Chinese Bestiary. Legendary Creatures of the Celestial Empire

Chinese mythology is full of unusual creatures and great heroes. Here, gods, monsters, and spirits control the elements, guard order, and embody chaos. Folk legends, fears, and hopes have taken form in various beings and spread throughout the human world.

The book will tell you about:
— legendary lords and heroes: the feats of Hou Yi and the Monkey King Sun Wukong;
— famous Chinese dragons: Luna and his sons;
— guardians of wisdom and creators of chaos: Qilin, the giant Chi Yu, the beast Qiuzi, and others;
— the four zodiac signs, spirits, and other wondrous beings.

The Chinese bestiary shows how myth connects history and faith: legendary rulers become ancestors and lawmakers, monsters are the embodiment of natural disasters and moral trials, and mythical plots continue to live in the festivals, rituals, and cultural symbols of modern China.