Chinese Creation Myth - Nüwa Creates Humans

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.

Original article: 女媧造人

After Pangu separated heaven and earth, the world was formed. In the sky, there was a beautiful goddess named Nüwa, who had a human upper body and a snake lower body. She often wandered in this beautiful world.

One day, as she was walking, Nüwa suddenly felt a bit lonely. She thought to herself, "This world has not only blue skies, white clouds, green mountains, and clear waters, but also flowers, grass, and trees. It's truly enchanting! But why do I feel like something is missing?"

Chinese Creation Myth - Nüwa Creates Humans

Nüwa pondered for a long time and finally realized that the world lacked living creatures that could move. So she decided to add some moving creatures to this world.

"What kind of creatures should I add?" Nüwa wondered as she walked, feeling troubled. Unknowingly, she arrived at the lakeside. She glanced into the lake and saw her reflection.

"I know! I'll create some small creatures that look like me!" Nüwa thought happily. She picked up some mud from the ground and molded a clay figurine that resembled herself. When the clay figurine saw Nüwa and heard her voice, it exclaimed, "Mother, Mother!" This brought immense joy to Nüwa. However, when this little being tried to walk, it didn't have the divine power like Nüwa did, and it stumbled due to its snake lower body. So Nüwa helped the little clay figurine by molding a pair of legs for it, enabling it to move freely. She said, "I'll call you 'human'!"

Chinese Creation Myth - Nüwa Creates Humans

Then, Nüwa continued to mold clay figurines, one after another, and many little clay figurines surrounded her, calling her "Mother." However, the world was so vast, and the number of clay figurines was never enough. Even though Nüwa tried her best, she could only mold one clay figurine at a time, and her speed was too slow. At this moment, she noticed the vines on the tree. With a clever idea, she pulled down a vine, dipped it into the mud pit, and then swung it forcefully. One clay figurine after another appeared. Seeing so many "people" in the world, it became lively, and Nüwa was overjoyed.

Later, Nüwa thought of another question, "Humans are different from gods. They will eventually die one day. Won't the population decrease? I can't keep making clay figurines forever! They must reproduce on their own." So Nüwa transformed some of the clay figurines into boys and some into girls. She taught them about marriage, having children, and forming families, ensuring that the human life would continue indefinitely.

Children, how was this world formed? And how did humans come to be? These are questions that many people in the world want to know. Our ancestors often created myths to explain various phenomena they didn't understand. The stories of Pangu separating heaven and earth and Nüwa creating humans are the best examples. When we read these stories, we not only admire the rich imagination of our ancestors but also hold a grateful heart, thanking the world for all the beautiful existences it offers.

Written by Linlin
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