Nuwa Mends The Sky With Melted Rocks In Chinese Legend
In ancient times, the four corners of the sky collapsed and the world with its nine regions split open. The sky could not cover all the things under it, nor could the earth carry all the things on it. A great fire raged and would not die out; a fierce flood raced about and could not be checked; savage beasts devoured innocent people, and vicious birds preyed on the weak and old.
The Nuwa melted rocks of five colors and used them to mend the cracks in the sky. She supported the four corners of the sky with legs which she had cut off a giant turtle. She killed the black dragon to save the people of Jizhou, and blocked the floods with the ashes of reeds. Thus the sky was mended, its four corners lifted, the flood tamed, Jizhou pacified, harmful birds and beasts killed, and the innocent people were able to live on the square earth under the dome of the sky. It was the time when birds, beasts, insects and snakes no longer used their claws or teeth or poisonous sting, for they did not want to catch or eat weaker things.
Nuwa's deeds benefited the heavens above and the earth below. Her name was remembered by later generations and her light shone on every creation. Now she was traveling on a thunder-chariot drawn by a two winged dragon and two green hornless dragons, with auspicious objects in her hands and a special mattress underneath her. She was surrounded by golden clouds, a white dragon leading the way and a flying snake following behind.
Floating freely over the clouds, she took ghosts and gods to the ninth heaven and had an audience with the Heavenly Emperor at Lin Men, where she rested in peace and dignity under the Emperor. She never boasted of her achievements, nor did she try to win any renown; she wanted to conceal her virtues, in line with the ways of the universe.
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Finally, here is a translation of a Chinese Song sent to me by my friend Zhong Ri Sheng of Guangxi Province.
Zhun Shi Hao leaves his family and friends,
Works hard to earn a living,
His life is like an actor's,
His face does not show the feelings of his heart and mind.
Rice wine is his comfort to sleep,
He thinks of the brave sailors,
Fighting through wind and rain.
In his half-sleep he hears the sailors say,
"This heartache does not matter,
Don't fear for the future,
At least we can still have our dreams."
Zhun Shi Hao wipes away his tears.
Don't ask why !
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