SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Folklore

  • Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio: A Gateway to China’s Fantastical Folklore

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    Rob

    In the vast landscape of Chinese literature, few works blend fantasy, romance, social critique, and folklore as masterfully as Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (Liaozhai Zhiyi). Written by Pu Songling (1640–1715), a scholar of the Qing Dynasty, this collection of over 490 short stories has enchanted readers for centuries with its vivid depictions…

  • The Tiger’s Redemption

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    Ana

    “The Tiger of Zhao Cheng (The Repentant Tiger)” is a story from Strange Tales from Liaozhai (Liaozhai Zhiyi), recounting a tale of filial piety, vengeance, and forgiveness. Set in Zhao Cheng, the story revolves around an elderly woman and her son.

  • Corpse heap survival in “Wild Dogs”

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    Ana

    The story “Wild Dogs” from Strange Tales from Liaozhai is set against the backdrop of a rebellion led by Yu Qi in Qixia County, Shandong Province.

  • Fox Spirits in Journey to the West

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    Juan

    In Chinese mythology, fox spirits are magical beings capable of shape-shifting, often assuming the form of enchanting, seductive women. These creatures are famed for their supernatural abilities, which grow stronger with age and accumulated knowledge. Across folklore, they frequently interact with humans—particularly men—to drain their life force and enhance their own power.

  • Nine-Headed Insect and Journey to the West

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    Juan

    The Nine-Headed Insect, also known as the Nine-Headed Bird or Nine-Headed Avian, is a mythical creature in Chinese legends and serves as the original inspiration for the Nine-Headed Insect featured in the mythological novel Journey to the West.

  • [Journey to the West] The mystery of Heavenly King Li’s adopted daughter

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    Juan

    In Journey to the West, Heavenly King Li Jing (also known as Devaraja Li, or Li Tianwang) is famously known for his three sons—Jinzha, Muzha, Nezha and the little daughter Zhen Ying. However, many readers are puzzled by the connection between Heavenly King Li Jing and his adopted daughter, the Mouse Demon.

  • Crow’s Nest Chan Master and Heart Sutra in Journey to the West

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    Juan

    In Journey to the West, Master Subodhi (Subhuti) and Zen Master Wu Chao stand out as two of the most enigmatic figures. Both characters make only brief appearances in the novel before vanishing without a trace. Despite their fleeting presence, they play pivotal roles in shaping the story’s progression and spiritual undertones.

  • The Huangting Jing in Journey to the West

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    Juan

    In the first chapter of Journey to the West, Sun Wukong encounters a woodcutter singing verses from the Huangting Jing (Yellow Court Canon), a foundational Taoist text.

  • The Little Sage in Journey to the West and his historical origins

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    Juan

    Erlang Shen, also known as “God Erlang” or the “Little Sage”, holds a unique and pivotal position in Journey to the West. Erlang Shen’s victory over Sun Wukong marks a turning point in the novel, forcing the Monkey King to confront his limitations and paving the way for his eventual redemption under Tang Sanzang.