The ancient Chinese had a unique perspective on nature, exemplified by the myth of Pang-Gu, which describes the birth of the universe.
Long ago, in the beginning of time, the universe was nothing but chaos and darkness. There was no sky, no earth, no mountains, no rivers, and no living creatures. It was just an immense, shapeless mass. But in this chaos, Pang-Gu existed inside an egg. He was a very hairy giant. He broke the egg with an axe in one hand, dividing the heavens and earth into yin and yang. He lifted the clean energy, or yang, into his arms, separating it from the dirty energy, or yin. Each day, as he grew, the yin and yang were separated, and the world began. Pang-Gu soon died, and from his corpse came the whole of creation. His fur became trees, and his blood became rivers. Thick fur became forests, and large blood vessels became oceans. His eyes became the sun and moon, and his muscles became fertile ground. All the universe emerged from Pang-Gu's dead body. Moreover, the human race evolved from parasites that infested Pang-Gu’s body.
There are two interesting things about this story. First, it asks the question, "Who created the heavens and the earth?" In most creation stories, an absolute being creates the heavens and the earth. With a command, mountains magically appear, skies rise, and oceans form. But in the story of Pang-Gu, there's no such thing. Everything just happened. From the dead body of Pang-Gu. Pang-Gu didn't do anything except separate the yin and yang. It's just the energy of the eruption of heaven and earth. In the Jewish Bible, God has a clear purpose for the creation of the heavens and the earth. But in the story of Pang-Gu, there is no purpose. It just happened. By accident. One day. With no beginning or end.
This is how Chinese historian Wei Enke's ancient Chinese mythology describes it.
"From the chaotic state of Panggu, chi sprouted and formed a great foundation. This was divided into yin and yang, clear and turbid, and life and death. Who actually organized it has no beginning."
"반고적 혼돈 상태에서 기가 싹터 크게 밑바탕이 되었는다. 이것이 음양으로 나뉘어 맑고 탁한 것이 이루어졌으며, 생노병사가 이루어졌다. 누가 이를 실제로 주관했으며 그 시작이 없다."
반고혼윤 기맹대박(盤古渾淪 氣萌大朴) 분음분양 위청위탁 생노병사(分陰分陽 爲淸爲濁 生老病死) 수실주지 무기시야(誰實主之 無其始也)
위엔커(袁珂) 저 / 전인초•김선자 역, 『중국고대신화』, 1992, 민음사, by Wei Enke (袁珂), translated by Jeon In-Cho and Kim Sun-ja, Ancient Chinese Mythology, 1992, Folklore Society of China
Who did create the Universe?
Who created the universe? No one did. The creation of the universe had no beginning, motive, or purpose; it just happened. Where in the world is there such a story, where the heavens and the earth just happened without any purpose? Is there any story similar to Pangu's myth, which portrays the transformation of maggots into the human race? This makes Pangu's story unique. In the Jewish Bible, humans are regarded as special as they are created in the image of God. However, the ancient Chinese likely did not think humans were different from other living entities.
This was the ancient Chinese perspective. The heavens and the earth are a product of random chance, with no goodwill or purpose, and humans are no different from other creatures. This view is similar to the modern scientific view. The representation of humans coming out of a maggot is a humorous way of portraying the fact that humans are not special, either positively or negatively. A maggot is no better or worse than a human; they are both a part of nature.
While Pangu's story is about the creation of the universe, it is believed to have been passed down by ethnic minorities from the 3rd to the 6th century(https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pan-Gu). This naturalistic view of the world separates humans from the gods. If we and nature are not creations of God and do not have a purpose given to us by God, then there is no need to pray to God. As a result, the Chinese people choose to live by observing nature and following its laws. This unique idea likely reflects the scientific philosophy and perspective of the ancient Chinese people.
- Hyungsuk Choi, PHD