arrangement and Presentation: Included in this handbook is a dictionary section that details Chinese mythological elements and deities. It also provides an overview of Chinese mythology, and an appendix of print, video, and web resources for further reading. A few illustrations and pictures can be found throughout the handbook.

Relation to Similar Works: This is a unique work that attempts to compile the vast and previously scarcely undocumented world of Chinese Mythology.

Timeliness and Permanence: The recent mythology-fueled boom in popular culture has spurred growing interest in Chinese culture and mythology. This handbook serves as a needed guide and information resource to understanding the complex and unfamiliar legends that surround Chinese culture.

Accessibility/Diversity: Adding this resource to a school or public library will add much-needed diversity to mythology collections that primarily focus on western culture.

Cost: $75

Professional Review: Farmer, L. (2006, January 1). Handbook of chinese mythology. Booklist Online. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com.libsrv....

[She Writes · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Yang's Handbook of Chinese Mythology is a useful source for teaching Chinese mythology, it's a bit laborious to wade through. Admittedly, it is set up similarly to many handbooks on mythology. I would use Yang's Chinese Mythology again for teaching (developing lectures and enhancing my personal study) university level students, but I would not require students to purchase the book. If I were to require a book for students, I prefer Anne Birrell's Chinese Mythology.

[Gabriel Lopez-Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great time reading the various myths and the diversity of culture that I never knew about China as a whole. It also has a study of the evolution over various periods of rulers and philosophies and the impact it had on suppression and revitalization of the creation stories of different regions. Fascinating.

[Ingrid Winata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing reference book for all the deities and locations...hard to navigate just on its own, but in conjunction with a book that details the major myths in order you realise how extensive this book is

[Michael Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an encyclopedia than a book of stories.

Not bad but not an exciting read. Some good poetry sprinkled among the text though.

[Sheba.ramseyharlan.kyschools.us]

Handbook of Chinese mythology (2005). Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO.

Citation by: Sheba Ramsey

Type of Reference: Handbook

Call Number: BL 1825.Y 355

Content/Scope: This reference tries to bridge the gap between Chinese myths written in Chinese language and the English language. This has been a serious problem in the past because some Chinese myths were written only in artifacts such as shells or bones, and some were only told orally. The main source for each myth is discussed and commonalities are presented.

Accuracy/Authority/Bias: ABC-CLIO is a publisher of reference works used in social studies and academic settings. The company’s reference books have won many awards The Company’s mission is to provide material that is high quality and facilitates learning.

Arrangement/Presentation: The introduction is rather large and provides and in-depth look at Chinese mythology. Most entries are at least two pages describing figures to concepts. It uses black and white illustrations and photographs to enhance understanding. There is an appendix that includes a list of other prints, video and web links for further study.

Relation to other works: This work goes beyond other sources because it attempts to cross the language barrier that other do not. It is written in English language.
Accessibility/Diversity: This book would be a teacher resource due to being so complex. It could be used in units of study for young children with the teacher presenting material. It makes a good resource for a library that services multi-cultural students.

Cost: $ 75.00

Professional Review: Lothrop, P. D. (2006). Handbook of Chinese Mythology. School Library Journal, 52(2), p89.