In ancient times, there existed a mystical land called Huaxu’s Kingdom, an idyllic paradise far removed from the troubles of the world. This land was difficult to reach by outsiders and had no rulers. Its people lived simple, contented lives, free from desire or ambition, and they were all happy. Perhaps it was due to their unique environment or their otherworldly nature, but the inhabitants of Huaxu’s Kingdom possessed extraordinary abilities. They were impervious to fire, survived floods without harm, and lived for many years. Many referred to this place as a land of immortals, and its people were considered living gods on earth.
In this land, there was a beautiful woman named Huaxu Hua. One day, she ventured outside to explore and came across a giant footprint in the wetlands. Intrigued by the footprint, she stepped into it. The moment she did, she felt as though a snake had coiled around her body, but just as quickly, it left her. The sensation was so brief that she dismissed it as a mere illusion. However, when she returned home that evening, she discovered something astonishing—she was pregnant.
For twelve years, Huaxu Hua waited, but her pregnancy showed no signs of ending. The months passed, and still, there were no labor pains. Finally, after twelve long years, she gave birth to a child—a baby boy. Yet, this child was not like any other. He had a human head and a serpent’s body, a terrifying appearance that made him seem otherworldly. This child was Fuxi, the legendary figure whose birth shares striking similarities with the story of Ji, the ancestor of the Zhou Dynasty. Whether Fuxi and Ji were the same person remains uncertain.
Fuxi grew at an extraordinary pace, becoming a young man within months. He was incredibly intelligent and possessed numerous divine abilities. He could ascend the heavenly ladder and travel freely between heaven and earth. Some people believed that Fuxi was the child of Lei Gong (the Thunder God) because of his resemblance to him, and the giant footprint left in the wetlands was said to be Lei Gong’s. Whether or not Fuxi was Lei Gong’s child is unclear, but his divine powers were beyond doubt. His uniqueness and abilities earned him great respect from the people, who treated him as a divine being.
Due to his miraculous birth—his mother, Huaxu Hua, having conceived him in such a mysterious way and carried him for twelve years—people believed that Fuxi was closely connected to the gods. They revered him as a deity. Indeed, Fuxi played a significant role in improving the lives of humanity, bringing countless advancements in agriculture, social life, and the way people interacted with nature. Over time, he was deified and became known as the “Eastern Heavenly Emperor,” a great celestial figure.
Fuxi had a trusted assistant named Jumang, known as the God of the East and the God of Wood. Jumang’s appearance was also unique—his face was human, but his body was that of a bird. The combination of Fuxi, with his human head and snake body, and Jumang, with his human face and bird body, made them an odd but fitting pair. Jumang served Fuxi for many years, helping him guide humanity and improve their lives. After Fuxi was crowned the Eastern Heavenly Emperor, Jumang was also elevated to the rank of a deity, becoming the God of the East, and they worked together to govern the eastern lands.
Jumang was deeply compassionate and attentive to the suffering of the people. After his ascension, he continued to perform acts of kindness. For example, upon learning of the wisdom of the ruler Duke Mu of Qin, Jumang descended to the mortal realm and extended Duke Mu’s life by nineteen years so that he could continue to serve the people and bring them prosperity.
Thus, the legend of Fuxi’s birth is not only a tale of divine origins but also one of benevolent governance, highlighting the deep connection between gods and humans in Chinese mythology. Fuxi’s wisdom and compassion, along with Jumang’s support, helped lay the foundation for a more prosperous and harmonious world.