One main purpose of mythology is to provide explanation and origin to natural phenomenon. This function served to explain unknown concepts considering the lack of technology and scientific reasoning. This function also provided significance to the phenomenon because it connects anomalies to important divine beings from specific traditions. The myths, Nu Kua Marries Her Brother and Izanagi and Izanami focuses on explaining creation achieved by celestial beings from ancient Chinese and Japanese traditions. Nu Kua Marries Her Brother focuses on explaining the creation of humanity through the marriage of siblings. The myth also presents ideal gender roles, emphasizing Nu Kua’s role as a female divinity. Additionally the ancient Chinese myth demonstrates
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In Chinese Mythology: An Introduction the author Anne Birrell states that in the myth, “the goddess [Nu Kua] has been demoted from primal creatix to a mortal subservient to God in Heaven (T’ien, and also a lowly female subservient to the male, in the traditional manner of marital relations” (ICM, 34). This is because Nu Kua has another myth, Nuwa Molding Mud, where she is a Great Mother that makes human beings by herself with yellow clay (Lecture, Day 18, Slide 23). Nu Kua demotion of a serpent goddess can be seen through the visual depictions created of her, where she is later represented as an elegant goddess (Lecture, 10/28/15). This changes her focus on being more elegant and feminine, prior to her previous depictions, and creating ideal examples of femininity through her. In Izanagi and Izanami they specifically have gender roles within the myth. Their first attempt to conceive was stated to have gone wrong because Izanami has spoken first, even heaven’s spirits proclaimed that “Things did not go well because the woman spoke first” (K, 10). This implies that between the couple, the male figure should be the one to initiate action between them and also make choices for them as a couple. Towards the end of Izanagi and Izanami, Izanami dies from giving birth to “the spirit Flickering Elder” (K, 13). Grief stricken, Izanagi goes to the Underworld in attempt to reunite with his sister. She explains that she cannot leave unless she asks permission from the spirit of the underworld. She proclaims her to husband, “…beloved brother, my mighty one, the sight of you entering here fills me with awe and makes yearn to return with you. I will speak for a while with the spirits of this land. In the meantime, do not look at me!” (K, 14- 15). This means that as a husband, Izanagi should have loyalty and trust towards his wife’s request.
In Chinese Mythology: An Introduction the author Anne Birrell states that in the myth, “the goddess [Nu Kua] has been demoted from primal creatix to a mortal subservient to God in Heaven (T’ien, and also a lowly female subservient to the male, in the traditional manner of marital relations” (ICM, 34). This is because Nu Kua has another myth, Nuwa Molding Mud, where she is a Great Mother that makes human beings by herself with yellow clay (Lecture, Day 18, Slide 23). Nu Kua demotion of a serpent goddess can be seen through the visual depictions created of her, where she is later represented as an elegant goddess (Lecture, 10/28/15). This changes her focus on being more elegant and feminine, prior to her previous depictions, and creating ideal examples of femininity through her. In Izanagi and Izanami they specifically have gender roles within the myth. Their first attempt to conceive was stated to have gone wrong because Izanami has spoken first, even heaven’s spirits proclaimed that “Things did not go well because the woman spoke first” (K, 10). This implies that between the couple, the male figure should be the one to initiate action between them and also make choices for them as a couple. Towards the end of Izanagi and Izanami, Izanami dies from giving birth to “the spirit Flickering Elder” (K, 13). Grief stricken, Izanagi goes to the Underworld in attempt to reunite with his sister. She explains that she cannot leave unless she asks permission from the spirit of the underworld. She proclaims her to husband, “…beloved brother, my mighty one, the sight of you entering here fills me with awe and makes yearn to return with you. I will speak for a while with the spirits of this land. In the meantime, do not look at me!” (K, 14- 15). This means that as a husband, Izanagi should have loyalty and trust towards his wife’s request.