Da Yu and the Birth of the Chinese Civilisation
The story of Da Yu is deep within the Chinese subconscious. A shared memory of overcoming monumental challenges, creative solutions, and the beginning of a new civilisation.
Chinese civilisation is often said to have started with the founding of the Xia Dynasty (2070 BC to 1600 BC), based on archaeological findings at Erlitou in Yanshi, Henan Province, China, it is near the Lou and Yi River.
During that time, societies started to organise themselves into a state, people moved into the city, and multiple ethnic groups merged into a single dynastic identity.
And it all started with the Great Flood.
The Great Flood
Many flood mythologies coincided with the 4.2 kiloyear event, which occurred around 2200 BC.
This was a significant climatic event that lasted for several centuries, and is one of the major climate fluctuations during the Holocene epoch.
During this period, widespread floods led to the fall of empires and civilisations. Social disruption, the changes in agricultural makeup, and mass migration were endemic.
In China, the Longshan Culture (3000 BC to 2000 BC) also faced similar challenges. But the approach towards coping with the environmental stress may have differed significantly from the conventional flood myths.
Flood Myths
Like Noah and his Ark in the bible, there were many myths found in various cultures throughout the world regarding the Great Flood.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, which predates the bible (1800 BC), it spoke of the gods deciding to destroy humanity with a flood. The god Ea warned Utnapishtim and instructed him to build a boat to save himself, his family, and specimens of all living creatures.
In Hindu mythology, Vishnu, in the form of a giant fish, Matsya, warns the righteous sage-king Manu of an impending flood that will destroy all life. Matsya instructed Manu to build a large boat and to bring onto the boat the seven great sages, seed of all plants, and specimens of all animals.
There were other myths of the Great Flood from Greco-Roman mythology, the Inca (Andes), Muisca (Columbia) and Tupi-Guarani (Brazil) mythology from South America, as well as many African flood myths.
These myths have a common theme: divine retribution, survival and renewal of the earth.
There is also the birth of a cultural hero who took measures to ensure the survival and preservation of life for future generations.
The Yellow River
The Chinese Flood Myth differed from the other flood myths around the world. The Great Flood in Chinese myth was seen as a natural phenomenon, and a problem that needed solving. The solution, instead of a huge boat, was to control the flood.
The solution, instead of a huge boat, was to control the flood.
Who was Da Yu?
Commonly referred to as Yu the Great, Da Yu (大禹) is the hero of our flood story. There was nothing supernatural or unusual about Yu. He was a serious-minded person, a man of few words. He led the population to work together and bring the flood under control.
He was so devoted to his task that during the 13-year period; he passed by his home three (meaning many in ancient Chinese context) times, but never went inside to see his wife or children (三过家门而不入).
His father, Gǔn (pronounced “Kun” 鲧), was initially tasked with bringing the flood under control. Gǔn worked for 9 years but failed. His approach was to build dikes and dams to block the water. Because of Gǔn’s failure, he was exiled to Feather Mountain.
Yu was appointed to take over the task of controlling the flood from his father.
How did he control the flood?
Yu surveyed the land and instead of blocking the water, his plan was to divert the main Yellow River at the down flow into several smaller rivers.
Records in the Shang Shu (尚书) and Shijing (诗经) described Yu’s method of controlling the flood by clearing forest and creating channels to redirect the water, and working with the terrains. Yu created sub-channels near the lower parts of the river to divert water to 9 smaller rivers, creating a web of outflows to the sea.
This reduces the volume of water in the Yellow River so that instead of a single major artery, Yu created 9 smaller rivers to prevent the bank from breaching. This “Yu controls the 9 rivers” (禹治九河) became the method used for managing flood and improving irrigation for future dynasties.
This also created an irrigation system for the people living in the Central Plains, improving the agricultural output significantly.
The process shaped the region into nine provinces (or zhou). These were Jizhou (冀州), Yanzhou (兗州), Qingzhou (靑州), Xuzhou (徐州), Yangzhou (揚州), Jingzhou (荊州), Yuzhou (豫州), Liangzhou (梁州) and Yongzhou (雍州)
It took thirteen years, during which Yu travelled across the land, redirecting rivers and digging channels. Yu’s success also led to improving the lives of many other tribes in these provinces. The process of working together also brought them together and led to the birth of China’s first dynasty.
Perseverance and Dedication
Yu’s dedication became an example of perseverance and selflessness. To the extent that he did not visit his family even when he passed by his house is a moral lesson in Chinese Culture about the virtues of hard work and sacrifice for the greater good.
As leader, Yu knows that everyone made sacrifices and were away from their families for extended periods. It would not have been appropriate for him to visit his family while others could not.
Engineering Achievements
Yu’s approach was creative and practical. Having observed how his father failed, he took a different approach to the problem, diverting instead of blocking the flood waters. This is a fundamental Tai Chi principle: work with the flow and not against it.
This would subsequently influence another notable flood control engineer, Li Bing (李冰) during the period of the Warring States in China, who constructed the Dujiangyan (都江堰) around 256 BC by the State of Qin as an irrigation and flood control project. This system is still in use today.
Yu created vast amounts of arable land and increased food production, leading to sustainable population growth. This made the Xia Dynasty stronger relative to the other tribes. A similar outcome for the State of Qin, which allowed them to become strong enough to unify the whole of China under Qin Shi Huang.
Leadership and Legitimacy
Yu also established his legitimacy as a leader. Shun, who received the throne from Yao because of his capabilities, gave his throne to Yu because of his contribution to flood control and improving the lives of the people.
Unfortunately, Yu began the practice of inherited rule and passed on his power to his son (instead of the most qualified person) and set forth a model that continued until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 AD.
The Birth of Chinese Civilisation
During the Xia Dynasty, China moved from a mythological to a historical era, from tribal clans to city state. The different tribes worked together and gradually merged. This helped them conserve and utilise resources more effectively as they share and improve their agricultural techniques.
With dynastic rule, organising a large population within a state led to increased food production and social stability. The large-scale, coordinated efforts required for flood control also gave rise to a high degree of social organisation and cooperation.
It also brought about the development of administrative systems, finance management, the military, and the division of labour essential for the functioning of a complex community. All these were crucial for the development of a settled, agrarian society, which is a cornerstone of civilisation.
Finally, it created a shared cultural identity.
Chinese people commonly use the term “Descendants of the Dragon” (龙的传人) as a description of their ethnic identity.
The “Loong” or dragon (龙) is a representation of the combination of the nine totems from various ethnic tribes. Formed from the body of the snake, the scales of the fish, the organs of the tortoise, the antlers of the deer, the head of the camel, the eyes of a demon, the claws of the eagle, the soles of the tiger, and the ears of a cow, the Loong became a symbol for unity.
The nine resemblances of the dragon, one from each tribe, uniting a hundred nations into one (百国之合).
The story of Yu marks a pivotal moment in the formation of Chinese civilisation. It reflects the transition from mythological times to organised societal structures, from verbal transmission of knowledge to the systematic recording knowledge and events.
It also highlights the importance of leadership, innovation and community effort in overcoming natural challenges and laying the groundwork for a lasting civilisation.
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That was so interesting Francis. Thankyou. Fiona