Gun (Chinese mythology)

Gun (鯀) is a figure in Chinese mythology, most prominently known for his failed attempt to control the Great Flood. He is often described as a deity or a demigod, typically considered the father of Yu the Great, who eventually succeeded in controlling the flood.

Gun's primary role in the mythology is his attempt to dam the floodwaters using a magical, self-expanding soil called Xirang (息壤), sometimes translated as "breathing earth" or "self-growing soil." He stole Xirang from the Supreme Divinity, Di (帝), or sometimes Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor), depending on the version of the myth.

Despite his efforts using the Xirang, Gun was ultimately unsuccessful in controlling the flood. The waters continued to rise, causing immense suffering and devastation. As punishment for stealing the Xirang and his failure to contain the flood, Gun was executed by Di. Different accounts detail the manner of his execution, with some saying he was killed by Zhurong, the god of fire.

A significant variation in the myths recounts that after his death, Gun's body did not decay for three years. From his corpse, or sometimes his belly, Yu the Great was born. Yu inherited his father’s mission, and ultimately, using different methods involving dredging and channeling the water, succeeded where Gun had failed.

Gun's story is often interpreted as a cautionary tale about the importance of respecting divine authority and the limitations of brute force in dealing with natural disasters. While he failed, his efforts set the stage for his son's triumph, and he is often viewed as a tragic figure, driven by a desire to help humanity. His tale represents an important part of Chinese flood mythology and highlights the themes of filial piety, divine retribution, and the eventual triumph of order over chaos.