Myths and Legends of China' is a collection of mythical stories of China by E. T. C. Werner, who was a noted British diplomat in Qing Dynasty China and sinologist specialising in superstition, myths and magic. This unique and important collection of stories was first published in the year 1915.

The Chinese pantheon set out in order - the gods of thunder, of the walls and ditches, of literature and the hearth - with the stories that go with them. Werner spent decades in the Chinese consular service and worked from Chinese sources rather than from other Europeans. This edition adds a gallery of 27 plates of Chinese painting and decorated porcelain, with works after Chen Hongshou and images of Laozi and Ci Fei, alongside 32 illustrations restored and coloured for this volume.

The Library of Alexandria is an independent small business publishing house. We specialize in bringing back to live rare, historical and ancient Books. This includes manuscripts such as: classical fiction, philosophy, science, Religion, folklore, mythology, history, literature, politics and sacred texts, in addition to Secret and esoteric subjects, such as: occult, freemasonry, alchemy, hermetic, shamanism and ancient knowledge. Our Books are available in digital format. We have approximat...

In the text, Werner elucidates various aspects of Chinese mythology, including creation myths, legendary heroes, mythical creatures, and religious beliefs. Drawing from a wide range of Chinese literary sources, historical texts, and oral traditions, the author presents a detailed and engaging portrayal of the mythological landscape of China."Myths and Legends of China" offers readers a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Chinese people, exploring the symbolism, rituals,...

The Library of Alexandria is an independent small business publishing house. We specialize in bringing back to live rare, historical and ancient Books. This includes manuscripts such as: classical fiction, philosophy, science, Religion, folklore, mythology, history, literature, politics and sacred texts, in addition to Secret and esoteric subjects, such as: occult, freemasonry, alchemy, hermetic, shamanism and ancient knowledge. Our Books are available in digital format. We have approximat...

Myths and legends of China presents a comprehensive study of traditional Chinese mythology drawn from a wide range of literary and historical sources. The work brings together major mythic narratives while also explaining the cultural and social context that shaped them, offering readers a clearer understanding of their role in Chinese identity. It emphasizes careful translation and interpretation of original texts, aiming to present these stories in an accessible form while preserving the...

From the preface:“ The chief literary sources of Chinese myths are the Li tai shên hsien t’ung chien, in thirty-two volumes, the Shên hsien lieh chuan, in eight volumes, the Fêng shên yen i, in eight volumes, and the Sou shên chi, in ten volumes. In writing the following pages I have translated or paraphrased largely from these works. I have also consulted and at times quoted from the excellent volumes on Chinese Superstitions by Père Henri Doré, comprised in the valuable series Va...

The West's first encounters with the folk tales and myths of the East proved to be a heady experience, as they were based on an entirely different value system and worldview than those that are reflected in the Greek myths and most subsequent Western folk tales. In Myths and Legends of China, author E.T.C. Werner offers up a rich tapestry of Chinese folk narratives. A must-read for fans of world myths, fairy tales, and legends.

From the author: My aim, after summarizing the sociology of the Chinese as a prerequisite to the understanding of their ideas and sentiments, and dealing as fully as possible, consistently with limitations of space (limitations which have necessitated the presentation of a very large and intricate topic in a highly compressed form), with the philosophy of the subject, has been to set forth in English dress those myths which may be regarded as the accredited representatives of Chinese mytho...

As a member of the Chinese government's Historiographical Bureau in Peking, as well as a former barrister and British consul in Foochow, E.T.C. Werner published "Myths and Legends of China" in 1922 to elucidate the ideas and beliefs that governed the daily lives of the Chinese people prior to the 20th century. These provocative and fantastical tales of Chinese history, myth and legend draw from many ancient texts and offer a glimpse into a world dominated by tradition and superstition. The...

Myths And Legends Of China by E. T. C. Werner.

As a member of the Chinese government's Historiographical Bureau in Peking, as well as a former barrister and British consul in Foochow, E.T.C. Werner published "Myths and Legends of China" to elucidate the ideas and beliefs that governed the daily lives of the Chinese people prior to the 20th century. These provocative and fantastical tales of Chinese history, myth and legend draw from many ancient texts and offer a glimpse into a world dominated by tradition and superstition. These stori...