Chinese Mythology by Anthony Christie

Front Cover Chinese Mythology
Back Cover Chinese Mythology
Image in Book Chinese Mythology
Images Chinese Mythology
Back view of dust Jacket
Dust jkacket with tear on the back
Front Cover Chinese Mythology
Back Cover Chinese Mythology
Image in Book Chinese Mythology
Images Chinese Mythology
Back view of dust Jacket
Dust jkacket with tear on the back

Chinese Mythology by Anthony Christie

A$30

Chinese Mythology by Anthony Christie

This edition of Anthony Christie’s Chinese Mythology is part of the famous “Library of the World’s Myths and Legends” series. It is highly regarded for being both a visually stunning art book and a deeply scholarly introduction to the complex spiritual world of ancient China.

Anthony Christie provides a brilliant roadmap through the chaotic and fascinating pantheon of Chinese folklore. This isn’t just a collection of stories; it’s an exploration of how these myths shaped one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations.

  • Publisher: Chancellor Press 1997 reprint

  • Format:  Hardcover 143 pages with Dust Jacket 28cm x 21cm

  • Weight: 800gms

  • ISBN- 9 781851529261

  • Condition: Dustjacket still bright and clean with a small tear on the back near the spine and general wear. Book very good condition with some yellowing on first two blank pages.

Chinese Mythology by Anthony Christie

  • The Great Creation Myths: From the cosmic egg of Pangu to the goddess Nuwa repairing the heavens with multicolored stones.
  • The Three Philosophies: An accessible look at how Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism merged to create a unique “folk religion” filled with immortals, dragons, and ghosts.
  • Breathtaking Imagery: The 2008 edition is prized for its high-quality reproductions of Chinese art, including ancient bronze work, delicate silk paintings, and intricate stone carvings that bring the legends to life.
  • Historical Context: Christie connects the myths to the real-world dynasties, explaining how Emperors used legend to justify their “Mandate of Heaven.”

Why Collectors Love It

Unlike dryer academic texts, Christie writes with a clarity that appeals to the general reader while maintaining enough depth for the serious student. It covers everything from the well-known Monkey King to the obscure bureaucratic “Gods of the Bureaucracy” who ran the afterlife like a government office.

“A masterful blend of art and storytelling. Christie manages to organize thousands of years of legend into a narrative that is as beautiful to look at as it is to read.”

Table of Contents

  • The Chinese Setting (Introduction to the geography and spirit of the land)
  • The Early Cultures (Prehistoric origins and Neolithic roots)
  • The First Historical Period (The Shang and early dynastic beliefs)
  • The Rise of Feudalism and the Unification of China (The Zhou Dynasty and the birth of the Empire)
  • The Han Consolidation (How the Han Dynasty standardized myths)
  • The Myths and Their Sources (Where these stories actually come from)
  • The Creation of the World (Pangu, Nuwa, and the cosmic egg)
  • Earth, Water, and Air (The spirits of the natural elements)
  • The Useful Arts (The Divine Husbandman and the origins of civilization)
  • Peasant Myths (Folklore from the countryside and agricultural rituals)
  • The Heavenly Empire (The Jade Emperor and the Celestial Bureaucracy)
  • Humans and Animals (Dragons, phoenixes, and shape-shifting spirits)
  • Bibliography & Index (References and a quick-find guide for specific deities)

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