Kuafu
| Kuafu | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chinese | Khoa Phụ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | Handsome Father[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Kuafu(Chinese:Khoa Phụ) is agiantinChinese mythologywho wished to capture the Sun.[3]He was a grandson ofHoutu.[4]
Story[edit]
One day, Kuafu decided to chase and catch the Sun. He followed the Sun from the East to the West, draining theYellow Riverand theWei River(all rivers and lakes crossing his path) to quench his burning thirst. However, the big rivers were also unable to quench his thirst, and as he searched for more water, he eventually died ofdehydration.The wooden club he was carrying grew into a vast forest of peach trees called the Deng Forest (Đặng lâm).[5]
In one version, Kuafu turns into a mountain range.[6]This mountain range and the peach forest are said to be located in present dayLingbao.[7]
In modern Chinese usage, the story of Kuafu chasing the Sun (Khoa Phụ đuổi mặt trời) is used to describe a person who is brave and optimistic and willing to overcome all the obstacles to reach the goal.
Tribe[edit]
"Kuafu" can also be taken to refer to his people, the Kuafu-shi (Khoa Phụ thị) or "Clan of Kuafu". Since "shi" can mean both "clan" and "maiden name", as well as serving as a masculine honorific like "mister" or "sir", it is sometimes used in reference to his people or the individual.
During thebattle of Banquan,Chi You's tribes allied themselves with the Kuafu tribe and theSanmiao(Tam mầm) tribe and attacked the Yan Emperor's tribe, driving them into the lands of the Yellow Emperor.
See also[edit]
- Icarus,comparative character in Greek mythology
- Kuafu project,Chinese space program named after Kuafu
References[edit]
- Yang, Lihui,et al.(2005).Handbook of Chinese Mythology.New York: Oxford University Press.ISBN978-0-19-533263-6
Notes[edit]
- ^Yang, 154
- ^Richard E. Strassberg (translator). (2018)A Chinese Bestiary: Strange Creatures from the Guideways through Mountains and Seas1st edition. p. 266
- ^"Chinese Myth".Archived fromthe originalon 2007-01-01.Retrieved2007-05-25.
- ^Yang, 155 and 263
- ^Summary of the story given in the definition ofKhoa Phụ đuổi mặt trờiinHiện đại Hán ngữ từ điển ( thứ bảy bản )[A Dictionary of Current Chinese (Seventh Edition)].Bắc Kinh.(Beijing):Thương vụ ấn thư quán.(The Commercial Press.). 1 September 2016. pp. 513, 755.ISBN978-7-100-12450-8.
- ^Friedman, Amy; Johnson, Meredith (2014-07-20)."Kua Fu Chases the Sun (A Chinese Folktale)".uexpress.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-07-28.Retrieved2014-07-20.
- ^"Tall tale of a giant's quest to catch the sun".SHINE.Retrieved2024-03-01.