When we think about the end of the world, what do we imagine? Perhaps we picture the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the final battle between good and evil, or a last judgment that determines the fate of humanity. The world as we know it comes to an end, and everything builds towards that finalContinue reading “Chinese vs. Western Fantasy: When the World Ends, What Comes Next?”
Tag Archives: Chinese lore
Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (3): Ghosts- Moral Punishment vs Administrative Continuity
Ghost stories exist in almost every culture. They appear in different forms, wear different faces, and follow different rules. Yet beneath these differences, ghosts often represent one universal idea: The past is not truly gone. The dead leave behind memories, obligations, regrets, and unfinished relationships. When a ghost appears, it is a sign that somethingContinue reading “Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (3): Ghosts- Moral Punishment vs Administrative Continuity”
Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (1): Dragons
I am starting a new post series that compares elements of Chinese fantasy versus Western fantasy. For the very first post, I am going to focus on dragons. When we say “dragon”, we are often assuming a shared idea. But that assumption doesn’t really hold once you compare Chinese and Western contexts. Broadly speaking, theContinue reading “Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (1): Dragons”
Fictionalising Historical Figures in Chinese culture
I don’t think Chinese is the only culture that fictionalises historical figures. I mean, this is a practice that is still ongoing when we think about historical fiction as a genre whenever it leverages a well known historical figure. But this is the focus of this post given the nature of this blog. I’m notContinue reading “Fictionalising Historical Figures in Chinese culture”
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (26)
This is the last post for this particular series. Lin Physical Description: A hound-like beast with tiger-like claws, scaled. Special Properties: It is good at jumping and pouncing. Consuming its meat can cure some health condition Gui Physical Description: A turtle-like creature with a red head and a white body. Special Properties: It has fireContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (26) “
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (23)
Wen Wen Physical Description: A bee-like insect with a forked tail and a tongue that grows backwards. Special Properties: It makes a loud sound. Ying Shao (or Baby Spoon) Physical Description: A magpie-like bird that has red eyes, a red beak, a white body and a tail shaped like a spoon. Special Properties: It makesContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (23)”
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (22)
Pi Physical Description: An deer-like creature with its anus growing on its tail. Tong Tong Physical Description: An pig-like creature. Special Properties: The sound it makes is like its name. Pearls grow inside its body. Xiu Fish Physical Description: Looks like the Crucian carp with a big head. Special Properties: Its meat is a cureContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (22)”
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (21)
Xiang She (or Elephant Snake) Physical Description: A bird that looks like female pheasants except for multi-coloured feathers. Special Properties: The sound it makes is like its name. It is a uni-sex creature. Xian Fu Physical Description: Looks like a Crucian carp except that it has a pig-like body. Special Properties: Consuming its meat isContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (21)”
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (20)
Fen Physical Description: A magpie-like bird with a white body, red tail and six feet. Special Properties: The sound it makes is like its name. It is easily scared. Human Fish Physical Description: Looks like a catfish with four feet. Special Properties: The sound it makes is like babies crying. Consuming its meat protects againstContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (20)”
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (19)
Xiao Physical Description: A monkey-like bird with two pairs of wings, a single eye and a dog-like tail. Special Properties: The sound of its call is like that of magpies. Consuming its meat cures stomachaches and diarrhea. Yong Yong Fish Physical Description: A fish that looks like a yak. Special Properties: The sound it makesContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (19)”
