作者认为，中国古代神话传说主要是以华夏族神话传说为中心，吸收了部分东夷、苗蛮的神话传说而逐步形成的。本书将散见于各种中国古代典籍中的资料加以整合，把情节相关的神话传说安排在适合的位置，形成一个符合一般神话叙事秩序的体系，方便读者从整体上把握中国丰富的神话传说。本书在爬梳史料、整合故事、搭建架构等方面颇见功力和用心。在某些章节，还将西方神话(尤其是希腊神话)与中国神话传说加以对照解说。

本书内容丰富，文笔流畅，读来令人愉悦，能使读者感受到中国神话传说的艺术魅力，并帮助读者更深入地了解中国传统文化精神。

Preface 1

The Origin of the Universe 5

  I. Chaos 6

  II. The Beginning of the World 6

The Origin of Mankind 9

  I. The Image of Nvwa 110

  II. The Creator of Human Beings 10

  III. Nvwa Mendingthe Heaven 11

  IV. Nvwa and Marriage 14

  V. The End of Niiwa 16

Universe in Myth 17

  I. The Heaven and Earth 18

  II. Ten Suns and Twelve Moons 20

  III. Mount Kunlun, City of Deities on Earth 22

  IV. Deities' World in the Sea 26

  V. Capital of Ghost and Taodu Mountain 28

Fuxi, the God of East Heaven 31

  I. The Birth of Fuxi 32

  II. Fuxi and Nfiwa: Human Creator and Goddess of Marriage 33

  III. Cultural Civilization of Fuxi 37

  IV. Fuxi, the God of East Heaven 41

Yandi, the God of South Heaven 43

  I. The Contribution of Emperor Yandi 44

  II. Later Generations of Emperor Yandi 47

  III. Chaos in the Emperor Yandi's Era 50

Emperor Huangdi, the God of Central Heaven 51

  I. The Birth of Emperor Huangdi 52

  II. The War Between Emperor Huangdi and Emperor Yandi 52

  III. War Between Emperor Huangdi and Chiyou 53

  IV. Xingtian Scrambles for the Throne 60

  V. Daily Life of the Central God Huangdi 62

  VI. Contributions of Emperor Huangdi and His Subordinates 64

Shaohao, the God of West Heaven And Zhuanxu ,the

God of North Heaven 71

  I. Shaohao in Chinese Myth 72

  II. Birth of Zhuanxu 76

  III. Cutting off the Link Between Heaven and Earth 78

  IV. War Between Zhuanxu and Gonggong 79

  V. The Origin of the Mengshuangshi Tribe 81

  VI. The End of Zhuanxu 83

  VII. The Offspring of Zhuanxu 83

Myths in the Era of Emperor Diku 85

  I. Diku and His Five Wives 86

  II. The Conflict Between Ebo and Shichen 89

  III. Ebo Steals Fire 89

  IV. Diku's Daughters 92

Myths & Legends in the Era of Yao 97

  I. The Birth of Yao 98

  II. M{racles in Yao's Rule 98

  Ill. Miracle]udge Gaoyao xoo

  IV. Ten Suns in the Sky and the Severe Drought lO2

  V. Yi Shot Suns 104

  VI. Yi and Luoshen's Love Affairs 107

  VII. The Legend of Hebo's Wedding 110

  VIII. Chang'e Flying to the Moon 111

  IX. Gun Tamed the Raging Waters 114

  X. EmperorYao's Demise 116

Myths & Legends in the Era of Shun 117

  I. Birth of Shun and His Youth 118

  II. Shun Ascends to the Throne 120

  III. Buried at the Jiuyi Mountain 121

Myths & Legends in the Era of Dayu 123

  I. The Birth of Dayu i24

  II. Orders to Control the Floodwater 124

  III. Dayu's Tragedy of Marriage 127

  IV. Having All the Rivers Under Control 129

Other Myths & Legends 131

  I. Ruafu Chasingthe Sun 132

  II. Yugong Moving Mountains 134

  III. Cowboyand Vega i35

Appendix 1: Major Characters in Chinese Myths & Legends 139

Appendix 2: Chronological Table of the Chinese Dynasties 143