In ancient times, there were few humans but many wild animals. People lived on the earth and often suffered from attacks by these creatures, constantly facing the danger of death. Due to the harsh environment, some people began to migrate north. They arrived in the areas of present-day Shanxi and Shaanxi, where, inspired by the habits of rodents, they dug holes in the slopes of the Loess Plateau for shelter. They used stones or branches to cover the entrances, providing much-needed safety. However, because the northern climate was so cold, many people preferred to stay in the more dangerous southern regions rather than migrate north. As a result, finding safe places to live became a pressing problem for the people in the south, and one that Fuxi urgently needed to address.
One day, Fuxi passed by an ancient village and rested under a large willow tree by the river. He heard the chirping of birds but couldn’t find any birds around. He followed the sound and discovered a large bird’s nest in the branches of the willow tree. Fuxi, curious, climbed up to have a look and was amazed to find several newly hatched baby magpies chirping loudly in the nest. The nest was very sturdy; while the outer part appeared to be made of branches, the inside layer was smooth, as if made from fine mud, like a small bowl. Because the nest was built between three large tree branches, it was well-protected from the wind and could not be blown away.
Inspired by the birds’ ability to build strong nests in the trees, Fuxi invented the concept of “nest dwelling” (巢居). He taught the people how to construct houses in tall trees using branches and vines. The walls and roofs of these treehouses were securely covered with branches, providing shelter from the wind and rain while also protecting them from animal attacks. From then on, people no longer had to live in constant fear.
With their living conditions improved, Fuxi next turned to teaching the people how to farm. He taught them to wait until the river water thawed before watering the fields, and to wait until the weather warmed up to plant seeds. During the growth of the crops, he advised them to weed regularly. By the time the summer heat arrived, they should plow the fields to create water channels that would help conserve water, promoting better growth of the crops. With Fuxi’s guidance, the people’s farming became more efficient, leading to better harvests and improved living conditions.
In addition, Fuxi taught the people how to identify the cardinal directions. He was concerned that they might forget the names of the directions, so he gave them specific, easy-to-remember methods: “The east is where the sun rises, so that direction is the direction of the golden mountain, which we call east. The west is associated with earth, as the mountains are high and the earth is thick, and the sun sets behind those mountains. So, that direction is west. The south is associated with fire, as the further south you go, the hotter the weather becomes. So, that direction is fire. The north is associated with water because of its coolness, as cold winds always come from the north, often carrying ice and snow. So, that direction is water.” With Fuxi’s guidance, the people were able to easily identify the directions.
Not only did Fuxi teach people how to build homes, farm, and fish, but he also taught them to recognize the directions. Under his guidance, people’s lives became better and better. In order to honor Fuxi’s great contributions, the people began to refer to him as the “Ancestor of Humanity” (人祖爷). Temples were built in his honor, and golden statues were cast to express their deep respect and gratitude.