Major Myths

The Yellow Emperor. © MARY EVANS PICTURE LIBRARY/THE IMAGE WORKS.

Addition, he could communicate directly with the gods through his prayers and sacrifices. When he traveled around his empire, he rode in an ivory chariot pulled by dragons and an elephant, accompanied by

A procession of tigers, wolves, snakes, and flocks of the fabled phoenix birds.

During Huang-Di’s reign, only one god challenged his authority. The rebel god was aided by the emperor’s son Fei Lian (pronounced FAY lee-EN), lord of the wind. They sent fog and rain to drown the royal armies, but the emperor’s daughter Ba (drought) dried up the rain and helped defeat the rebels.

After ruling for many years, Huang-Di became tired and weak. He allowed officials to make decisions for him and went to live in a simple hut in the courtyard of his palace. Through fasting, prayer, and meditation, he discovered the tao (pronounced DOW), or way—the path to an ideal state of being and existence. The Yellow Emperor continued to rule for many additional years, attempting to bring a state of perfection to his realm. Upon his death he rose into the heavens and became an immortal, or a being who could live forever.