Chinese Legends

Welcome to the Chinese Legends section.

Legends tell us a lot about society and people from which the legend arosed. Many times, legends reflect on one hand collective social ideals and on the other individual aspirations. Very often, it shows the tension between the two.

The legends that survive over time also reflect the collective values that are transmitted from one generation to another in either oral or written form. It can also represent different issues in different periods.

Since there are many sources of Chinese legends, we will make ours a little special by offering a summary of the legend and explore the significance or messages imbedded in the legends.

Note that “legend” is used in a very broad sense as some of the legends can overlap with historical narratives or religious sermons.  

	Madam White Snake 白蛇传 The tragic love story between a Song dynasty scholar and a White Snake spirit. The struggle between social norms and individual desires. Which forces will emerge the victor in this case?
	Moon cake and Mongols A popular Mid Autumn legend claims that moon cakes were instrumental in the overthrow of the Mongol dynasty in China. Chinatownology locates this myth against the historical backdrop of the Mongol dynasty.
	The Patriotic Princess/Princess Chang Ping 帝女花 The story of last Ming princess who used sucide as political resistance and an attempt to help restore her fallen dynasty.
	Romance of the three kingdoms Guan Gong culture One of the most popular Chinese stories based on Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history.

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Madam White Snake, Singapore

Journey to the west, Fu Shan Si, Burma

Chang er drifting to the moon,
Mid Autumn Singapore Chinatown