Fuxi (伏羲) and Nuwa (女娲) hold significant positions within Chinese mythology as pivotal deities credited with the creation of humankind. Fuxi is recognized for introducing various innovations that greatly enhanced human existence, while Nuwa is celebrated for her heroic efforts in saving humanity from an overwhelming disaster. Their shared legacy results in their recognition as cultural heroes, renowned throughout Chinese history and often placed among the legendary Three Sovereigns.
The Genesis of the Universe
Traditional Chinese mythology begins with Pangu (盘古), regarded as the initial living entity and the world’s creator. Emerging from a state of chaos encapsulated in a cosmic egg, Pangu is portrayed in some narratives as an active participant in shaping the world. Through his understanding of Yin and Yang, he separates the heavens from the earth, organizes celestial bodies, carves out seas, and forms mountains and valleys.
In another rendition of the tale, the universe’s creation follows Pangu’s demise. Emerging again from the cosmic egg and then separating the sky from the earth, Pangu holds the heavens aloft for 18,000 years until he succumbs to fatigue. His bodily remains then become the fabric of the world; his left eye transforms into the sun, while his right becomes the moon. Rivers flow from his blood, his flesh becomes fertile soil, rocks emerge from his bones, and trees sprout from his hair.
In this myth, the origins of humanity also vary. Some accounts suggest humans were initially mere fleas on Pangu’s body, while others claim these fleas evolved into animals, leaving humankind’s creation for a later date. In various versions of the Fuxi and Nuwa myth, they are presented either as the first humans to appear alongside the creation of the world or as the sole survivors from a catastrophic flood that wiped out humanity. Another interpretation claims they are the offspring of a lesser-known goddess named Huaxu (华胥), who became pregnant after stepping in the footprint of the thunder god.
Fuxi and Nuwa: The Progenitors of Humanity
Traditionally portrayed together, Fuxi and Nuwa are often depicted as siblings, a narrative complication in myths where they stand as the first humans or as the last survivors of a great flood. In both stories, they find themselves atop the mythical Kunlun Mountains, seeking divine guidance on whether to marry and (re)populate the earth.
Employing divination practices, one version suggests that Fuxi and Nuwa ascended two distinct peaks, lighting fires. If the smoke rose straight, it signified disapproval of their union. Conversely, if the smoke swirled together, it indicated divine approval. The resulting intertwining smoke led them to marry. In one variant, they have a child, whom they then disseminate across the world, thereby initiating the human race.
The Creation of Humans
A more renowned narrative features Nuwa as the primary figure in crafting humans from clay. Stricken by loneliness, she begins her creation saga by sculpting creatures from mud. For six days, she invents various animals—including chickens, dogs, boars, sheep, cows, and horses—before creating humans on the seventh day, a tale that inspires the celebration known as ‘Human Day’ during the seventh day of the Chinese New Year.
Nuwa’s act of creating humanity serves as a metaphor for social hierarchy in Chinese culture. In one version of the story, after experiencing fatigue from hand-sculpting humans, she resorts to swinging a rope dipped in mud, resulting in clay figures symbolizing the nobility, while the blobs represent the common people.
Fuxi’s Contributions to Civilization
While Fuxi may not have played a direct role in the initial creation of humankind, he is renowned for introducing significant innovations that improved the lives of humans. Among these was the introduction of fishing.
Noticing humanity’s reliance on unpredictable hunting, Fuxi, driven by compassion for his starving children, caught fish by hand and taught them this method. This innovation allowed a reliable food source. However, the Dragon King, ruler of the waters, soon grew enraged at the diminishing number of his fish and instructed Fuxi to cease hand-catching.
Disheartened, Fuxi pondered a solution until inspiration struck while observing a spider weave. He devised a fishing net from reeds to supplement the food supply. Fuxi also pioneered animal domestication, ensuring consistent access to meat and resources like eggs and milk, while laying down the foundations of civil structures such as currency, writing, and marriage customs.
Nuwa’s Act of Sacrifice
Conversely, Nuwa is portrayed less as an inventor but filled with compassion and a sense of guardianship towards humanity. Believing her creation was threatened, she reacted to a cataclysmic struggle between Gonggong (龚工), a water god, and Zhurong (祝融), a fire god. In Gonggong’s rage after losing the battle, he crashed into the legendary Buzhou Mountain, one of the four pillars supporting the heavens, causing chaos—floods, fires, and monstrous creatures surged forth to wreak havoc on humanity.
Heartbroken at the suffering of her creations, Nuwa sprang into action. She melted five colored stones to mend the sky, sought the help of Ao, the sky turtle, sacrificing its legs to restore the mountain pillar. Additionally, she dispatches a dragon to scare off the emerging beasts and burns reeds to stem the flooding. In one variant, Nuwa sacrifices herself to fill the remaining gap in the sky, ultimately saving humanity.
As a result of Nuwa’s diligent efforts, peace returned to the world, but the incident established the peculiarity of China’s rivers flowing from the west to east—a lasting consequence of the sky’s mishap.
While Nuwa is believed to have perished after her monumental effort, Fuxi is said to have lived for nearly 200 years, with his tomb situated in Huaiyang County, Henan Province. His burial site, a sanctified compound aligned with the Eight Trigrams, is part of China’s cultural heritage.
Artfully depicted in various forms, Fuxi and Nuwa are sometimes shown as hybrid beings—part human, part serpentine, often intertwined, symbolizing their deep union. They frequently hold symbols of architecture, representing their foundational role in human society.
The veneration for Fuxi and Nuwa endures in Chinese culture, extending beyond its borders. Various ethnic groups, such as the Miao people, regard themselves as descendants of these deities. Their continued worship can be seen in temples and sites of reverence, reflecting their lasting influence, including portrayals in modern media.
Conclusion
Fuxi and Nuwa’s narratives have woven deep threads into the fabric of Chinese mythology, signifying the profound respect the culture has for these ancient deities. Their stories not only illustrate the myths surrounding creation but also the enduring societal structures that they helped shape.
