Myths and Legends
(4) Downing Nine Suns
At the beginning of times, there was a Supreme God called Tien Di (天帝). He had ten sons which were birds brazing with fire. They were suns lighting the universe.
The fire birds were playful. But, they had to follow a straight schedule. Only one should appear on the Fuseng Tree per day. The others took turns to rest under the sea. This was to make sure that the atmosphere and earth were not burnt with too much heat.
The active birds were bored in waiting and taking turns. They rebelled one day. All ten suns played together on the Fuseng Tree.
Disaster struck. The combined heat of the ten suns seared and scorched the earth, destroying all vegetations and dwellings. The rivers and lakes dried up. People and animals rushed to take shelter deep in caves. Even rocks began to melt under the intense heat.
People asked the gods for help. But even Tien Di was helpless, as his sons refused to obey his rules.
Luckily, a minor god named Yi volunteered to help. He was an archer. He was also very kind, concerned not only with the lives of humans but also all animals and vegetations. He asked permission to shoot down nine suns, keeping only one to light up the universe.
Tien Di consented after a long deliberation. He loved all his sons. But, being the Supreme God, he was responsible for the wellbeing of all lives. He gave Yi a magic bow and a quiver of arrows. He told Yi: “Do what you must, but try to minimize the pain of my sons.”
Yi came down on earth immediately, braving the immense heat. He chose a high ground and waived his magic bow to ask the sunbirds to keep order. They ignored him. He then aimed and let the bolt fly. A three-legged raven hurtled down instantly, its fire distinguished.
Yi continued to down three more sunbirds. The air cooled down a little. But the remaining birds were as defiant as before, mimicking as they played on. Yi was enraged. He mounted five arrows together, pulled his magic bow fully and let go. Five fireballs came down to the sea near him. The only sun left pleaded Yi to stop, promising to behave by his father’s rules.
Yet, when Tien Di heard that nine of his sons were shot dead, he grieved. He banished Yi and his wife to live on earth and striped them of their godly powers and immortality. But, the universe was in order ever since, and all lives flourished as we know them today. People remembered Yi the Great Archer, symbol of kindness, courage, and selflessness.
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Note: This is a narration of a passage in the book 《符子》 which told us how the universe was kept in order through the endeavors of great heroes. The original title 后羿射日 is commonly used to denote great acts of benevolence and courage.