The Mythographist: Recent Episodes
Jaer Christie
Welcome to The Mythographist! I’m Jaer Christie, and I'll be taking you on a tour of living folktales, myths and legends from cultures around the globe — the stories that everyone knows, but you’ve never heard of, the stories that shape how entire societies see the world.
Our first series explores the myths of Mainland China, where I lived for six years. During my time there, I asked a bunch of people a lot of questions about the stories they'd grown up with - and ended up peering into a world full of stories I'd never imagined.
Forbidden love, gender bending, deception, vows, humor, heartbreak, mystical transformations — while I can’t say that every great story has to have these four elements, they’re certainly prevalent in a lot of the stories we hold in high regard in the West, from Shakespeare to Bugs Bunny.
Of course, these elements aren’t bound by culture; they’re part of the human experience, and this week, we’ll look at another of China’s Four Great Folktales, which just so happens to feature all of these: the story of Zhu Yingtai and Liang Shanbo. In my experience, it’s one of the most beloved and frequently referenced stories in China, with all the suspense and drama you could hope for.
Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden stories that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.
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Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"The Night" and "Dancing Abroad" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License CC BY 4.0 - https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
"An Autumn Moon Over the Han Palace" and "High Mountains, Running Rivers" from the collection The Essence of Famous Chinese Folk Music, used under CC fair use
Even if you don’t know anything else about China, if you’re listening to this podcast, you’ve most likely heard of the Great Wall. It’s often cited as one of the wonders of the world, and not without reason — it is genuinely a marvel of human workmanship.
Like any structure of this scale, though, the Great Wall’s construction was not without human cost, and this echoes through the pages of history and cultural memory. Today, we’ll look at a widely-known story that tells of one woman’s relationship with the Great Wall — one of China’s Four Great Folktales.
Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden stories that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.
_______________________
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License CC BY 4.0 - https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
"River Water," "Lament at Chang Gate," and "Lament" from the collection The Essence of Famous Chinese Folk Music, used under CC fair use.
This coming week, people all across Mainland China celebrate Duanwu, a holiday known here in the West as Dragon Boat Festival. They eat zongzi — little pyramid-shaped snacks made of glutinous rice, stuffed with something sweet or savory and wrapped in bamboo leaves. But the origin of this holiday is a little bit darker than the tasty food might lead you to believe.
Last week, we looked at Questions of Heaven, a poem that seems to be one royal advisor’s expression of frustration of with his king, who appeared intent on sabotaging himself and the nation he was supposed to be ruling. This week, we hear the rest of that story, the widely-held origin of the holiday, and of the traditional snack zongzi.
Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.
___________________
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" & "The Night" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License CC BY 4.0 - https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
"Birdsong in the Tranquil Valley," "Almond Blossom in the Sky," and "Lament at Chang Gate" from the collection The Essence of Famous Chinese Folk Music, used under CC fair use.
Today, we’re looking at the story behind a poem. But don’t skip this episode just yet, because this Chinese poem from two thousand years ago is unique — and uniquely relevant to this podcast — in that it tells us about the myths and legends that were important to the poet’s audience, in a very particular style, for a very particular purpose. And the way it does that — well, you’ll hear all about it.
Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.
___________________
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" & "The Night" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License CC BY 4.0 - https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
"Lament" and "The Autumn Moon on a Placid Lake" from the collection The Essence of Famous Chinese Folk Music, used under CC fair use.
Last week, we witnessed Gun, along with his friends the tortoise and the swallow, steal xirang, a magical living soil, from the heavenly realms in order to stop a cataclysmic flood — only to be struck down by the Supreme Divinity, along with all they worked to build.
This week, the second half of the story: the struggle for survival against the unforgiving elements, continued by Yu as he works to control the waters.
Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.
_______________________________
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" & "The Night" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License CC BY 4.0 - https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
"Guangling Song" and "An Autumn Moon Over the Han Palace" from the collection The Essence of Famous Chinese Folk Music, used under CC fair use.
Imagine the worst rain you’ve ever seen, and imagine that lasting for weeks, months, even years. Cultures around the world tell stories like this — flood myths, we call them, and we’ve looked at a few from China already. This week and next week, though, we’ll cover another one, possibly the most important: the story of a flood, a supernatural heist, and incredible dedication to the people and the nation.
Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.
_______________________________
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" & "The Night" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License CC BY 4.0 - https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
"River Water," "Flowing Water," and "Yangguan Pass" from the collection The Essence of Famous Chinese Folk Music, used under CC fair use.
War is an ugly thing — blood, pain, and loss are inevitably bound up on both sides of any conflict, in any era. But, as we know, humans are experts at making anything into a story, and fighting is no exception. The Trojan War; the three hundred Spartans at Thermopylae; the Normandy landing in the Second World War; Hannibal’s defeat — our history books and entertainment alike are filled with dramatic portrayals of pivotal moments, legendary battles, epic wars, mighty heroes and their heroic deeds.
China certainly has its share of important battles in its nearly four millennia of recorded history. But today’s story goes even farther back than that, though, reaching into foggy pre-history to the founding of China’s legendary first dynasty, the Xia. In today’s episode, Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor, faces off against the fearsome warlord Chiyou, in a harrowing battle that will set the course of a nation for thousands of years to come.
Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.
_______________________________
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" & "The Night" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License CC BY 4.0 - https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
"The Emperor of Qin Inspects His Troops" and "By the Dressing Table" from the collection The Essence of Famous Chinese Folk Music, used under CC fair use.
What gives a leader their power? The answer to that question is, ultimately, “the people following them” — a sentiment that's been expressed as “the consent of the governed,” however that consent might be gained. So, if you’re a monarch, what’s one of the most important things you can do to stay king? You have to convince the people that you’re the best person for the job. And, as with so many other situations, one of the most effective ways of doing that is with stories.
In European cultures, it’s often called the “divine right of kings,” and in dynastic China, a very similar concept was called “tianming,” literally, “the heavenly mandate.” This episode's story, which was probably used to show just that, tells of Huang Di, the ruler who began to unify ancient China, and his life-changing encounter with the supernatural Baize.
Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" & "The Night" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License CC BY 4.0 - https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
"Night Rain on the Banana Leaves," "Guangling Song," and "Lament at Chang Gate" from the collection The Essence of Famous Chinese Folk Music, used under CC fair use.
Have you ever been so mad at something that you decided you wanted to kill it? Has that thing ever been the ocean? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then you have a lot in common with the daughter of Yan Di, China’s Flame Emperor. This week, we look at what I believe is one of the most important Chinese myths, and its genuinely surprising moral implications.
Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on this episode of The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China, Jingwei and the Sea.
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" & "The Night" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License CC BY 4.0 - (https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)
"High Mountains, Running Rivers" from the collection The Essence of Famous Chinese Folk Music, used under CC fair use.
Last week, we began the story of Erlang Shen, the vagrant boy who tamed the dog that tried to eat the sun and, with his sister, was adopted by the mystic Yuding Zhenren. After many years of studying with the master, he reveals to them that their mother was a goddess who came to earth and suffered a mortal wound defending humankind from a terrible dragon.
And this week, we complete that story, and learn why Erlang Shen is held in such high esteem as a model son. Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" & "The Night" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License CC BY 4.0 - (https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)
"Peony Khan" by China National Orchestra, used under CC fair use.
This past week, on April 5, Mainland China celebrated Qingming Festival, which, although its name simply translates to “clear and bright holiday,” in English goes by the name “Tomb Sweeping Day.” That may conjure images of ghosts and graves, but in actuality it’s traditionally a day that comes from a long history of showing respect and deference to your ancestors and family.
In keeping with that theme, in a special two-part story, this week and next week on the Mythographist, we’ll look at the legend of a young man who is revered as being a very filial son — one who did everything right when it comes to respecting your family: Erlang Shen.
Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License CC BY 4.0 - (https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)
"Dance in the Moon," "Songs of Fishing Boats at Dusk," and "Homesick Melody" by China National Orchestra, used under CC fair use.
What makes you feel safe? Physical safety is one of our most fundamental needs, and generally speaking, we’re a lot safer now than we were a thousand years ago — most of us aren’t worrying about things like dirty water, disease, wild animal attacks, and the elements. But just as important as physical safety is emotional safety, the feeling of security that gives us peace of mind, and when it comes to feeling safe, something that’s often just as important as actual physical safety is the symbols we put stock in, the ideas that help us feel safe, secure, and comfortable.
Today, we’ll look at two pairs of symbols that, although they date back over a thousand years, are still a common sight all over modern China: the door gods and stone lions. Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" and "The Night" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License CC BY 4.0 - (https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)
"Spring by Lakeside," "A Flower is Not a Flower," and "Peony Khan" by China National Orchestra, used under CC fair use.
Exiled from civilized lands by Shun, the last sage king; feared by many for the curses that follow them, the Four Foul Fiends are wicked beasts, harbingers of times of darkness and vice, heeding the wishes of evildoers and spiteful toward the righteous. Beware of them, for exiled though they may be, what power has law over the lawless?
Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China. This week, we come face to face with four creatures with evil reputations: the taotie (the monster in The Great Wall), the qiongqi, the hundun (Morris in Marvel's Shang Chi), and the taowu.
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"A Flower is Not a Flower" and "Peony Khan" by China National Orchestra, used under CC fair use.
This week on the Mythographist, we look at three stories that all make up parts of the most important flood myth in Chinese culture: the legend of Gonggong's fight against Zhuanxu; the story of how the goddess Nüwa fixed the hole in the sky; and the folktale of a brother and sister who survive a flood. This story is the basis for the 2021 Immortals: Fenyx Rising video game expansion, Myths of the Eastern Realm, and is one of the most well-known legends in all of Mainland China.
Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on The Mythographist.
*Late release this week as my town was without electricity this weekend! :D*
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" by Shaoqing Luna Li via https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
"Homesick Melody" and "Dance in the Moon" by China National Orchestra, used under CC fair use.
What are the laws that govern the foundations of the universe? And what mysteries pass us by, day after day, perceived yet unknown and unseen by mere mortals like ourselves? The truth is deeper than we may ever grasp, but let us give names to the forces that we feel, that we might see the many shapes they take and better know them.
In this episode, we look at the Four Constellations, a group of foundationally important symbols in the folklore and mythology of Mainland China: the Qing Dragon, the Vermillion Bird, the White Tiger, and the Black Tortoise. Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on The Mythographist.
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" by Shaoqing Luna Li via https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
"Orchid in Spring" by China National Orchestra, used under CC fair use.
All things must begin somewhere, but where did the world come from? All people have been born, but where did the first people come from? These are the questions we have asked since the dawn of humanity, and answered with stories. These are the tales of the first things, and how they came to be.
In this episode, we look at two of China's myths of creation: Pangu and the Creation of the Universe, and Fuxi & Nüwa Create People.
Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on the Mythographist. Season one: The Myths of Mainland China.
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music:
"Dancing Abroad" by Shaoqing Luna Li via https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
"Roseate Clouds Chasing the Moon" and "The Love of My Land" by China National Orchestra, used under CC.
Near or far, wherever you may travel, whether upon the earth, through the skies, or over the seas, you will find creatures of strange forms and abilities. So in the heavens, too, are beasts of many different kinds. The Qilin, the Fenghuang, the Gui, and the Pixiu are creatures of mystical attributes that roam the skies and wild lands, heralds of luck, sought by kings and the wise and upright. May knowledge of them prepare you for what tidings and blessings follow in their wake, should you be fortunate enough to see one.
On this episode of The Mythographist, we answer questions like, "which one of these magical animals would make the best pet?" and, "why doesn't the pixiu poop out all the treasure he eats?"
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music: "Dancing Abroad" by Shaoqing Luna Li - all via https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Kings and warriors, epic battles and impossible challenges — these are, quite literally, the stuff of legend, and that’s where we’re going on today’s episode of the Mythographist. We’ll look at two stories that lie just past the misty edge of recorded history, set well over four thousand years ago, when China was just beginning to coalesce into a single nation-state: The story of Xing Tian, and the legend of the unstoppable, singleminded giant, Kuafu.
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music by Shaoqing Luna Li - all via https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
Desert Liaison
The Night
Dancing Abroad
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
In China, Spring Festival begins with Lunar New Year, when everybody frightens the monster Nianshou away, and lasts for the next two weeks. During that time, red lanterns are hung, riddles are written, and soup with balls of sticky rice is made, culminating on Lantern Festival, the final day of the festival, where dragons dance in the streets and paper lanterns are sent up into the sky, carrying wishes to heaven like little hot air balloons. This week, we’ll look at one of the many stories on how Lantern Festival came to be.
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music by Shaoqing Luna Li - all via https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
Dancing Abroad
A Lost Map of Heaven
The Night
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Even if you don’t care about astrology, odds are pretty good that you know your star sign — I’m a Gemini, which is twins, and Ocho the cat, my co-producer, is a Cancer, the crab. But you may have heard that we just entered the Year of the Rabbit, which is part of the shengxiao, or Chinese zodiac. Based on a twelve-year cycle that’s related to the lunar calendar, the Chinese zodiac and its relatives are increasingly common in Western culture. If you’ve heard of it, you probably know that a different animal represents each year — but did you know that behind that series of twelve animals is a legend of an ancient competition? This week, we’ll take a look at the story of the Zodiac Race.
Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music by Shaoqing Luna Li - all via https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
Dancing Abroad
Desert Liaison
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Lunar new year is the start of a new annual lunar cycle,and it’s celebrated all throughout Asia, from Mongolia to Vietnam. It’s the focus of countless traditions, practices, and folktales that are familiar to literally billions of people, but are almost unknown in Western cultures. So today on The Mythographist, I want to take you to China, where the lunar new year celebration, called Spring Festival, lasts for two weeks, and tell you the story of a chase that happens every New Year — the story of the monster, Nianshou.
Written, narrated and produced by Jaer Christie
Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung
Music by Shaoqing Luna Li - all via https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music
The Night
A Lost Map of Heaven
Desert Liaison
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license