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Illustration from the
Complete Classics Collection of Ancient China
(early 18th century)
Stone carving at the
Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
, with inscription "Kua Fu Chases the Sun"
Kuafu
(
Chinese
:
?父
) is a
giant
in
Chinese mythology
who wished to capture the Sun.
[3]
He was a grandson of
Houtu
.
[4]
Story
[
edit
]
One day, Kuafu decided to chase and catch the Sun. He followed the Sun from the East to the West, draining the
Yellow River
and the
Wei River
(all rivers and lakes crossing his path) to quench his burning thirst. However, the big rivers were also unable to quench his thirst, and as he searched for more water, he eventually died of
dehydration
. The wooden club he was carrying grew into a vast forest of peach trees called the Deng Forest (
鄧林
).
[5]
In one version, Kuafu turns into a mountain range.
[6]
This mountain range and the peach forest are said to be located in present day
Lingbao
.
[7]
In modern Chinese usage, the story of Kuafu chasing the Sun (
?父追日
) is used to describe a person who is brave and optimistic and willing to overcome all the obstacles to reach the goal.
Tribe
[
edit
]
"Kuafu" can also be taken to refer to his people, the Kuafu-shi (
?父氏
) or "Clan of Kuafu". Since "shi" can mean both "clan" and "maiden name", as well as serving as a masculine honorific like "mister" or "sir", it is sometimes used in reference to his people or the individual.
During the
battle of Banquan
,
Chi You
's tribes allied themselves with the Kuafu tribe and the
Sanmiao
(
三苗
) tribe and attacked the Yan Emperor's tribe, driving them into the lands of the Yellow Emperor.
See also
[
edit
]
- Icarus
, comparative character in Greek mythology
- Kuafu project
, Chinese space program named after Kuafu
References
[
edit
]
- Yang, Lihui,
et al.
(2005).
Handbook of Chinese Mythology
. New York: Oxford University Press.
ISBN
978-0-19-533263-6
Notes
[
edit
]
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Overview topics
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Major personages
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Mythological creatures
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Other folk tales
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