Differences Between Norse Mythology And Chinese Mythology

In this paper I will discuss some of the many differences between Norse Mythology and Chinese Mythology. The term “Mythology” is often used to describe a religion but during this paper I will use this term to mean a set of myths that are unique to a single culture. Mythology for the Norse was very different from the Chinese. Not only do they differ in deities but they also in the way that they process the world around them. Norse Mythology originated in Scandinavia and was a collection of myths that spread with the Viking expansion. It was a polytheistic religion that did not have a strict moral code. It eventually spread from Scandinavia with the Vikings expansion. However the actual religion died out __ years after Christianity started
The basic concepts of Chinese Mythology can be found all over Asia but these myths but it is never the same. It changes from region to region but the main stories remain the same. The foundation for Chinese Mythology was achieving peace as well as wisdom. Taoism, or known as The Way, started in 2700’s BC. Its two keystones are the works of Lao Tzu, who wrote Toa Te Ching, and Zhuangzi, who wrote other writings. Its three tenants are the Three Treasures. These Treasures are compassion, moderation and humility. It most important focus however was Wu Wei, which means “without action.” The goal of Taoists was to achieve this sense of Wu Wei were they essentially did everything naturally. To cast off humans desires and to accept oneself for who they are. It provided a goal for people searching for truth. Buddhism started ____ in India. Its key foundation was to become Bud-the, “to be free from suffering.” Once a person has become Bud-the he reaches the state of Nirvana, pure detachment from worldly desires. It provided a goal, reincarnation and a moral
It was the final goal for those who searched for wisdom. Most of the Chinese deities were immortal thus representing Complete Knowledge. For the Chinese death also did not pose a great problem. When a person died, his soul was taken to the underworld, __. Here he was taken to court and judged for his actions on Earth. If deemed good enough he was reborn instantly. However if he was not good then he was to go through the 7 stages of hell were he would be tortured until he repented of all his crimes. Then if the judge deemed fit he was reborn, if not than he would be reborn as a slug or sent through the 7 stages again. This made everyone in a sense immortal. Yet not the kind of immorality that was sought. It was an “ignorant”