Four Chinese Folk Legends _Throughout Chinese history, there are many great lengends revealing the agricultural society. _They existed in oral tradition long before any writen compilation. _Some have been presented in a number of major Chinese operas, films and television series. _Among them, the most famous ones are: Lady Meng Jiang Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai The Weaving-girl and the Cowherd Legend of the White-snake

孟姜女 Lady Meng Jiang

Traditional Beliefs: The role of a woman: before marriage, after marriage The role of a man: an ordinary man, an emperor The mythical number: 3 The magic animals: swallow, crow, fish The Great Wall Key Figures: Lady Mengjiang Emperor Shihuang

梁山伯与祝英台 Butterfly Lovers: Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai Chinese Romeo and Juliet

Traditional beliefs: Sworn brothers Annual village fair Arranged marriage A matchmaker The magic animals: mandarin ducks, goose Buddhist impact: Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy Reincarnation Key Figures: Liang Shanbo Zhu Yingtai

牛郎织女 Altair and Vega: The Weaving-girl and the Cowherd

Traditional Beliefs: An ideal family with two children: a boy and a daughter 好 A balanced family: husband, outside, woman, inside Family rule: divide family property The 7th day of the 7th lunar month: Chinese Valentine’s Day Taoist impact: The Queen Mother of the Western Heaven Mortals vs. immortals

白蛇传 Legend of the White-snake

Chinese Festivals: Pure Brightness Festival Dragon Boat Festival Key Figures: Xu Xian Bai Niangzi Xiao Qing Fa Hai in a crab Yue Lao Famous Places: The West Lake The Broken Bridge Jinshan Temple, Leifeng Pagoda Folk customs: One month celebration

Thank you! Lei Ma Chinese Deputy Director The William and Mary Confucius Institute lma@wm.edu