According to legend, the mother of the Yellow Emperor was a woman named Fu Bao. One day, while praying to the heavens in the fields of Qi, a sudden thunderstorm struck. Lightning flashed and thunder roared, causing Fu Bao to feel numb all over, her vision blurred. From that moment, she found herself pregnant. The local shamans, upon hearing the news, proclaimed, “A sage will soon be born in this place!”
However, months passed, and Fu Bao showed no signs of labor. She waited and waited, but as time went on, even after ten months, she still felt no need to give birth. Eventually, after two full years, on the second day of the second month, a miraculous sight appeared in the sky: five-colored auspicious clouds formed, and a hundred birds flew toward the phoenix. Only then did Fu Bao give birth to a boy, the Yellow Emperor. This event is said to have given rise to the saying, “On the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head.”
From the moment of his birth, the Yellow Emperor displayed extraordinary characteristics. He was born with four faces, and while other infants were still crying, he was already speaking. As other children began to babble, he was able to form full sentences, and when others were still naive to the world, he already seemed to possess vast knowledge. His rapid growth and development amazed everyone, and people began to view him as divine. At the age of fifteen, the Yellow Emperor was chosen to be the leader of the Xuanyuan tribe, and later became the ruler of the state of Youxiong. He was a wise and capable leader who greatly improved the lives of his people.
During the reign of the Yellow Emperor, the world was divided into five regions, each ruled by a deity. These deities governed not only the lands but also the elements associated with their regions:
- The Eastern Leader was Tai Hao, known as the Azure Emperor (青帝), who ruled over the east. The East was considered the place where rivers converged and the sun and moon rose. The people of the East were tall, had sharp noses, and large mouths, with shoulders resembling a kite’s wings. They matured early but did not live long. The East was a fertile land for wheat, and it was also a habitat for tigers and leopards.
- The Southern Leader was Yan Di, the Red Emperor (赤帝), who ruled over the south. The South was hot and humid, gathering much of the earth’s yang energy. The people here were also tall, with sharp upper faces, big mouths, and wrinkled eyes. They matured quickly but had short lifespans. This region was ideal for growing rice, and rhinoceroses and elephants could be found there.
- The Western Leader was Shao Hao, known as the White Emperor (白帝), who governed the west. The West was the land of towering mountains and deep valleys, where the sun and moon set. The people here had bent backs, long necks, and walked with their heads held high. They were known for their courage and strength but lacked compassion. The West was a place for millet cultivation and home to yak and rhinoceros.
- The Northern Leader was Zhuan Xu, the Black Emperor (黑帝), who ruled the north. The North was a dark, cold place, often covered in ice and snow, where animals remained hidden for much of the year. The people of the North had small, shriveled bodies, short necks, and broad shoulders. They were not known for their intelligence but lived long lives. The North was suitable for growing legumes, and it was rich in dogs and horses.
- The Central Leader was The Yellow Emperor (黄帝), with the support of the Earth Goddess, Hou Tu. The central region, known for its fertile land, was considered the most important place. People here had large faces, short cheeks, and beautiful beards. The Yellow Emperor was known for his wisdom, compassion, and ability to govern the country effectively. The central region was perfect for growing grains and was home to many cattle, sheep, and other livestock.
Despite his virtuous rule, the Yellow Emperor faced threats from the four emperors of the other regions. They envied the fertile land of the central plains and sought to conquer the Yellow Emperor’s territory. Faced with this, the Yellow Emperor had no choice but to go to war. However, because of his benevolence, the loyalty of his soldiers, and the support of the people, he eventually emerged victorious.
This victory solidified the Yellow Emperor’s status as the great leader of all the realms, and his reign is remembered as a time of peace and prosperity. His story has become a symbol of wisdom, justice, and the importance of unity and perseverance in the face of adversity.
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