Bree
Newton
History 387
Presentation Outline
2.2.05
Yu the Great
and other Chinese Myths
I.
Yu the Great
A. Predecessor of the first Dynasty-
The Xia
B. Father, Gun, given the task of controlling
the
C. Yu appointed to father’s position
D. Worked tirelessly for 13 years to
stabilize river
1. Dug canals/irrigation ditches
2. Rerouted rivers around/under
mountains => bear transformation
3. Supposedly never went home-
even for birth of son Qi
4. It is said he beat the river
into submission with a hammer of the gods
E. After finishing, the King made Yu
heir to his kingdom
F. After Yu’s death his son, Qi,
placed himself on the throne, disobeying his father
G. Qi founded the first dynasty
known as the Xia
H. After his death Yu’s legend grew to god-like status
1. Now
known as the god of flood control
II. Other Mythical
Heroes in a Modern Context
A.
Qin Shi Huangdi – first
emperor of a united China
1. Mythologized in the movie
Hero
B. Mythical Warriors/Battles
1. As seen in Crouching Tiger,
Hidden Dragon
III. Conclusion
A.
Most of China’s mythology derives from the country’s history that is exaggerated
over the centuries, so the people and actions involved become larger than
life figures.
Tomb of
Yu the Great