Created, edited, and designed by Duncan Baird Publishers. "First Time-Life English language printing 1999." Includes bibliographical references (page 144) and index. China is among the world's oldest civilizations and home to many of the earliest achievements in the history of humankind. The origins of China's imperial rulers lie in a time when the worlds of men and gods were closer than they are now. Chinese mythology relates these origins and those of China, together with the many gifts given to its people by the gods. Ancient dynasties: First Chinese -- Picture essay: Totality of five -- Questions of heaven: From the vapours of chaos -- Square earth -- Mother of the World -- Great flood -- Lin Jun and the water goddess -- Master of the harvest -- Picture essay: Heavenly predictions -- Gift of the gods: Yellow Emperor -- Huang Di's black bead -- Battle of the elements -- Lady Silkworm -- Cowherd and the girl weaver -- Tales of everyday people -- Divine animals -- Sage kings:-- Emperor Yao and his courtiers -- Time of the ten suns -- Elixir of life -- Family trials of young Shun -- Gun and the swelling soil -- Yao finds an heir -- Yu the flood-tamer -- Yu and the tragic marriage -- Yu mounts the dragon throne -- Fall of dynasties -- Picture essay: City of symbols -- Matters of faith -- Bureaucracy of gods -- tales of the eight immortals -- Patrons of the professions -- Outlaw god -- Lords of the waters -- Childhood of Nezha -- Goddess of mercy -- Monkey king -- Picture essay: Power of Qi -- Chinese legacy.

Allan Tony Phillips Charles Chinnery John D

Land of the dragon : Chinese myth