Forbidden love, gender bending, deception, vows, humor, heartbreak, mystical transformations — while I can't say that every great story has to have these four elements, they're certainly prevalent in a lot of the stories we hold in high regard in the West, from Shakespeare to Bugs Bunny.

Of course, these elements aren't bound by culture; they're part of the human experience, and this week, we'll look at another of China's Four Great Folktales, which just so happens to feature all of these: the story of Zhu Yingtai and Liang Shanbo. In my experience, it's one of the most beloved and frequently referenced stories in China, with all the suspense and drama you could hope for.

Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden stories that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.

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Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie

Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung

Music:

"The Night" and "Dancing Abroad" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music

License CC BY 4.0 - https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

"An Autumn Moon Over the Han Palace" and "High Mountains, Running Rivers" from the collection The Essence of Famous Chinese Folk Music, used under CC fair use

Even if you don't know anything else about China, if you're listening to this podcast, you've most likely heard of the Great Wall. It's often cited as one of the wonders of the world, and not without reason — it is genuinely a marvel of human workmanship.

Like any structure of this scale, though, the Great Wall's construction was not without human cost, and this echoes through the pages of history and cultural memory. Today, we'll look at a widely-known story that tells of one woman's relationship with the Great Wall — one of China's Four Great Folktales.

Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden stories that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.

_______________________

Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie

Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung

Music:

"Dancing Abroad" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music

License CC BY 4.0 - https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

"River Water," "Lament at Chang Gate," and "Lament" from the collection The Essence of Famous Chinese Folk Music, used under CC fair use.

This coming week, people all across Mainland China celebrate Duanwu, a holiday known here in the West as Dragon Boat Festival. They eat zongzi — little pyramid-shaped snacks made of glutinous rice, stuffed with something sweet or savory and wrapped in bamboo leaves. But the origin of this holiday is a little bit darker than the tasty food might lead you to believe.

Last week, we looked at Questions of Heaven, a poem that seems to be one royal advisor's expression of frustration of with his king, who appeared intent on sabotaging himself and the nation he was supposed to be ruling. This week, we hear the rest of that story, the widely-held origin of the holiday, and of the traditional snack zongzi.

Join me, Jaer Christie, as I explore the hidden legends that shape the world on The Mythographist: Myths of Mainland China.

___________________

Written, narrated, and produced by Jaer Christie

Research by Jaer Christie & Elena Tung

Music:

"Dancing Abroad" & "The Night" by Shaoqing Luna Li - https://filmmusic.io/u/sqluna/music

License CC BY 4.0 - https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

"Birdsong in the Tranquil Valley," "Almond Blossom in the Sky," and "Lament at Chang Gate" from the collection The Essence of Famous Chinese Folk Music, used under CC fair use.