Modern China, Volume 26, Issue 4 (2000-10). pp. 448.
Language:
English
Abstract:
An analysis of several narratives about the Three Heavenly Kings (or White Emperor Heavenly Kings) in western Hunan. The Han appropriated the Miao (Hmong) myth and used it to encourage Han settlement of Miao lands. In the 19th century, Han literati transformed these figures into cult heroes. However, tension developed between the elite and folk versions of the myth. These figures continue to resonate with people in the region today, where they provide a sense of identity. The myth's adaptation and mystery explain its longevity.