According to Chinese mythology, Pangu separated heaven from earth.
Pangu is a primordial being and a central figure in Chinese creation myths. The legend describes a time when the universe was a formless void. Within this void, Pangu gestated inside a cosmic egg for 18,000 years. Upon emerging, he broke the egg, separating the Yin (earth) and Yang (heaven) components.
Pangu's Role in Creation
-
Separation of Heaven and Earth: Pangu stood between the separating earth and sky, pushing them further apart each day. The sky rose by one zhang (about 10 feet), the earth thickened by one zhang, and Pangu grew by one zhang each day for another 18,000 years.
-
The Ultimate Sacrifice: After this period, Pangu died. His body transformed into various elements of the world.
- His breath became the wind and clouds.
- His voice became thunder.
- His left eye became the sun.
- His right eye became the moon.
- His body became the mountains and land.
- His blood became the rivers and seas.
- His hair became the forests and plants.
Therefore, Pangu's separation of heaven and earth and subsequent sacrifice formed the basis of the world as we know it, according to Chinese mythology.
