Myths and legends about sheep

There are many myths handed down in ancient China, among which the myth stories about sheep are often mentioned by people. Sheep are also the protagonists in many fairy tales and one of the animals of the zodiac. The following is a story about sheep. Let's learn the story of sheep with me.

Myths and legends about sheep

Stealing food for mankind-special sheep

Among the six animals, sheep is the earliest domesticated animal except dogs. About 10,000 years ago, humans domesticated goats first and then sheep. In ancient times without words, it was impossible for people to explain the history of sheep domestication scientifically, but they could reflect their own understanding through myths and twists and turns.

Until the founding of New China, some Bai people living in the alpine mountain areas of Yunnan were still at the end of clan society, and social development was very slow. Sheep are still the main source of people's lives, and the myth reflecting nomadic life has been completely preserved. According to the Bai myth circulating in Eryuan County and Yunlong County of Yunnan Province, sheep first appeared at the source of Jinsha River. A fairy sheep was driven to Cangshan by coyotes and ran into the uncle Wang's house of a single-family family. No matter how he shouts, he just won't go. Uncle Wang's family has never seen a sheep. Seeing this long-haired bleating thing around the corner, I don't know what it is, so I hurried down the mountain and invited White King to see it. White King was very happy to see that it was a sheep, and taught his uncle the technology of herding sheep. Three years later, the flock multiplied. White King distributed these sheep to people in the mountains and goats to people on the dam. Since then, there have been sheep in the world.

In most parts of China, due to the early emergence of farming civilization, the myth of sheep is often associated with the cultivation of grain. It is said that in ancient times, there were no grains on the earth. One September, a god sheep came to the world and found that the people only ate wild fruits and vegetables, and they were skinny and very sympathetic. After learning that there were no grains in the world, the kind-hearted God Sheep returned to heaven, stole five kinds of ears of grain from the grain field of the Jade Emperor, and sent them to the world to teach people how to sow grains. Since then, the world has only eaten whole grains, and the days are getting better and better. The Jade Emperor was very angry when he learned about it. He ordered the gods to pull the sheep to the world for slaughter and invite people to eat mutton. Unexpectedly, the next year, in the place where the god sheep was slaughtered, green lotus grass was covered and a lamb was born. From generation to generation, sheep eat grass for a living, 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 human beings and human feelings for sheep. Speaking of this, people can't help but think of Prometheus in Greek mythology. Prometheus stole skyfire and brought it to mankind. Even though he was severely punished, he had no regrets and was a great hero who was revered. The sheep here steal the seeds of human grains, and finally give their lives for righteousness, and they also have the spirit of sacrifice and dedication.

Guangzhou is a famous historical and cultural city in China, known as Yangcheng in ancient times, also referred to as "Sui", which is related to the myth that sheep send food. According to legend, at the end of the Zhou Dynasty, five immortals rode five sheep with ears of grain to Chuting (now Guangzhou) and gave them to people, hoping that there would never be a famine here. After the fairy disappeared, the sheep turned to stone. Although the sheep here does not reflect the spirit of sacrifice, it has benefited mankind, and mankind is full of gratitude for it, which is very similar to the myth above. Up to now, there is a statue of five sheep in Guangzhou.

The fairest way to decide a case in court-the sheep of justice

In mythology, sheep is not only a hero who brings coarse grains to the world, Prometheus of China, but also a hero who helps the goddess to mend the sky.

In ancient times, because of the anger of Gonggong, Zhoushan was not hit, Tianzhu was broken, Kyushu was cracked, the sky collapsed in the northwest, the ground sank in the southeast, floods spread, fires spread and people were displaced. Seeing that mankind was caught in such a huge disaster, Nu Wa was in agony and determined to mend the sky by refining stones. After 7749 days of refining, four kinds of repair stones, red, yellow, blue and black, have been refined, except the white one. Nuwa thought from morning till night, and from night to dawn. When there was nothing she could do, seven sheep came back. () The leading God Sheep said to Nu Wa that as long as you borrow the Big Dipper, cut them into stones and put them in the furnace to be refined with other stones, the other stones will turn white. Nu Wa ordered God Sheep to cut the seven stars into stone shapes. The holy sheep dripped nectar on the seven stars and kept cutting and grinding day and night. Dark corners of the eyes, blistering lips. After seven days and seven nights, the seven-star stone was finally cut into gems, refined in a stone furnace for seven days and seven nights, and finally a white stone was extracted. When the weather is fine, people can live and work in peace again.

Sheep are also the embodiment of justice. In ancient times, there was a justice named Hao Tao under Emperor Yao. When he was a child, he liked to judge the truth. When he found him, he could tell right from wrong. Everyone said that he was a great sage, impartial and admired. As time went on, Hao Tao's name spread to Beijing. At that time, there was no court, and many things of fighting and swearing at ordinary times were not solved, and Yao was also a headache. When he heard Hao Tao's name, he was very happy, so he rode a donkey over dozens of mountains and came to Hao Tao's home. At the repeated request of Emperor Yao, Hao Tao had to go to Beijing with him. Yao put him in charge of legal affairs in the world, and everything was as fair as water. In a few years, many cases in the country have been dealt with clearly, and everyone is convinced. One year, Xifan paid tribute to Emperor Yao, a monster with horns on his head, like a unicorn, which was beautiful. As soon as Yao was happy, he ordered all the officials to open their eyes in court. Who knows that before I lined up, I heard a scream of "Ouch", and a big official named Kong Ren was killed by a monster. Officials are very scared, and some turn around and want to run. Hao Tao said, "Don't be afraid. This is a god sheep, it will judge who is good and who is bad. Whoever gets it means who has done something bad. " Everyone said it made sense. Kong Renping was guilty of many evils and should have been punished long ago. It is because of Yao's generosity that he has not been punished. When Emperor Yao sees that Hao Tao knows this monster, he will reward him. Hao Tao wants nothing but this god sheep. From then on, Hao Tao took the sheep to court every time he handled a case. If it reaches anyone, Hao Tao will sentence anyone who ignores it, ranging from leaving the hall to going to prison.

Because sheep is the embodiment of justice, in the Warring States period, the imperial censors and prison officials of Qin and Chu all wore crowns with the pattern of the one-horned god sheep to show solemnity and justice. Later generations called the one-horned sheep "war horse" and painted it on the official clothes. As a symbol of fair law enforcement, it has been used until the Qing Dynasty.

Save people from danger and help their dutiful son-kind sheep

In fairy tales, sheep also help dutiful sons and save people from danger.

Once upon a time, there was a farmer named Wang Xiaoliang who was very filial to his mother. One day, Wang Xiaoliang was working in the field. Suddenly, dark clouds rolled in the northwest sky, with lightning and thunder. Soon, it began to rain cats and dogs, and the mountain torrents were coming down. He hurriedly put down his hoe and ran home. As soon as he entered the yard, his wife shouted at him, "The water is coming into the yard. Please save me and my children quickly!" Wang Xiaoliang, regardless of his wife and children, rushed into the East Room in a few steps, picked up his mother and ran to the hillside. Looking back at his yard, it has become Wang Yang. The landscape rises quickly and disappears quickly. After the flood receded, Wang Xiaoliang hurried home and came to the yard. He saw his wife and children in the house, safe and sound. My wife said that when the flood surged, there was water outside the yard and there was no water in our yard. I also saw two little goats playing outside the door. Wang Xiaoliang ran to the door and saw if there were any goats. ! He hurried back to his mother. Seeing that the whole family was safe, she looked at the disappearing flood and said, "Your filial piety touched the sheep."

In the process of getting along with sheep for a long time, people find that sheep are very docile. This characteristic of sheep is also manifested in mythology.

It is said that pigs and sheep are always slaughtered and determined to seek justice from God. Sheep can run and jump, and their feet are light, so they see God first. I don't want God to listen to the sheep and say with a smile, "Don't blame pigs, sheep, pigs and sheep, you are a piece of human life. You can neither gallop like a horse on the battlefield, nor plow like an ox, nor even guard your home like a dog. You have nothing to do all day, and you are fed by people, but no one is allowed to eat your meat. How can this be true? When I get back, tell the pig to leave it to its fate and not to come. " Hearing this, the sheep thought about it and found it reasonable. Although they feel sad, they have no choice but to go home. From then on, the sheep faced life safely and enjoyed its wonderful moment quietly. When it was slaughtered, it thought it was time to eat and watch for a lifetime, without too much regret, sighed and died peacefully. Pigs can't figure it out. They are always yelling and resentful.

The myth about sheep has been with people for tens of thousands of years. From a scientific point of view, this myth always seems absurd. However, the myth stimulates people's imagination and creativity, and the hardworking, kind, intelligent, brave and just God subtly teaches people the feeling of beauty, the moral standards and value orientation of being a man.