Illustrated Myths & Legends of China: The Ages of Chaos and Heroes [Paperback]

Illustrated Myths & Legends of Chinais a profusely illustrated collection of 32 carefully chosen tales of Chinese myth and legend.

With more than 100 illustrations drawn over two thousand years of all aspects of Chinese art—including painting, pottery and porcelain, jade, bronzes and tomb decoration—Illustrated Myths & Legends of Chinais a vividly written collection of tales of the universe's emergence from chaos, the creation of the world in which the first Chinese people appeared and a depiction of how the many strands of myth and legend have influenced Chinese culture.

An impressive array of heroic figures and rich storytelling are at the center of these tales including:

• Panguopening heaven to save the earth from chaos.
• Nuwacreating man and repairing the vault of heaven.
• Fuxifixing the calendar by observing the heavens.
• Shennongcreating agriculture.
• Cangjieinventing writing thus creating the basis for Chinese culture.

Fragments of these myths and legends are found in Chinese paintings, wood artifacts, relief carvings, and lacquer art which are illustrated in this book along with informative text. Anyone interested in Chinese culture, mythology, history or art will find this collection a must-have volume for their bookshelf.Zhang Dinghao, born in 1976, is a deputy editor ofShanghai Culture. His publications include the collectionNow I've Seen my Love Again: Poetry and People in the Past.

Huang Dehaiis a deputy editor of theSinan Literary Journaland is author of the collectionReading Now is Too Lateand other works. He was born in 1977.

Xiang Jingwas born in 1981 and is also a deputy editor of theSinan Literary Journal. Her works include the collectionExpression in Our Time.