Chinese mythology refers to myths found in the historical geographic area of China: these include myths

in Chinese and other languages, as transmitted by Han Chinese and other ethnic groups, which have their own
languages and myths. Along with Chinese folklore, Chinese mythology forms an important part of Chinese folk
religion.[1] Chinese mythology includes creation myths and legends, such as myths concerning the founding
of Chinese culture and the Chinese state. Chinese mythology was long believed to be, at least in part, a factual
recording of history. Thus, many stories regarding characters and events of the distant past have a double tradition:
one which presents a more historicized and one which presents a more mythological version.[2]
Historians have written evidence of Chinese mythological symbolism from the 12th century BCE in the Oracle bone
script. Legends were passed down for over a thousand years before being written in books such as Classic of
Mountains and Seas (山海經) and the Taiping Yulan. Other myths were passed down through oral traditions, such as
theater and song before being recorded as novels such as Epic of Darkness. Historical documents and philosophical
canons such as Book of Rites, Records of the Grand Historian, Book of Documents, and Lüshi Chunqiu all contain
Chinese myths.
Myth

The dragon

Chinese dragons or East Asian dragons are legendary creatures in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and East Asian culture at large. East Asian
dragons have many animal-like forms such as turtles and fish, but are most commonly depicted as snake-like with four legs. They traditionally
symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, typhoons, and floods. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength,
and good luck for people who are worthy of it in East Asian culture. During the days of Imperial China, the Emperor of China usually used the dragon
as a symbol of his imperial power and strength. Portrait of the Yongle Emperor wearing a dragon robe

In Chinese culture, excellent and outstanding people are compared to a dragon, while incapable people with no achievements are compared to other,
disesteemed creatures, such as a worm. A number of Chinese proverbs and idioms feature references to a dragon, such as "Hoping one's son will
become a dragon" (simplified Chinese: 望子成龙; traditional Chinese: 朢子成龍; pinyin: wàng zǐ chéng lóng).

The dragon

He clearly is a hero in Chinese mythology: the most powerful and divine creature, controller of the water. Dragons were the
symbol of the emperor, bringing luck and good fortune. It is said that the legendary Yellow Emperor turned into a dragon
and flew to heaven when he died.