What are the characteristics of mythological stories?

Myths have certain regional and regional characteristics.

Different civilizations or nations have their own understanding of the meaning of myths. Across the globe, myths with strikingly similar descriptions of the same phenomenon have emerged. For example, the myth about the global flood tens of thousands of years ago has similar descriptions in many regions at the same time.

Myths are generally divided into three categories: creation myths, myths of gods and Buddhas, and myths of heroes. Among them, the creation myth is especially important. Extended information

Chinese Mythology: Stealing grains to humans - the sacrificial sheep

Chinese mythology is rich and colorful, and sheep are often the protagonists in many mythological stories that have been passed down to this day. May the myth about sheep accompany you happily every day of your life.

Stealing grain and giving it to humans - sacrificial sheep. In ancient times without writing, it was impossible for people to scientifically explain the history of sheep domestication, but they could reflect their own understanding through myths.

Some of the Bai people living in the high and cold mountainous areas of Yunnan were still in the late stage of clan society until the founding of the People's Republic of China. Social development was very slow. Sheep were still people's main source of livelihood, and the myth reflecting the nomadic life was complete. save. According to the myths of the Bai people spread in Eryuan County and Yunlong County of Yunnan Province, sheep first appeared at the source of the Jinsha River.

A fairy sheep was driven to Cangshan Mountain by a mountain dog and ran into the house of Uncle Wang, a single family in a single village. It refused to leave no matter how much it was shouted at. Uncle Wang's family had never seen a sheep before. When they saw this thing with curved horns, long hair and a bleating sound, they didn't know what kind of wild animal it was. They quickly ran down the mountain to invite King Bai to see it. When King Bai saw that it was a sheep, he was very happy and taught his uncle Wang's family how to herd and raise sheep.

Three years later, the sheep multiplied into flocks. King Bai distributed the sheep to the people living in the mountains for grazing, and the goats to the people living in the dam for grazing. From then on, there were sheep in the world.

In most areas of our country, due to the early emergence of agricultural civilization, the myth of the birth of sheep is often associated with the cultivation of grains. It is said that in ancient times, there were no whole grains in the world. One year in September, a sacred sheep came to the world and found that the people only ate wild fruits and vegetables and were skinny and skinny. He felt very sympathetic.

After the kind-hearted Sheep learned that there were no grains in the world, he returned to heaven, stole five kinds of grains from the Jade Emperor's grain fields, sent them to the world, and taught people how to sow grains. From then on, the world began to eat whole grains, and life became better. When the Jade Emperor found out, he was very angry and ordered the gods to bring the sacred sheep to the human world for slaughter, and asked people to eat the mutton.

Unexpectedly, in the second year, the place where the divine sheep was slaughtered was covered with green horse lotus grass, and another lamb was born. Since then, sheep have been passed down from generation to generation in the world. They make a living by eating grass, but provide goat milk, mutton and fur for people to enjoy.

This myth not only explains the origin of sheep, but also shows the close relationship between sheep and humans and humans’ emotions towards sheep.

Here, people can’t help but think of Prometheus in Greek mythology. Prometheus stole fire from heaven and brought it to mankind. He had no regrets even if he was punished the most severely. He was a great and admirable man. Hero; the sheep here steal grain seeds to humans and ultimately sacrifice their lives for righteousness. They also have the spirit of sacrifice and dedication.

Guangzhou is a famous historical and cultural city in my country. It is known as the City of Sheep, also referred to as "Sui", which is related to the myth of sheep bringing grain. It is said that at the end of the Zhou Dynasty, five immortals rode five sheep with ears of grain in their mouths and came to Chuting (now Guangzhou). They gave the ears of grain to people, hoping that there would never be famine here. After the immortal disappeared, the sheep turned into stone.

Although the sheep here do not reflect the spirit of sacrifice, the fact that it benefits humans and that humans are grateful for it is very similar to the above myth. To this day, there is a statue of five sheep in Guangzhou.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Mythical Stories