Patriarchy, Male Dominance, and Chinese Mythology: A Conversation

Chinese myths sometimes oppose patriarchy, but rarely challenge male dominance. Why? Delve into a world of magical creatures, powerful gods and brave warriors as we celebrate the launch of Xiaobing Wang’s Myths of China, lavishly illustrated by Katie Ponder.

Xiaobing will discuss the origin and evolution of the story of “The Weaver Girl and the Cowherd”, with a focus on patriarchy and male dominance. The three discussants will examine why women are often portrayed as tools for men—existing only to help them grow and achieve their goals—while also exploring themes of empowerment and male dominance in literature and society.

Discussion will also touch on principles of storytelling and writing techniques, including the intersections between academic research and literature for children and young adults.

Whether you are a reader interested in Chinese mythology, or someone interested in patriarchy and gender in literature and society, this event will have something for you, regardless of your age. The book will be available to purchase for a discounted price after the talk.

• Xiaobing Wang on the origin of “The Weaver Girl and the Cowherd” (10 minutes);
• Dialogue and discussion between the three speakers (30 minutes);
• Q&A with the audience (20 minutes);
• Book sale and signing on site.

is an Economist at the University of Manchester, and the Research Director at the Manchester China Institute. He received his PhD degree from King’s College London, and his masters’ degrees from the London School of Economics and the University of Birmingham. He grew up in the suburb of Xi’an city in China. He loves reading and writing, and has a deep knowledge and understanding of the mythology of ancient China.

is a historian of science, technology and media, which she studies through a combination of global and micro-history approaches. She was educated at the Universities of Tokyo (BA and MA in Asian Area Studies) and Heidelberg (PhD in History), and spent several years as a researcher at the Universities of Oxford and Heidelberg. In January 2023, she joined the University of Manchester’s Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine. Amelia’s recent work focuses on the history of women in science and intra-Asian scientific exchanges, especially between India and Japan. She is the author of a children’s book on the history of telecommunications, which has been translated into twelve languages.

is Lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Manchester. His research is rooted in late imperial Chinese literature and draws on the fields of affect and gender studies, ritual theory, and medical humanities. His current project seizes on so-called "negative" emotions to explore the discursive reconfiguration of emotional norms in late imperial Chinese literature. He is also broadly interested in translation studies and Sino-Japanese literary exchanges.

Delve into a world of magical creatures, powerful gods and brave warriors in this thrilling compendium of Chinese myths. With 20 exciting tales alongside fascinating historical information, this is a must-have introduction for young readers intrigued by the ancient civilisation of China.

From the creation of the world to the first emperors, this book charts the full sweep of ancient Chinese mythology, revealing fascinating elements of culture and religion along the way. The enthralling stories introduce mighty gods and mischievous creatures, while a handy reference section is packed with information about the ancient Chinese people themselves.

This book brings ancient China to life and is the perfect gift for children who love history and mythology. Learn why the Chinese New Year is celebrated with lots of noise, how Yi the Archer shot down nine suns shining in the sky, and how the Chinese zodiac began. It's time to ride on the back of a Chinese dragon, cross the Milky Way on the Magpie Bridge, and join the Jade Rabbit on the Moon.

"Chinese mythology is an important part of Chinese thought and culture, but it has not been systematically documented. Many stories have been passed down through generations, and as a result, some have been distorted, some lack logical consistency, and some are at odds with modern morality. There is a lack of a serious yet lively children's book about Chinese mythology, both in the Chinese-speaking world and in the English-speaking West. This book aims to fill that gap. It seeks to provide a coherent, logically consistent retelling of these stories that aligns with modern values while preserving their fundamental essence." - Xiaobing Wang

Myths of China: Meet the Gods, Creatures, and Heroes of Ancient China

https://www.dk.com/uk/book/9780241706961-myths-of-china/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Myths-China-Creatures-Heroes-Ancient/dp/0241664764

Credits: Illustration included in the event poster by Katie Ponder.

promotes multidisciplinary research, teaching and programming with impact beyond academia, seeking to remedy class, racial, gender, and other inequalities, and to improve mutual understanding in UK-China relations. The MCI is based at the University of Manchester.

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Host or Publisher The Manchester China Institute