Pangu Myth
01 · Historical Records
The Pan Gu myth cluster of Tongbai and Biyang counties in Henan mainly includes creation myths, myths of human origin and myths of punishing evil and rewarding good and of benefiting descendants; its content touches the splitting of heaven and earth, the destruction of the world, the rolling of the millstones into marriage, the multiplication of mankind and the transformation of the body into all things, reflecting the primitive forebears' worship of nature and embodying their primitive cosmology. The Pan Gu myth cluster is a fairly representative creation myth cluster of the Central Plains and is still widely current among the people. Rooted in the folk activities of Tongbai and Biyang and linked with the local hills and waters, natural climate, village buildings and customs, it has formed a distinctive cultural space of Pan Gu culture, and is known to every household there as one of the most representative folk cultural heritages of the locality. Handed down in southern Henan from generation to generation, the Pan Gu myth is still sustained by such folk activities as the Pan Gu temple fair and has a distinctive living character.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
The Pan Gu myth has taken root in the folk activities of Tongbai and Biyang and has clear local features. In its long transmission it has been corroborated by such local relics as Pan Gu mountain, the Pan Gu temple and the Pan Gu tomb, and among the people there is also a Pan Gu temple fair and the custom of sacrificing to Pan Gu, forming a fairly complete system of transmission. Oral transmission is its main mode, its tellers mostly village elders, interwoven with the seasons and the customs of marriage and burial.
Pan Gu Splits Heaven and Earth
The core creation content of the Pan Gu myth cluster.
His Body Transforms into All Things
The content of the Pan Gu myth in which Pan Gu's body transforms into all things.
The Pan Gu Temple Fair
The temple-fair activity in which the local people sacrifice to Pan Gu and transmit the Pan Gu myth.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
In the long course of transmission the Pan Gu myth has been linked with the local hills and waters, natural climate, village buildings and customs, its coverage wide and its completeness and distinctiveness fully shown. Tongbai and Biyang lie in southern Henan, and such relics as Pan Gu mountain and the Pan Gu temple and the myth support each other, the local people transmitting the Pan Gu myth in many forms such as telling, sacrifice and temple fair.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Pangu Myth.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
The Pan Gu myth of Tongbai and Biyang has a deep popular and social foundation, holding the Central Plains Han forebears' exploration of and imagination about nature, and has a certain historical, cultural and scientific research value. It is important material for studying the creation myths and folk belief of the Central Plains, and its protection is of great significance. Mainly transmitted orally among the people, its chain of transmission is fairly fragile and it urgently needs protection.
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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