Chiyou

Chiyou
Chiyou as depicted on a tomb relief of the Han dynasty
Traditional Chinese蚩尤
Simplified Chinese蚩尤
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyinchīyóu
Wade–GilesChʻih1-yu2
IPA[ʈʂʰí.jǒʊ]
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingci1 jau4
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese/t͡ɕʰɨ ɦɨu/
Old Chinese
Zhengzhang/*tʰjɯ ɢʷɯ/

Chiyou (蚩尤; Old Chinese (ZS): *tʰjɯ-ɢʷɯ) is a mythological being that appears in Chinese mythology. He was a tribal leader of the Nine Li tribe (九黎) in ancient China.[1] He is best known as a king who lost against the future Yellow Emperor during the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors era in Chinese mythology.[1][2][3] According to the Song dynasty history book Lushi, Chiyou's surname was Jiang (姜), and he was a descendant of the Flame Emperor.[4]

Chiyou is often associated with chaos and war, earning him the status of a demon god in later mythological interpretations, especially in northern China. In some Daoist traditions, he is considered a demon or evil god representing war and violence. His image has also been used as a protective figure, especially by soldiers, who see him as a war deity capable of offering protection in battle.[5][6] Conversely, for some Hmong people, Chiyou or Txiv Yawg[7] was a sagacious mythical king.[8] He has a particularly complex and controversial ancestry, as he may fall under Dongyi[1] Miao[8] or even Man,[8] depending on the source and view.

According to legend, Chiyou had a bronze head with a distinct metal forehead.[9] He had four eyes and six arms, wielding terrible sharp weapons in every hand, similar to a description of fangxiangshi.[10] In some sources, Chiyou had certain features associated with various mythological bovines: his head was that of a bull with two horns, although the body was human, and his hindquarters were those of a bear.[10] He is said to have been unbelievably fierce, and to have had 81 brothers and many followers.[10] Historical sources often described him as 'bold leader',[4] as well as 'brave'.[11] Some sources have asserted that the figure 81 should rather be associated with 81 clans in his kingdom.[12] Chiyou knows the constellations and the ancients spells for calling upon the weather. For example, he called upon a fog to surround Huangdi and his soldiers during the Battle of Zhuolu.

  1. ^ a b c 戴逸, 龔書鐸. (2003) [2002]. 中國通史. 史前 夏 商 西周. Intelligence press. p. 32. ISBN 962-8792-80-6.
  2. ^ Lee, James (2006). James Lee Astrology guide 2006 English edition. World publishing co. p. 318. ISBN 962-432-503-0.
  3. ^ Greg Woolf (2007). Ancient civilizations: the illustrated guide to belief, mythology, and art. Barnes & Noble. p. 213. ISBN 978-1-4351-0121-0.
  4. ^ a b Luo Mi (罗泌). Lushi. 后记四：蚩尤传.
  5. ^ "Chi You 蚩尤 (chī yóu) - China Beasts and Legends". www.chinabeastsandlegends.com. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  6. ^ Theobald, Ulrich. "Chi You 蚩尤 (www.chinaknowledge.de)". www.chinaknowledge.de. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  7. ^ Hmong: Zid Yeus; Xong: Puob Youl; Laotian RPA White Hmong: Txiv Yawg /tsi ʝaɨ/
  8. ^ a b c Ya Po Cha (2010). An Introduction to Hmong Culture. McFarland. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7864-4951-4.
  9. ^ 戴逸, 龔書鐸. (2003) [2002]. 中國通史. 史前 夏 商 西周. Intelligence press. p. 32. ISBN 962-8792-80-6.
  10. ^ a b c 王恆偉. (2005) (2006) 中國歷史講堂 #1 遠古至春秋. 中華書局. ISBN 962-8885-24-3. p 11-13.
  11. ^ 司马, 迁. 史记. 五帝本纪.
  12. ^ Ya Po Cha (2010). An Introduction to Hmong Culture. McFarland. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-7864-4951-4.