Fubao

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fubao (Chinese: 附寶), a woman from the Youjiao clan,[1] was, according to some Chinese mythology sources, the mother-in-law of the inventor of silk, Leizu; mother of Huang Di the Yellow Emperor and of Yan Di the Flame Emperor; and, wife of Shaodian. However, the mythological genealogy varies. Fubao is viewed as ancestress to the Han people who form the majority of the population of China.

Daughter-in-law, Leizu[]

Main article: Leizu

Fubao was mother-in-law to Leizu, who was the inventor of sericulture, the art of silk production, according to Chinese mythology. Silk and fabrics made from silk are some of the world's important textiles.[2] Silk is believed to have been produced since neolithic times in China. The "Silk Road" was named after the trade in silk across Eurasia.[2]

Husband, Shaodian[]

Further information: Shaodian

Fubao married Shaodian, who according to the Records of the Grand Historian, was the father of Huang Di.[3]

Son, Huang Di[]

Ursa Major, the Great Bear or Big Dipper
Main article: Yellow Emperor

Fubao was the mother of Huang Di, also called the Yellow Emperor. According to Chinese mythology, the birth was miraculous. Fubao is said to have seen a bolt of lightning (or aurora borealis) circling around one of the stars of the Great Bear (Big Dipper). The light was very bright, and she got pregnant. Twenty-four months later Fubao was said to have given birth to Huang Di.[4]

Son, Yan Di[]

Main article: Yan Di

Fubao is also sometimes said to be mother or otherwise ancestral to Yan Di, also known as the Flame Emperor.[5]

See also[]

Reference notes[]

  1. ^ Etudes chinoises: bulletin de l'Association française d'études chinoises. Association française d'études chinoises. 1990. p. 142.
  2. ^ a b Uschan, Michael V. (2014-05-09). Chinese Mythology. Greenhaven Publishing LLC. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-4205-1146-8.
  3. ^ 苏叔阳 (2007). A Reader on China: An Introduction to China's History, Culture and Civilization. Better Link Press. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-60220-103-3.
  4. ^ Yang, Lihui; An, Deming; Turner, Jessica Anderson (2005). Handbook of Chinese Mythology. ABC-CLIO. p. 138. ISBN 978-1-57607-806-8.
  5. ^ Theobald, Ulrich (5 February 2012). "Yan Di 炎帝". China Knowledge.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

Further reading[]

  • Christie, Anthony (1968). Chinese Mythology. Feltham: Hamlyn Publishing. ISBN 0600006379.
  • Wu, K. C. (1982). The Chinese Heritage. New York: Crown Publishers. ISBN 0-517-54475X.
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