Chinese Mythology

Visit the links to learn about Chinese myths related to objects in the sky, the Earth, and aspects of their world.

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In ancient times, Chinese people believed that there were twelve Moons as there were twelve months in one year. It was believed that the Moons were made of water. The name "mother of moons" is associated with that of <a href="/mythology/moon_china.html&edu=elem&dev=1/earth/Atmosphere/moons/=/earth/climate/cli_greengas.html">Heng-o</a>. This image shows the detail of an eighteen-century embroidered emperor's robe including a white hare, which was believed to have lived in the moon.<p><small><em>Image courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.</em></small></p>

Explore Chinese Mythology

The Ten Suns

According to ancient Chinese mythology, there existed ten suns that used to appear in turn ...Read more

The Moon: Heng-O

In ancient times, Chinese people thought there were twelve Moons for the twelve months in one ...Read more

The Creation: Pan-Ku

Chinese people thought the universe had the shape of a chicken's egg. After 18,000 years. the ...Read more

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Did you know?

Did you know that mica minerals make some rocks sparkle? They also may have been the place where life first formed at the bottom of an ancient sea!

Did you know that early Chinese believed that there were ten suns that appeared each day in the sky during the ten-day Chinese week?

 

Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day

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Lahar
xLahar : A mudflow or landslide composed of pyroclastic material and water that flows down from a volcano, typically along a river valley. Lahars can be huge, fast, and deadly.

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Research Highlights

Caribbean Coral Reef Protection Efforts Miss the Mark

Corals in the Caribbean are threatened by global warming and climate change. Most of the efforts to conserve corals in this area have focused on the most diverse corals in the center of the Caribbean....Read more


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