Crane in Chinese mythology

Bamboo and Cranes, by Bian Jingzhao

Cranes are an important motif in Chinese mythology. There are various myths involving cranes, and in Chinese mythology cranes are generally symbolically connected with the idea of immortality (d, 1983: 75-76). Chinese mythology refers to those myths found in the historical geographic area of China. The geographic area of "China" is of course a concept which has evolved of changed through history. Cranes in Chinese mythology include myths in Chinese and other languages, as transmitted by Han Chinese as well as other ethnic groups (of which fifty-six are officially recognized by the current administration of China). (Yang 2005:4) The motifs of cranes may vary in a range from reference to real cranes (such as the red-crowned crane) to referring to transformed Taoist immortals (xian), who sometimes were said to have magical abilities to transform into cranes in order to fly on various journeys.

See also

• Bigu (avoiding grains), on use of crane bone marrow in a wugu immortality recipe
• Chinese folklore, for general information on Chinese folklore
• Chinese folk religion, for general information on Chinese folk religion
• Chinese literature, for general information on Chinese literature
• Crane (bird), for general information on the cranes (Gruidae clade)
• Fujian White Crane, on a martial art style based on traditional ideas of the movements of cranes
• The Legend and the Hero, a cinematographic portrayal of the Fengshen Yanyi, with the White Crane Boy character from mythology
• Red-crowned crane, a large east Asian crane, important in mythology and symbolism
• South-pointing chariot, on an ancient technological device portraying associated cranes, tortoises, and xian (Taoist immortals)
• Xian (Taoism), on the Taoist immortals, who were closely associated with cranes, in various ways
• Yellow Crane Tower, on a series of structures of symbolic interest and in Chinese poetry

References

• Christie, Anthony (1968). Chinese Mythology. Feltham: Hamlyn Publishing. ISBN 0600006379.
• Eberhard, Wolfram (2003 [1986 (German version 1983)]), A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols: Hidden Symbols in Chinese Life and Thought. London, New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-00228-1
• Yang, Lihui, et al. (2005). Handbook of Chinese Mythology. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-533263-6