Nestled at the border of Zuoying and Nanzih Districts in Kaohsiung City, there stands a unique mountain known as Half Screen Mountain. Its distinctive feature, resembling a flat surface as if sliced by a knife, earned it the name "Half Screen". The origin of Half Screen Mountain is closely tied to the legendary Han Zhongli, one of the Eight Immortals. Explore the intriguing Taiwanese folk tale that unfolds around Half Screen Mountain.
Ghost Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month and is also known as the Zhongyuan Festival, Almsgiving to the Wandering Ghosts, Ghost Day, Earth God's Birthday, and Amnesty Day. It is a traditional folk festival filled with a sense of gratitude. On this day, people honor their ancestors, perform rituals for wandering spirits, and seek blessings for peace and happiness. This reflects the deep respect and filial piety towards ancestors, as well as a profound appreciation for life.
This story is based on a reinterpretation of "Huainanzi - External Eight Discourses." Hou Yi and Chang'e were removed from their celestial status by the Heavenly Emperor and demoted to mortals. They sought the elixir of immortality from the Queen Mother of the West. However, due to the interference of Feng Meng, they were unable to consume the elixir simultaneously. As a result, Chang'e was stranded in the Guanghan Palace, while Hou Yi could only long for his wife in the mortal realm.
This fable is adapted from "Mencius: Gong Sun Chou I". "Pulling up seedlings to help them grow" refers to the act of pulling up the seedlings to assist their growth, which ultimately causes them to wither and die. It metaphorically warns against using improper methods to seek quick results, as it may lead to harm instead of benefit.
This fable is adapted from "Zhuangzi - Perfect Enjoyment" written over two thousand years ago in China. The Duke of Lu believed that he could raise a bird by imposing his own lifestyle on it rather than using proper bird-raising methods. However, this approach not only failed to benefit the seabird's growth but also subjected it to torment, leading to its demise. This story illustrates the importance of following the natural order of things and refraining from acting recklessly.
There are numerous accounts in ancient Chinese literature about the story of Hou Yi shooting the sun. This article is based on the reimagining of "Classic of Mountains and Seas - The Main Land Within the Seas" and "Huainanzi - The Basic Warp." It narrates how the ten sons of the Heavenly Emperor wreaked havoc on Earth, causing people to live in scorching heat. Only after the divine archer Hou Yi shot down nine of the suns was the peaceful and harmonious life of the past restored.
The ancient Chinese book "Classic of Mountains and Seas" contains records of Nüwa, and the "Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era" cites the myth of Nüwa creating humans from "Fengsu Tongyi." According to the myth, Nüwa used vines dipped in soil to create numerous men and women. She also taught them about marriage, having children, and forming families, ensuring the eternal continuation of human life.