Mythology records early human experiences with nature and with each other. It builds our cultural DNA and influences our current way of thinking and acting. Greek mythology is the foundation of Western civilization while Chinese mythology has a huge impact on the culture in Chinese-speaking societies.

In this blog, we explore the differences between Chinese gods and goddesses with their Greek peers.

How the Universe was created?

According to Chinese mythology: Before the beginning of time, only formless chaos existed. The creator god Pan Gu slept inside an egg. With a massive axe, he separated the opposing forces of Yin and Yang, creating the sky and earth.

According to Greek mythology: In the beginning, there was nothing but a vast, dark void called chaos. Two powerful creators, Gaia, the earth, and Uranus, the sky, made the world and gave rise to the first beings.

How many gods are there?

There are far more Chinese gods than Greek gods. China is a multi-ethnic country, each producing its own mythology. Finally, a common myth was formed through integration, with many many gods.

The major deities of Greek mythology were the twelve Olympians. The gods and goddesses were a family, influencing the sea, wisdom, love, wine, war, hunt, sun, fertility, blacksmith, and underworld.

Is there a social hierarchy between gods?

It was estimated that there were nine levels of hierarchy between different Chinese gods. It’s not easy for lower-ranking gods to interact with higher-ranking gods. Mixing gods with humans will be punished.

Zeus was the leader of the Geek gods but there weren’t strict hierarchies and lines of authority. The Greek gods had a lot of social interaction with each other and with humans.

What are gods like?

Chinese gods are mighty, omniscient, and morally perfect. They possess no human desires, needs, or emotions. There is no problem that gods can’t solve. They lead a life completely different from that of the mortal and mustn’t fall in love with humans.

Greek gods are not perfect. They possess passion, love, and hate. They loved beauty, quarrelled often, fought for power, and could get angry or jealous. They interacted, consulted, and sometimes had children with humans.

How do gods dress?

The ruler of Heaven, the Jade Emperor is the supreme god and dresses to impress. He wore cloth made of gold, silk, and pearls. He was a human emperor who governed with kindness. So, he ascended to be immortal and was supposed to be perfect.

The sky god Zeus usually wore a long robe and cloak. Sometimes he was even nude. Though strong, he was imperfect.

Who’s the famous queen?

Queen Mother is the queen of the Heaven. She is rich, social, and powerful. She possesses certain treasures such as magical peaches and the elixir of life. She hosts a peach birthday party during which strict social protocol must be followed.

In Greek mythology, Hippolyta is the queen of the Amazons, a tribe of fearless warrior women. She led them in many epic conflicts, wearing a war belt. The belt was a gift from her father, endowing the wearer with superhuman strength.

Who’s the famous trickster?

The mischievous Monkey King is one of the best-loved characters in Chinese mythology. Unhappy that Queen Mother didn’t invite him, he went to crash her birthday party. The punishment was quite harsh, he was chained under a mountain for 500 years!

Always searching for amusement, Hermes is perhaps one of the most colorful gods in Greek mythology. He is known to steal items. Perhaps the only thing that saved him was his skilled rhetoric and diplomacy.