Asian Mythologies

These 130 articles Aisan mythologies and cover such topics as Buddhist and Hindu symbolic systems, myth in pre-Islamic Iran, Chinese cosmology and demons, and the Japanese conceptions of the afterlife and the "vital spirit". Also includes myths from Turkey, Korea, Tibet, and Mongolia. Illustrations.

This is an A-Z dictionary of mythologies of the Asian continent. Major characters, places and events of Asian mythology, as well as certain relevant themes and cultural traditions are included.

This is your lucky day! You just got a book of 3 manuscripts for a discounted price. Do yourself a favor and pick up this fascinating account of Chinese folklore and mythology, which includes the following three books: Book 1: As you begin to read or listen to this book, you will become familiar with all the gods and goddesses of Chinese culture. The historical context will become clear, as well as the institutions, the law, the rules about sexuality, marriage, and children, and so much more. Understanding these aspects of their society before fully becoming engaged in the folklore that was the popular belief at the time, is essential to your comprehension of the cultural anecdotes in those tales. Towards the end of the book, you’ll also learn about Confucianism, Monism, Taoism, Buddhism, and other dominating religious or spiritual paths that have been common in China. Book 2: Have you ever heard about the Old Mother of Waters? How about Miao Shan? Or the medicine god? The Chinese had so many gods that it was probably a huge task to remember or memorize them all. For almost everything, there was either a god or a goddess. But a simple list of all the gods wouldn’t suffice to satisfy your appetite for the mystery of religious history in this massive country. So to help you enjoy the book, the intricate stories of betrayal, supernatural powers, love, and hatred are described in detail in this guide. You will learn about the fire and water gods the Chinese believed in, the ruler of the heavens they perceived, and the complicated patterns some of these heroes or villains supposedly created in their lives. Book 3: In this book in the series, the most important legends from China will come to light. You will read about the famous monkey who became a god through his clever trickery and struggles, for instance. This is an amazing story that has inspired millions to depict the protagonist in paintings, sculptures, and other art works. Another interesting story that has been shown in Asian movies in great detail, is the battle of all the Chinese gods. The eight immortals that are mentioned in Chinese mythology will be described, and so many other things that will keep you reading or listening.

This book includes three captivating manuscripts: Chinese Mythology Japanese Mythology Hindu Mythology

Meet the supreme Gautama Buddha, the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesa, and Chang O--the Lunar Toad who is Chinese goddess of the Moon. Journey to the sacred Cambodian ruins of Angkor and golden Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods. Discover myths like the Stone and the Banana of Indonesian origin and the Indian Churning of the Ocean of Milk, and explore archetypal themes such as the hero quest, sacrifice, and descent to the underworld. Myth expert David Leeming plumbs the exotic depths of Eastern spirituality to present a vivid portrait of the many mythologies of the Asian continent. In handy A to Z format, here are the stories of the revered deities, sacred places, key events and epics, and recurring themes and traditions that make up the rich and varied fabric of Asian mythology. Entries address the key mythologies of the regions we now call India, China, Tibet, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Throughout, an extensive network of cross-references highlights the diversity, interrelatedness, and complex beauty of Asia--allowing readers to pursue a particular trail of inquiry or read straight through the compelling entries. Broad overviews of specific cultures and their mythic traditions round out the coverage.

This is an A-Z dictionary of mythologies of the Asian continent. Major characters, places and events of Asian mythology, as well as certain relevant themes and cultural traditions are included.

This is a new release of the original 1925 edition.

In Chinese Mythology, Anne Birrell provides English translations of some 300 representative myth narratives selected from over 100 classical texts, many of which have never before been translated into any Western language. Organizing the narratives according to themes and motifs common to world mythology, Birrell addresses issues of source, dating, attribution, textural variants, multiforms, and context. Drawing on exhaustive work in comparative mythology, she surveys the development of Chinese myth studies, summarizes the contribution of Chinese and Japanese scholars to the study of Chinese myth since the 1920s, and examines special aspects of traditional approaches to Chinese myth. The result is an unprecedented guide to the study of Chinese myth for specialists and nonspecialists alike.