Chinese mythology encompasses a wide range of folklore, history, and religious belief across numerous time periods and peoples, including the present day. Many of these myths are intricately bound to philosophy, religion, tradition, and society.
Chinese Pantheon
Bixia
The Chinese goddess of fertility and guardian of children and mothers
Caishen
Chinese god of wealth and money, whose cudgel turns iron to gold
Cangjie
Revered cultural hero credited with creating the Chinese writing system
Chang’e
Chinese goddess of the moon, best known for stealing the elixir of immortality
Changxi
Lunar goddess in Chinese mythology, mother of the twelve moons
Di Jun
Ancient Chinese emperor, husband to both the sun goddess and moon goddess
Dianmu
Chinese goddess of lightning, married to the thunder god Lei Gong
Doumu
Chinese goddess and cosmic deity, mother of the Big Dipper constellation
Dragon King
The “Dragon King,” Chinese god of all waters, weather, and dragons.
Eight Immortals
Legendary Chinese heroes who fight for justice and vanquish evil.
Erlang Shen
Chinese god of engineering, a great warrior with an all-seeing third eye
Fuxi
Humanity’s original ancestor in Chinese mythology, husband of Nuwa
Guanyin
Benevolent Chinese goddess of mercy, called upon in times of suffering.
Jade Emperor
The Supreme Ruler of Heaven in Chinese mythology, first emperor of China
Ji Gong
The “Mad Monk,” Chinese folk hero and champion for the poor and oppressed
Jiutian Xuannu
Beautiful and mysterious Chinese goddess of war, sex, and longevity
Lei Gong
Chinese god of thunder who punishes evildoers, both human and demon
Lu Ban
Inventive Chinese god of carpentry, patron of builders and contractors
Mazu
Chinese goddess of the sea, patron of sailors, fishermen, and travelers.
Menshen
Fearsome Chinese door gods, guarding building occupants against demons
