‘A Hazy Dream World from Ancient China’ is a documentary series that recently started airing on television, bringing several legendary stories from the ancient Chinese literature work, the ‘Classic of Mountains and Rivers’ (Shan Hai Jing), to the screen. The series consists of eight episodes, each delving into different aspects of the book, which is considered an encyclopedia of ancient China, encompassing legends, geography, history, astronomy, animals, plants, medicine, religion, anthropology, oceanography, and other subjects. It is widely believed that the book originated from folk literature passed down orally before the Warring States Period (475BC-221BC) and was then continuously revised over time.
The series takes “peculiarity” as its central theme, depicting several strange legendary figures, mythical animals, and related myths. It employs a mix of art forms, including cartoons, dances, shadow puppets, and on-the-spot video shooting, combined with expert interpretation, to immerse audiences in a fanciful world. This approach helps viewers understand the book’s contents and style by referring to other related historical resources.
The documentary mainly focuses on the most well-known sagas in the book, with episodes titled “The Goddess Mends the Sky: Where I Came From,” “Fuxi: Exploring the Way to the Sky,” and “Zhulong: God of Time.” These episodes explore ancient beliefs, such as the worship of the Goddess Nüwa, the creator of human beings in Chinese mythology, which may reflect the early period of human history when mother figures were revered. Another episode examines the image of Zhulong, which somewhat resembles a bronze mask found at the Sanxingdui Ruins in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province. This image is believed to symbolize the ancestors of the Chinese people’s desire to transcend the limits of time and space.
Zhang Yiwu, a professor at Peking University, praised the documentary for providing a visualized illustration, a comprehensive introduction, and an academic interpretation of this important Chinese literary work. He noted that the series holds special significance as it represents a significant effort by CCTV to popularize traditional Chinese culture.
The ‘Classic of Mountains and Rivers’ is a crucial text that provides insight into various aspects of ancient Chinese culture, beliefs, and knowledge. By bringing these stories to life through a mix of art forms and expert interpretations, ‘A Hazy Dream World from Ancient China’ not only entertains but also educates viewers about this important aspect of Chinese heritage.
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