📜 Chinese Sacred Texts

Philosophical Foundations

I Ching (易經, Yìjīng) - Book of Changes

• Date: ~1000 BCE (Zhou Dynasty)
• Content: 64 hexagrams for divination, philosophical commentary
• Significance: Oldest Chinese classical text, foundation of yin-yang philosophy
• Use: Divination through coin toss or yarrow stalks
• Influence: Basis for Taoist cosmology, feng shui, strategic thinking

Tao Te Ching (道德經, Dàodéjīng)

• Author: Laozi (老子)
• Date: ~6th century BCE
• Content: 81 brief chapters on the Way (Dao) and virtue (De)
• Key Concepts: Wu wei (non-action), simplicity, humility, natural flow
• Significance: Foundational Taoist text, among world's most translated books
• Famous Lines: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

Zhuangzi (莊子)

• Author: Zhuang Zhou (莊周)
• Date: ~4th century BCE
• Content: Philosophical parables, stories, dialogues
• Style: Humorous, paradoxical, uses mythology freely
• Famous Stories: Butterfly Dream, Peng bird, Hundun's death

Analects (論語, Lúnyǔ)

• Content: Confucius's sayings compiled by disciples
• Date: ~5th-3rd century BCE
• Themes: Moral cultivation, filial piety, proper conduct, governance
• Influence: Foundation of Chinese education and ethics for 2,500 years

Mythological & Cosmological Texts

Shan Hai Jing (山海經) - Classic of Mountains and Seas

• Date: ~4th century BCE
• Content: Geographic compendium with mythical creatures, deities, locations
• Significance: Primary source for Chinese mythology and ancient geography
• Creatures: Hundreds of fantastic beasts with detailed descriptions
• Modern Use: Inspiration for fantasy worldbuilding

Huainanzi (淮南子)

• Date: 2nd century BCE
• Content: Philosophy, cosmology, statecraft, mythology
• Key Myths: Nüwa repairs heaven, Chang'e and Hou Yi, creation stories
• Importance: Synthesizes Taoist, Confucian, and Legalist thought

Liezi (列子)

• Date: ~3rd-4th century CE (traditional attribution earlier)
• Content: Taoist philosophical text with fantastic stories
• Famous: Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains

Mythological Novels (Four Great Classical Novels)

Journey to the West (西遊記, Xīyóu Jì)

• Author: Wu Cheng'en (吳承恩)
• Date: 1592 CE
• Length: 100 chapters
• Plot: Monk Xuanzang's pilgrimage to India, protected by Sun Wukong (Monkey King), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), Sha Wujing (Sandy)
• Themes: Spiritual cultivation, redemption, enlightenment through tribulation
• Significance: Most famous Chinese novel, defines popular understanding of celestial bureaucracy
• Adaptations: Countless films, TV series, games (Dragon Ball inspired by Sun Wukong)

Investiture of the Gods (封神演義, Fēngshén Yǎnyì)

• Author: Xu Zhonglin (許仲琳)
• Date: ~1620 CE
• Plot: War between Shang and Zhou dynasties, mortals becoming gods
• Key Characters: Jiang Ziya, Nezha, Yang Jian (Erlang Shen)
• Significance: Chronicles how many popular deities achieved divinity

Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三國演義, Sānguó Yǎnyì)

• Author: Luo Guanzhong (羅貫中)
• Date: 14th century CE
• Content: Historicalnovel of Three Kingdoms period (220-280 CE)
• Key Figure: Guan Yu, Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Cao Cao
• Mythology: Guan Yu's deification stems from his portrayal here

Medical & Alchemical Texts

Huangdi Neijing (黃帝內經) - Yellow Emperor's Classic

• Date: ~2nd century BCE
• Content: Foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Topics: Qi, meridians, yin-yang, Five Elements in medicine

Shennong Bencao Jing (神農本草經)

• Date: ~1st century CE
• Content: Materia medica, 365 medicinal substances
• Attribution: Credited to Shennong, Divine Farmer

Baopuzi (抱朴子)

• Author: Ge Hong (葛洪)
• Date: 320 CE
• Content: Taoist alchemy, immortality elixirs, magical practices
• Significance: Key text on external alchemy (waidan)

Ghost Stories & Supernatural Tales

Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (聊齋誌異, Liáozhāi Zhìyì)

• Author: Pu Songling (蒲松齡)
• Date: 1740 CE
• Content: 491 short stories of ghosts, fox spirits, immortals
• Themes: Supernatural romance, moral lessons, social commentary
• Influence: Defines Chinese ghost story tradition

In Search of the Supernatural (搜神記, Sōushén Jì)

• Author: Gan Bao (干寶)
• Date: 4th century CE
• Content: Collection of supernatural tales and strange events