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Illustration of Nezha and Chinese Dragon battling

Chinese Mythology in Popular Culture

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Chinese Mythology in Popular Culture

From the fiery child deity Nezha to the Monkey King—the inspiration behind the popular video game Black Myth: Wukong—ancient Chinese mythology’s timeless legends continue to gain international recognition and influence modern popular culture. Explore the vast world of Chinese mythology and its impact across different industries.

Nezha: China’s Rebellious Warrior Takes Chinese Mythology to New Heights

Discover the origins and history of the boy deity bringing Chinese mythology to global audiences:

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HISTORY

Ne Zha: From Myth to Cultural Icon

Ne Zha transcended his origins as a Buddhist deity to emerge as a rebellious, anti-patriarchal hero in popular culture

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IDIOMS

Idiomized: How to Rebel in 4 Characters

Learn these essential Chinese “chengyu” to praise a free spirit, or to discipline a rebellious child

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ARTS

Investiture of the Gods: The 16th Century Tale Inspiring “Ne Zha 2”

Discover the epic tale behind “Ne Zha 2” with “Investiture of the Gods”—A 16th century Chinese novel of gods, heroes, and legendary battles

Journey to the West: The Ever-evolving Classic of Chinese Mythology

Sun Wukong, often referred to as the Monkey King, continues to inspire modern adaptations in popular culture. Find out more:

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STREET TALK

Havoc in HR: How Chinese Workers Found a New Champion in ‘Wukong’

The much-anticipated video game has birthed various memes on the tribulations of the Monkey King (and Chinese “corporate monkeys”)

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LANGUAGE, ENTERTAINMENT

Lost in Translation: The Localization Challenge of “Black Myth: Wukong”

Despite localization’s key role in achieving success abroad, the industry remains misunderstood in China—something many linguists hope China’s first AAA game will change

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TV

The Business of Being Monkey

Liuxiaolingtong, who became a legend for his portrayal of Sun Wukong, is more than just an actor—he’s a man on a mission

Chinese Mythology in Cinema

The film industry is increasingly embracing Chinese mythology, weaving legendary tales into modern storytelling and giving them a growing presence on the big screen

The Legend of White Snake | Film Review

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How many Journeys to the West have you seen?

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Top Chinese Animated Films

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Deity Defying

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Lost in Animation

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The Legend of White Snake | Film Review

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How many Journeys to the West have you seen?

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Top Chinese Animated Films

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Deity Defying

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Lost in Animation

Chinese Mythology in Gaming

Once overlooked in the gaming industry, Chinese mythology has expanded China’s influence in gaming and is now shaping the industry's future

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ENTERTAINMENT

Monkeying Around: Chinese Gamers on the ‘Black Myth’ Phenomenon

We gathered people to play the hottest game of the year. Here’s what they had to say about it.

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ARTS

Before “Black Myth,” Other Games Tapped into Chinese Culture

From almost the very beginning, video games have drawn inspiration from Chinese literature

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ENTERTAINMENT

The Fear Within: Can China’s Horror Game Developers Overcome Genre Malaise?

Evading strict censorship around religious and supernatural content, Chinese horror games have long used cultural elements like paper money, ancestral tablets, and red lanterns to evoke horror and tension—yet now, audiences are seeking deeper thrills

The Origin Stories

Nezha and Sun Wukong may have captured the world’s attention, but Chinese mythology is rich with countless other legendary heroes, myths, and folklore

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TRADITIONAL CULTURE

Nian: The Monster Behind Chinese New Year

The myth that inspired firecrackers and the color red for Chinese New Year

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TRADITIONAL CULTURE

Supernatural Chinese Beings Perfect for Halloween

Halloween may be a Western import, but ancient Chinese literature is full of spooky beasts, demons, and ghosts to consider this October 31

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HISTORICAL FIGURES

Xuanzang’s Journey to the West

Playing second fiddle to the Monkey King does not do this man justice

Video Stories and Podcasts

The Child God Nezha: An Icon of Rebellion and Self-Determination

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Cultural References in Black Myth: Wukong Explained

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Black Myth: Wukong—How to Make a Billion Dollars from Chinese Folklore

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The Child God Nezha: An Icon of Rebellion and Self-Determination

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Cultural References in Black Myth: Wukong Explained

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Black Myth: Wukong—How to Make a Billion Dollars from Chinese Folklore

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画板 20(1)

The Child God Nezha: An Icon of Rebellion and Self-Determination

黑神话横版

Cultural References in Black Myth: Wukong Explained

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Black Myth: Wukong—How to Make a Billion Dollars from Chinese Folklore

Writing the Gods

Catch up on the latest adaptations of Chinese mythology in the world of literature

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BOOKS

Revisiting “Monkey,” Arthur Waley’s Artful Reimagining of a Chinese Classic

With the recent release of “Black Myth: Wukong,” Canadian writer and translator Dylan Levi King reflects on the popularization of a Chinese literature classic

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TRADITIONAL CULTURE

Grim Fairy Tales

Vampires, ghosts, and were-beasts: How foreign demonologists catalogued China’s homegrown horrors

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BOOKS

Where is China’s “Brothers Grimm”?

The “Lin Lan Fairy Tales” was a huge project, collecting folklore for children from all across China. So why has no-one heard of it?

Delve Deeper into Chinese Mythology

Monkey King Ancient Chinese Historical Figures Chinese Folklore A World of Chinese Fantasy Fiction | Short Stories Ancient Texts

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