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jeannie_lin
Joined: 07 Aug 2009
Posts: 19
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| Post subject: Looking for references for Chinese demonology and mythology |
 Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:47 am |
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Hi there! I'm researching Chinese mythology for a story that involves Tao magic and demons. I've found a lot of information on demons, but not a lot on "good" creatures such as fairies. I know good and evil is not so clear cut in Chinese mythology, which is why I think it will work really well in a historical paranormal story.
Does anyone have any good links for this type of information?
Also, a lot of mythology and demonology is woven into historical texts. Are there any you would suggest that are available in English?
Thank you very much.
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Chef Ying
Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 1655
Location: Malaysia
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| Post subject: Re: Looking for references for Chinese demonology and mythol |
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 1:41 pm |
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« jeannie_lin » wrote: Hi there! I'm researching Chinese mythology for a story that involves Tao magic and demons. I've found a lot of information on demons, but not a lot on "good" creatures such as fairies. I know good and evil is not so clear cut in Chinese mythology, which is why I think it will work really well in a historical paranormal story.
Does anyone have any good links for this type of information?
How about Pu Su Ling's book "Liao Zhai" - Strange Tales from the Studio. It does have good and bad spirits in it.
http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_artqa/2003-09/24/content_41674.htm
I suppose another story could be the "Legend of the White Snake" - Bai She Zhuan. This story is a bit complex as to who is the good and bad spirit.
http://www.geocities.com/lindaiweb/BSC_E.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legend_of_the_White_Snake
Quote:
Also, a lot of mythology and demonology is woven into historical texts. Are there any you would suggest that are available in English?
I am a bit stumped on this right now (it is 2.45 am my time). However, in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the character, Zhu Geliang is known to have used his "magical powers" a few times.
I grant though, this does not exactly fall into the realm of mythology and demonology.
Hope this has been of some help.
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Lioness
Joined: 20 Jul 2007
Posts: 72
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| Post subject: Legendary Monkey King |
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 1:57 pm |
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"The Journey to the West" is full of creatures of all sorts and Tao magic. English translation and many helpful notes by Anthony C. Yu, four volumes. Unique reading experience  |
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jeannie_lin
Joined: 07 Aug 2009
Posts: 19
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Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:03 am |
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Thanks Chef Ying and Lioness!
I've read parts of Journey of the West and seen plenty of adaptations. I'll look into these other ones too. It seems like stories are the best resource. Someone needs to put together a Chinese demon compendium! I remember a book of Chinese fairy tales I read when I was younger that was really good.
I was wondering about the White Snake. There's a trend in fantasy/urban fantasy fiction now to feature gods and mythical characters as characters in a book. I don't know if I quite like it because it makes them less godlike. But I really want to feature the White Snake demon in the series. She's the only famous one that I'm using so far. I wonder if knowledgeable readers would be okay with that?
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Chef Ying
Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 1655
Location: Malaysia
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Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 9:13 am |
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« jeannie_lin » wrote:
I was wondering about the White Snake. There's a trend in fantasy/urban fantasy fiction now to feature gods and mythical characters as characters in a book. I don't know if I quite like it because it makes them less godlike. But I really want to feature the White Snake demon in the series. She's the only famous one that I'm using so far. I wonder if knowledgeable readers would be okay with that?
Hmm, using White Snake "Demon" - it is your story, so you will be harnessing your creativity. I noticed you used the word "Demon" when referring to the White Snake.
In the mythology, she was not exactly a demon - perhaps an antihero, but certainly not quite a demon.
Your story may be sen as quite controversial if the White Snake is depicted as a villian.
Just my 2 cents.
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He who needs to come shall eventually come; he who needs to leave shall eventually leave.
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kansteff
Joined: 15 Mar 2007
Posts: 641
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| Post subject: Re: Looking for references for Chinese demonology and mythol |
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 12:05 pm |
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« jeannie_lin » wrote:
Also, a lot of mythology and demonology is woven into historical texts. Are there any you would suggest that are available in English?
Thank you very much.
Fengshen Bang (Chinese: 封神榜) or 'The Investiture of the Gods or The Creation of the Gods' is a rich historical-Chinese Mythology book. Taoism, divination, spirits, deities, end of Shang and the rise of Zhou Dynasties and real historical figures like Jiang Ziya, etc. Heh, you can also find descriptions of various deities' skills, battle moves etc. Highly entertaining.
For more info, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fengshen_Yanyi
For short stories, Pu Songling's 'Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio or Strange Tales of Liaozhai' is another good source.
Both have been translated into English and other languages.
Mythology books were especially popular during the Ming Dynasty. |
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jeannie_lin
Joined: 07 Aug 2009
Posts: 19
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Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 12:57 pm |
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[quote="Chef Ying"] « jeannie_lin » wrote:
In the mythology, she was not exactly a demon - perhaps an antihero, but certainly not quite a demon.
Your story may be sen as quite controversial if the White Snake is depicted as a villian.
Just my 2 cents.
This is a good point. I'm having a lot of problem with the English rendering -- there's so many different classes of supernatural creatures and there's not a great way to explain in English. I'm trying to figure out a way to do that and still be accessible.
The White Snake in my story is sort of an anti-heroine -- she's the love interest, but tragically so, of course. 
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Website: http://jeannielin.com
Butterfly Swords Official Launch page
http://www.butterfly-swords.com |
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Chef Ying
Joined: 30 May 2007
Posts: 1655
Location: Malaysia
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| Post subject: |
Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:21 am |
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« jeannie_lin » wrote: « Chef Ying » wrote:
In the mythology, she was not exactly a demon - perhaps an antihero, but certainly not quite a demon.
Your story may be sen as quite controversial if the White Snake is depicted as a villian.
Just my 2 cents.
This is a good point. I'm having a lot of problem with the English rendering -- there's so many different classes of supernatural creatures and there's not a great way to explain in English. I'm trying to figure out a way to do that and still be accessible.
The White Snake in my story is sort of an anti-heroine -- she's the love interest, but tragically so, of course.
I look forward to reading your version of this story. Originally, this story was set in Hangzhou. Are you setting it in the same place?
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He who needs to come shall eventually come; he who needs to leave shall eventually leave.
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jeannie_lin
Joined: 07 Aug 2009
Posts: 19
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Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 3:57 pm |
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« Chef Ying » wrote:
I look forward to reading your version of this story. Originally, this story was set in Hangzhou. Are you setting it in the same place?
I make a reference to Hangzhou as a nod to the original legend, but I'm not retelling the original story as much as taking the character and using her in my own story. I hope that doesn't upset readers!
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Website: http://jeannielin.com
Butterfly Swords Official Launch page
http://www.butterfly-swords.com |
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