Nuwa 女媧

The divine mother of chinese mythology

In the ancient times when the world was still young, there lived a divine being named Nuwa. She had the head and torso of a beautiful woman and the body of a serpent, symbolizing her connection to both heaven and earth. Nuwa roamed the vast, silent world alone, surrounded by mountains, rivers, and forests, yet she felt a deep loneliness in her heart.

One day, as she sat by a clear river, she gazed at her reflection and thought, “What if there were others who could share this world with me?” Inspired, she scooped up yellow clay from the riverbank and began to mold figures in her own image. She crafted small humans, delicate and full of life, and breathed into them the essence of existence. To her joy, they came alive, laughing and playing along the river’s edge. Pleased with her creations, Nuwa continued shaping more figures, filling the world with people who brought warmth and laughter to the land.

For a time, the world flourished. The sun shone brightly, the rivers flowed gently, and the people lived in harmony. But calamity struck when the mighty water god Gong Gong, in a fit of anger after losing a battle, smashed his head against Mount Buzhou, one of the pillars supporting the sky. The pillar collapsed, causing the sky to tilt and tear apart. Fires blazed uncontrollably, floods swept over the lands, and fierce beasts roamed freely, threatening all life.

Hearing the cries of despair from her creations, Nuwa was filled with compassion. Determined to save them, she embarked on a quest to mend the broken sky. She gathered stones of five different colors—red, yellow, blue, white, and black—and melted them together to create a magical substance. With great effort, she used this to patch the holes in the sky, restoring its stability. To replace the fallen pillar, she slayed a giant tortoise and used its legs to support the four corners of the heavens.

Nuwa then fought and defeated the rampaging beasts, calming the fires and controlling the floods. Exhausted from her labors, she looked upon the restored world and saw that harmony had returned. The people were safe once more, and the balance between heaven and earth was restored. Satisfied, Nuwa retreated to the mountains, her spirit forever watching over the world she loved.

Analysis

The legend of Nuwa is deeply embedded in Chinese mythology and offers rich insights into ancient Chinese philosophy and cosmology. Nuwa’s creation of humans from clay reflects the belief in humanity’s intrinsic connection to the earth. This theme is echoed in the Huainanzi, an ancient Chinese text, which states: “The myriad things are one with the earth; humans are born from the essence of heaven and earth.”

Nuwa’s dual form, combining human and serpent features, symbolizes the harmony of opposing forces. The concept of yin and yang is central to Chinese thought, representing balance in the universe. The I Ching (Book of Changes) explains: “When yin and yang are harmonized, the ten thousand things are born.” Nuwa embodies this balance, uniting the celestial and the terrestrial.

Her act of repairing the sky with five-colored stones signifies the use of the five elements (wu xing)—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—which are fundamental in Chinese philosophy for understanding the natural world’s interactions. The philosopher Zhuangzi wrote: “Heaven and earth were born together with me, and the ten thousand things and I are one.” This highlights the interconnectedness that Nuwa restores through her actions.

The sacrifice of the giant tortoise to support the heavens underscores themes of duty and selflessness. In the Analects, Confucius teaches: “The humane person, desiring to be established themselves, seeks also to establish others.” Nuwa’s willingness to go to great lengths for the sake of humanity reflects this virtue of benevolence.

Laozi’s Tao Te Ching offers further insight into Nuwa’s character. It says: “The greatest virtue is to follow the Tao and the Tao alone.” Nuwa’s alignment with the Tao—the natural way—allows her to restore harmony without seeking personal gain or recognition.

From a psychological perspective, Carl Jung’s concept of archetypes can be applied to Nuwa’s story. The “Great Mother” archetype represents creation, nurturing, and the cycle of life and death. Jung observed: “The mother archetype appears under an almost infinite variety of aspects.” Nuwa fits this archetype as she both creates life and restores cosmic order.

Joseph Campbell, in his exploration of global myths, noted the universal patterns that resonate across cultures. In The Hero with a Thousand Faces, he wrote: “Myth is the secret opening through which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into human manifestation.” Nuwa’s journey mirrors the archetypal hero’s quest, overcoming great obstacles to bring balance to the world.

The legend also reflects Taoist themes of harmony between humans and nature. The Zhuangzi states: “Heaven, earth, and I live together, and all things and I form an inseparable unity.” Nuwa’s efforts to mend the sky and restore order highlight the importance of this unity and the impact one being can have on the entire cosmos.

The legend emphasizes the significance of balance, the interconnectedness of all things, and the virtues of compassion and selflessness. These timeless themes continue to inspire and offer wisdom for navigating the complexities of the modern world.