The Mythological Figure of Nüwa in Chinese Folklore
In the realm of Chinese mythology, Nüwa (Traditional Chinese: 女媧; Simplified Chinese: 女娲; Pinyin: nǚwā) stands out as a notable figure revered for her role in the creation of humanity following tremendous disasters. Scholars argue that Nüwa reflects the essence of early Chinese matriarchal societies, where childbirth was revered as a miraculous event that did not require male involvement. In her initial representations, Nüwa is depicted primarily as a female creator. Over time, narratives evolved, introducing Fuxi, her partner or sibling, who began to take precedence in some mythologies. Artistic portrayals of Nüwa from ancient times often feature her with a human head atop a serpent’s body.
According to the legends, Nüwa crafted the first humans from yellow clay. After exhausting herself, she used a rope dipped in mud, swinging it around, which resulted in the emergence of ordinary people from the splashes, while the meticulously crafted figures symbolized the nobility. Another tale centers on Nüwa’s heroic effort to rescue humanity from the clutches of a devastating flood.
Key Narrative Themes
Nüwa is portrayed primarily as a female entity and has several iterations across various Chinese folklore narratives, taking on multiple roles, including those of a sister, wife, tribal leader, and both creator and sustainer of life. Most versions of the myths focus on her maternal attributes, illustrating her efforts in crafting humanity after a great catastrophe. One significant story concerns a catastrophic fight between two powerful deities, Gong Gong (the Water God) and Zhu Rong (the Fire God), which leads to Apollo’s collapse and a subsequent deluge.
The earliest recorded mention of Nüwa stems from “Liezi” by Lie Yukou (475 – 221 B.C.E.), which describes her as a divine entity who repaired the heavens post-flood and fashioned the first humans from clay. This narrative is echoed in Qu Yuan’s “Elegies of Chu” (340 – 278 B.C.E.), where Nüwa molds figures from fertile earth, endowing them with life and procreative abilities.
Some scholars suggest that Nüwa embodies the archetype of the first creative deity in a matriarchal context, where childbirth was perceived as a stunning phenomenon, separating from any male influence. Over centuries, societal shifts saw the transition toward patriarchal systems, diminishing Nüwa’s prominence in favor of male deities, particularly Fuxi.
By the Han Dynasty (206 – 220 C.E.), narratives began presenting Nüwa and Fuxi as divine progenitors of humankind, often referred to as the “parents of humanity.” The “Shuowen Jiezi,” an ancient dictionary, notes that Nüwa was both a sister and wife to Fuxi, an idea depicted in many artistic representations dating back to the Warring States period.
Nüwa is not merely a creator but also acts as a protector of the natural world and its inhabitants. Initially, she felt isolated in a world beautified by vibrant flora and fauna. To conquer her solitude, she began creating various animals, spanning from chickens to horses. Ultimately, it was when she molded clay figures that the first humans emerged, alleviating her loneliness.
The Catastrophic Deluge
An essential legend involves a fierce quarrel between the deities Gong Gong and Zhu Rong, leading to chaos and destruction as Gong Gong, facing defeat, smashed his head against a sacred mountain that held the heavens. As a consequence, the sky collapsed, and floods ravaged the earth, resulting in significant devastation.
Distressed by the plight of her creations, Nüwa resolved to restore order. She ingeniously melted colorful stones to patch the sky, used the legs of a divine turtle to support the damaged firmament, and executed a dragon to deter other creatures from harming humans. In her relentless quest to mend the world, she eliminated the flood’s effects, allowing humanity to thrive once more. The aftermath of this disaster is said to leave a tilt in the heavens, fundamentally altering the paths of celestial bodies.
The Nüwa legends resonate with similar flood narratives from global cultures, illustrating themes of universal calamity, few survivors enduring through a shared ordeal, and subsequent rebuilding efforts to restore humanity.
Nüwa in Historical Texts
Several historical accounts detail the significance of Nüwa, listed chronologically:
- Liezi (475 – 221 B.C.E.) – Describes Nüwa repairing the heavens after a flood and shaping humans from clay.
- Elegies of Chu (340 – 278 B.C.E.) – Introduces Nüwa’s name and her role in molding figures from yellow earth.
- Huainanzi (179 – 122 B.C.E.) – Details Nüwa’s struggles in restoring the world post-chaos and flood.
- Shiji (145 – 90 B.C.E.) – Mentions connections between Nüwa and Fuxi.
- Shuowen Jiezi (58 – 147 C.E.) – Identifies Nüwa as Fuxi’s sister and wife.
- Duyi Zhi (618 – 907 C.E.) – Narrates the brother-sister dynamic between Nüwa and Fuxi.
- Four Branches of Literature Complete Library (618 – 907 C.E.) – Records Nüwa’s contributions to humanity during its inception.
- Songsi Dashu (960 – 1279 C.E.) – Confirms the creation of humans from clay and explores her wishes for safeguarding marital affairs.
Nüwa remains a profound representation of motherhood and creation within Chinese mythology, highlighting her dual role as both a creator of life and a protector against celestial chaos.
