The beginning of writing these stories began in the Wei and Jin Dynasties. These stories began when various writers were influenced by the ideas of the Taoist and Buddhist superstitions and creation myths. These writers became interested in inventing stories about gods, when reading these stories it is clear that the writers had fantastic imaginations and a mastery of the written language. This practice of inventing and writing stories continued into the next period of the Southern and Northern Dynasties.

Chinese mythology is a collection of history, folktales and cultures that have been passed down by generations in oral or written form. Within the chinese society, there are many stories about creation, and depending on your culture and surroundings within this society effects your beliefs and the stories that are told. Back in the beginning china was not a single country, but a scattering of different groups (communities/tribes) across Asia. Because of this there are many different stories of how the world came to be so this is why depending on where you are from effects what story they believed. Some people believe these stories are factual recordings of the chinese history. Historians have found that chinese mythology began in 12th century B.C. These myths have been passed down over thousands of years, before ever being written down.

Features of Chinese Mythology:

• Mythical stories are historical: Most of the myths in the chinese culure are believed to deprive from the history of the country. The long period before history was recorded is believed to be entwined with the creation stories. Ancient heroes/gods such as Fuxi, Shennong, are believed to be real historical figures.
• They are all about praising creation
• They believe in self sacrifice and perserverance
• They believe in rebellion - they will not be controlled: One such stroy is about taking revenge on the King of Chu for killing his father. He kills himself so his friend can take his head to the king and kill him.
• They speak of the importance of finding true love: Many of the chinese mythical stories tell about how men and goddesses, fairies, ghost women love eachother passionatley even though it is wrong for them to be together as it is against their religions. These stories reflect the yearning for true love.
• The encourage good and warn against sin: This is a common theme, good will be rewarded and bad will be punished.

These are all important themse of chinese myths and creation stories as they are all human emotions and feelings, you could even relate most of these themes to life as it is today. Gods, ghosts, foxes and spirits are commonly described as living things with human attributes and feelings.

The Jade Emperor is believed to be the most important god also known as Yu Huang Shang-ti.. He is considered to be the firts god and is in charge of all the gods and goddesses. Many myths include other well known gods and goddesses that were in charge of different areas of the chinese culture but it was believed that they all had to answer to the Jade Emperor.

The chinese dragon is one of the most important mythical creatures in chinese culture. It is considered to be the most powerful and is believed to be the controller of all the waters. It symbolizes great power and was very supported to heroes and gods. The most famous dragon in chinese mythology is Ying Long or the responding dragon. This dragon is said to be the controller of the rain. Many people in the chinese culture pray to this dragon/god to bring them rain. In the chinese culture dragons are believed to be able to form clouds witht their breath.

P'an Ku:

The chinese people believe that the world began with the splitting in two of a cosmic egg.Out of the egg hatched the giant P'an Ku.Half the shell is above him as the sky and the other half below him as the earth. He grows taller each day for 18,000 years gradually pushing the egg shells until they reach their places. After all this effort P'an Ku falls to pieces. His limbs become the mounatins, his blood is the rivers, his breath is the wind and his voice is thunder. His two eyes are the sun and the moon and the parasites on his body are mankind.