Yaode Legend
01 · Historical Records
Heze in Shandong was anciently called Caozhou, and Mudan district lies at the centre of the city; it was one of the main areas of activity of the prehistoric emperors Yao and Shun. The Book of Songs records that in former times Yao once travelled to Chengyang and, dying, was buried there. In Heze, said to be the place Yao toured and where he was buried after death, myths and legends about him still circulate among the people. Yao harmonised the many states and in his later years abolished the hereditary succession of chiefs, abdicating in favour of Shun. Shun was a famous filial son; after succeeding to the throne he did not fail the trust, advocated education and won the confidence of the people, and later died in the wilds of Cangwu while going south to control the waters. Heze was anciently called Caozhou and is one of the main areas of the activity of the prehistoric emperors Yao and Shun, and legends of Yao and Shun's abdication, search for worthies and education have circulated among the people from generation to generation.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
Mudan district of Heze in Shandong was one of the main areas of activity of the prehistoric emperors Yao and Shun. The Book of Songs records that in former times Yao once travelled to Chengyang and, dying, was buried there, and Shun ploughed on Mount Li and fished in Leize. In Heze, said to be the place Yao toured and where he was buried after death, myths and legends about him still circulate among the people. Yao harmonised the many states and in his later years abolished the hereditary succession of chiefs, abdicating in favour of Shun. Shun was a famous filial son; after succeeding to the throne he did not fail the trust, advocated education and won the confidence of the people, and later died in the wilds of Cangwu while going south to control the waters. The story of Yao harmonising the many states and abdicating in favour of Shun and the legends of Shun ploughing on Mount Li and fishing in Leize together form a fairly systematic cluster of Yao and Shun legends around Heze, reflecting the social conditions of the age of the ancient tribal confederation.
King Yao Seeks Out Shun
A representative legend of governing by virtue and respecting worthies.
Yao Sets Up the Pillar of Criticism
A representative legend of relieving the people's worries and caring for their livelihood.
King Yao Observes the Heavens at Night
A representative legend of devising the first calendar.
Fetching Aunt on the Sixth of the Sixth Month
A Yao and Shun custom and children's-song legend.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
The Yao legends of Heze take Mudan district as their centre and are linked with such ancient place names as Chengyang and Leize and the historical events of the activities of Yao and Shun. Rich in content, the legends form several series—governing by virtue, respecting worthies and humbling oneself before them, caring for the people's livelihood, devising the first calendar and stories of the common touch and domestic feeling—with distinctive local colour.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Yaode Legend.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
These myths and legends are at once the modern continuation of classical myth and, in their transmission through the generations, enriched with new local elements, and have reference value for studying ancient history, folk belief and folk literature. The Yao and Shun legends of Heze are closely bound up with such local ancient sites as Chengyang and Leize and with folk activities, and are an important part of the folk literature of south-western Shandong.
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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