A comparative study of mythological realms and animals within Chinese and Greek mythologies

Abstract

Nature played an important role in shaping the mythologies of any civilisation. Although the mythologies and beliefs of ancient China and Greece developed independently from one another, similarities within certain elements can still be observed. The purpose of this study is to analyse how the Chinese and Greek people interacted with mythology and how they recorded their narratives, to compare their beliefs with regards to their view on the surrounding landscape and fauna, and the influence such views held on their narratives, as well touching upon the influence of Greek mythology in modern China, and the relevance of mythology in the world today. This study was carried out through reading and analysis of various academic books and articles on the subject of mythology, history, geography, and philosophy of China and Greece, with a focus on the significance of landscape features and animal figures, in order to connect similar notions of beliefs amid sources. The study shows that there are certain motifs that appear in both Chinese and Greek mythology, such as the connection between mountains and the immortal gods, and the subdivisions of the underworld, but further research can be carried out in order to delve deeper into the subject and compare other aspects of Chinese and Greek mythologies.