Goddesses, Spirits, Beauties. A Journey through the Myths of Ancient China

This art book is a large-scale project by artist and writer Si Wang, offering a new interpretation of ancient Chinese myths. The main source of inspiration was the ‘Book of Mountains and Seas’ (‘Shan Hai Jing’).

Si Wang transforms fierce spirits and monsters into captivating women, combining fragility with power. The nine-tailed fox, the winged dragon Yinglong, and the bird Jingwei appear as mysterious beauties, revealing the duality of nature. Here are the results of her seven years of work, uniting more than a hundred works. In addition to the spirits from the 'Book of Mountains and Seas', the book will guide the reader through the worlds of flowers and fish, the murals of Dunhuang, ‘Strange Stories’ by Liao Zhai, and the cycle of seasons.
As both an artist and a writer, Si Wang reveals the symbolism of each work. A new translation of classical texts from Chinese was made for the book, ensuring a more accurate and contemporary interpretation.

This gift edition is a bridge between ancient mythology and contemporary art, which will become a true treasure for connoisseurs of Chinese culture and exquisite visual aesthetics.

Ancient China is not just chronicles and annals. It is a world of images, where the mythology of China shaped the understanding of nature, power, femininity, and fate. In this book, Chinese myths, demonology of China, and Chinese folktales are revealed as part of a living tradition: before us is not just a retelling, but an artistic statement that continues the conversation about what Chinese culture is today and how women are portrayed in art.

Si Wang's visual language resonates with the traditions of Chinese painting, preserving respect for the sources and offering a modern reading. This is an expressive book with illustrations aimed at adult readers who are interested in books about art and Asian literature, as well as female archetypes and the myths of peoples around the world. A guide to China as you have never seen it before – a wonderful choice as a gift book for women and for anyone interested in oriental studies and Chinese books.