In ancient Chinese Han legends, there is a magnificent epic about Hou Yi shooting the sun, which is deeply rooted in the folk memory of Tunliu County, Shanxi Province. According to legend, in ancient times, the Eastern Heavenly Emperor had ten sons of the sun, who lived by the East Sea and took turns shining on the earth every day, bringing light and warmth to all things. As a result, the human world prospered harmoniously.
The wife of the Heavenly Emperor often had her ten children bathe in the East China Sea and settle on a towering ancient tree, which became their home because the center of the sun was shaped like a bird (three legged black). Nine suns inhabit the low branches, while the youngest one stands tall at the treetops. Every morning at dawn, the sun on the treetops rides a two wheeled cart across the sky, starting a new day. This cycle repeats itself in an orderly manner.
At that time, people enjoyed the brightness and warmth bestowed by the sun, working from sunrise to sunset, living a peaceful and beautiful life. They are grateful for the time, light, and joy brought by the sun, often looking up at the sky with awe in their hearts. However, the good times did not last long. The ten suns grew tired of taking turns on duty day after day and longed to explore the sky together and share the joy of gaming. So, at dawn, they jumped onto the two wheeled cart together regardless of everything, pouring endless heat onto the earth.
In an instant, disaster struck. Ten suns are like ten blazing fireballs, scorching the earth and withering all things. Forests turn to ashes, rivers dry up, and people suffer greatly. People and animals are fleeing in search of a shelter for survival, and the world is plunged into chaos and despair. At this critical moment, a young and handsome hero named Hou Yi stepped forward. His archery skills are outstanding, hitting every shot with precision. He was entrusted with a heavy responsibility by the Heavenly Emperor to rescue the people. Witnessing the suffering of humanity, Hou Yi made a grand vow to shoot down the excess sun and restore peace and harmony to the world.
After enduring countless hardships, Hou Yi climbed over 99 high mountains, crossed 99 large rivers, and traversed 99 canyons, finally arriving at the East Coast. He stood on the top of the mountain, holding a ten thousand pound red bow and a thousand pound white arrow bestowed by the Heavenly Emperor, aiming at the nine raging suns. With the sound of strings, nine suns fell one after another, and their radiance and heat gradually dissipated.
In the end, the only remaining sun was intimidated by Hou Yi’s majesty, obediently rising and setting in the east and west according to the predetermined trajectory, bringing suitable light and heat to the earth. The world returned to peace, all things revived, and people cheered and appreciated Hou Yi’s heroic feat.
However, Hou Yi lost the qualification to return to the Heavenly Court after shooting the nine sons of the Heavenly Emperor. But his name and deeds are forever engraved in the hearts of humanity, becoming an immortal hero legend.
