Unit 1 Myths of Cosmogony

Introduction

The emergence of the universe is recorded in both Greek and Chinese myths.Chinese etiological myths of cosmogony[1] are symbolic narratives about the origins of the universe and life in it.They fundamentally differ from monolithic[2] traditions with one authorized version，such as the Judeo-Christian Genesis creation myth.Chinese classics record numerous，sometimes contradictory，origin myths which demonstrate ways of conceptualizing the universe when it was created，or “in the beginning” of mythological time.The basic principle of Chinese cosmology is a primeval[3] vapor，“qi，” which was believed to embody cosmic energy governing matter，time，and space.This energy，according to Chinese mythic narratives，had undergone a transformation at the moment of creation so that the nebulous[4] elements of vapor were differentiated into dual elements of male and female，Yin and Yang，hard and soft matter，and other binary elements.Chinese cosmogonic myths are recorded in ancient books：“Tianwen，” one section of Chu Ci，asks questions about creation myths；Dao De Jingsuggests a less mythical Chinese cosmogony and has some of the earliest allusions to creation；Huainanzi，an eclectic text compiled by Han prince Liu An，contains two cosmogonic myths that develop the dualistic concept of Yin and Yang.However，one of the most popular creation myths，describing the firstborn semidivine human Pangu separating the egglike “primo-rdial chaos” into Heaven and Earth，is not included in any of the ancient Chinese classics until as late as the Three Kingdoms period（220 A.D.-280 A.D.）.

The beginning of the universe in Greek mythology is recorded in Hesiod’s Theogony[5]，which is also the generally accepted notion of the genesis.It is said that before this world came into existence，there was in its place a confused mass of shapeless elements called Chaos[6].Then，either all by themselves or out of the formless void，sprang forth three more primordial deities：Gaia[7]（Earth），Tartarus[8]（the Underworld），and Eros[9]（Love）.Once Love was there，Gaia and Chaos—two female deities—were able to procreate[10] and shape everything known and unknown in the universe.Chaos gave birth to Erebus[11]（Darkness）and Nyx[12]（Night）.Erebus slept with his sister Nyx，and out of this union，Aether[13]，the bright upper air，and Hemera[14]，the Day，emerged.Afterward，feared by everyone but her brother，Nyx fashioned a family of haunting forces all by herself.Among others，her children included the hateful Moros（Fate），the black Ker（Doom），Thanatos（Death），Hypnos（Sleep），Oneiroi（Dream），Geras（Old Age），Oizys（Pain），Nemesis（Revenge），Eris（Strife），Apate（Deceit），Philotes（Sexual Pleasure），Momos（Blame），and the Hesperides（the daughters of the Evening）.With the birth of gods，the universe came into being.