THE WEAVER AND THE COWHERD One of the most popular stories in Chinese culture is that of Niulang and Zhinu Niulang had a modest life He lived in a small cottage and made his living as a cowherd His only friend was an old ox that he kept on his property One day Niulang discovered that his ox could talk The animal explained that he had once been a star in the night sky He told his human friend that he should preserve his hide after his death He said this magical item could carry a mere mortal all the way to the heavens Oxen important animals for farming have long been a part of traditional stories in many cultures
The ox also encouraged Niulang to visit a nearby pond A beautiful weaver named Zhinu often visited it to bathe When Niulang arrived she was there As soon as the pair met they fell in love When Niulang asked Zhinu to marry him she agreed Shortly after their marriage Zhinu gave birth to twins a boy and a girl They named the twins Brother Gold and Sister Jade As time went on the beloved ox died The couple lived on happily together in the small cottage with their children But Zhinu was no ordinary woman She was the granddaughter of the Jade Emperor an important god and FOLK SONGS Not all myths are told in prose or story form Many Chinese myths are told through poems and songs People sing these songs at events such as weddings and funerals Often the songs consist of several myths combined she was a goddess in her own right She was in charge of weaving clouds for the sky When the Emperor Figures of the Jade Emperor can still be seen in shrines today
