A long time ago, the world was in a state of chaos, with the pure and turbid elements of the universe blending together and constantly changing. Among this chaos, many strange and peculiar creatures existed. These beings had not only become accustomed to the darkness and confusion, but many had also transformed into gods.
One such god was Chaos, also known as Di Jiang in some legends. Chaos resided in a place called Tian Mountain, located 350 miles west of the head of the Chongwu Mountain in the western mountain range.
Chaos had a massive body, resembling the size of an elephant but with two extra legs. Its six legs resembled bear paws, though not as firm. Its skin was red like the color of cinnabar, and it had four wings growing from its back. Its tail resembled that of a dog. Strangely, it had no face, nor ears, eyes, mouth, or nose. However, it could appreciate music and dance, understand the sounds of the world around it, and distinguish between good and evil people that passed by. Chaos moved slowly and laboriously, like an opaque shadow.
It was believed that Chaos was nurturing the essence of heaven and earth, storing the energy that would eventually bring the universe to life.
One day, two time gods, who lived in the sea, passed by Tian Mountain and saw Chaos. They decided to speak with it. Chaos could understand their words and greeted them warmly. The two gods felt deeply sympathetic for Chaos because, unlike them, Chaos lacked eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. They could not fathom how Chaos survived in such a state. They decided to help, using axes, chisels, and other tools to open seven orifices in Chaos.
The two gods said, “Chaos, our dear friend, we know you are a divine being that holds the essence of heaven and earth. After millennia of close contact with the cosmos, you can hear and perceive things around you. But do you know that all living beings in heaven and earth have eyes, ears, mouth, and nose? Eyes allow you to see the world clearly, ears let you hear the flow of all things, a mouth allows you to taste the essence of the universe, and a nose lets you distinguish different scents…”
“Is that so?” Chaos replied. “I never knew! Though I’ve lived for countless years in the embrace of heaven and earth, I have no idea what the world truly looks like.”
“Then allow us to open the seven orifices for you,” said the gods.
“Alright, I’d like to feel the power of the seven orifices!” Chaos agreed.
The two friends set to work. For two days, they carved two eyes between Chaos’s front wings and legs. On the third and fourth days, they carved two nostrils below the eyes. On the fifth day, they carved a mouth beneath the nose. On the sixth and seventh days, they carved two ears on either side of the eyes and below them.
After seven days, Chaos now had seven orifices. However, as the orifices were carved, the essence of heaven and earth contained within Chaos began to disperse. Another seven days passed, and Chaos gradually merged with the universe, becoming one with the cosmos.
Thus, Chaos, now complete with seven orifices, was fully connected with the forces of heaven and earth, experiencing the world through sight, sound, taste, and smell for the first time.