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CHINA
All Under Heaven

The Dynasties of China
Xia (2000-1500 B.C.E.)
Shang/Yin (1500-1050 B.C.E.)
Zhou (1050-221 B.C.E.)
Qin (221-206 B.C.E.)
Han (202 B.C.E.-220 C.E.)
Wei/Jin/Northern and Southern (220-581)
Sui (581-618)
Tang (618-907)
5 Dynasties/10 Kingdoms (907-960)
Song (960-1279)
Yuan
 [Mongol] (1276-1368)
Ming (1368-1644)
Qing [Manchu] (1644-1911)

Primary Sources on Chinese mythology
Shan Hai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Seas)
Tian Wen (Questions of Heaven)
Hei'an Zhuan (Epic of Darkness)
Journey to the West 
(By "the West", the ancient Chinese meant India, not Europe or the Anglosphere)

Chinese Gods and Stories

After his Journey to the West, the Monkey King was elevated to Buddha status and became...

Victorious Fighting Buddha

Chinese Mythical Creatures

Types of Chinese Dragon

Tianlong
Heavenly Dragon
Pulls the chariots of the gods and guards the heavenly palaces

Shenlong
Spirit Dragon
Controls the weather

Must be appeased for good weather

Fuzanglong
Hidden Treasure Dragon
Guards precious jewels and metals deep in the earth
Creates volcanoes by bursting from the earth to report to the Heavens

Dilong
Earth Dragon
Controls the rivers
In the spring, it lives in the Heavens
In the autumn, it lives beneath the sea


Yinglong
Winged Dragon
Servant of Huang Di
Prevented the Huang He River from overflowing by using its tail to dig channels


Jiaolong
Horned Dragon
A sea dweller that controls floods

Panlong
Coil Dragon
A lake dweller


 

Confucianism and Taoism

Confucianism, developed by Kong Fu-Zi (Great Master Kong, or Confucius) and expanded upon by Mengzi (Mencius), Xunzi, and other figures,, is the code of ethics and morals that makes up the core framework of Chinese tradition.
Its central texts are the Five Classics (including the I Ching), Great Learning,, the Mean, the Analects, and the Mencius.

Taoism, developed by Laozi (Lao-Tzu) and expanded upon by Chuangzi (Chuang-Tzu), is all about the balance of nature and the cycle of life.
Its core text is the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing).

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