Pangu

Pangu Creation Story

The first writer to record the myth of Pangu was thought to be Xu Zheng during the Three Kingdoms period.

This discovery suggests that the tale of Pangu had been circulating orally or through other undocumented writings long before it was formally recorded by Xu Zheng.

It was within this state that Pangu, a colossal and powerful being, emerged (or woke up).

Pangu inside the cosmic egg symbolizes Taiji, the Great Ultimate, which encompasses both yin and yang.

Pangu is usually depicted as a primitive, hairy giant with horns on his head, embodying the raw and untamed forces of nature.

With a mighty swing of his giant axe, Pangu began creating the world by separating yin from yang.

To maintain this separation, Pangu stood between the earth and sky, pushing the sky upwards.

With each passing day, the sky grew ten feet (3 meters) higher, the earth ten feet thicker, and Pangu ten feet taller.

In some versions of the story, Pangu was not alone in his endeavor.

These mythical creatures symbolized different aspects of the natural world and cosmic order, providing support and guidance to Pangu.

In other versions, Pangu alone separated heaven and earth, which were already imbued with the properties of yin and yang, using his immense strength and his axe.

After the 18,000 years had elapsed, Pangu had completed his task.

Pangu's left eye transformed into the Sun, providing light and warmth, while his right eye became the Moon, illuminating the night.

Pangu's facial hair became the stars and the Milky Way, adorning the night sky with their brilliance.

In other versions of the story, Pangu's body turned into the mountains, forming the backbone of the earth.

Each version, however, emphasizes the profound connection between Pangu and the natural world, illustrating how his sacrifice gave birth to the myriad elements that sustain life on earth.

The myth of Pangu serves as a powerful metaphor for the creation of the world and the intricate balance of forces within the universe.

Creation Stories

Pangu and the Creation of the World (Chinese Mythology)Pangu emerges from a cosmic egg and separates yin from yang to create the earth and the sky.