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Ancient China: geography - how Nu Gua created human beings

Text Ancient China: geography - how Nu Gua created human beings

TLF ID M012364

This is an animated text accompanied by notes that recounts two myths about the goddess Nu Gua and the Yellow River. The first describes how Nu Gua created human beings, first by making models of the gods from the yellow clay of the river to create the rich and fortunate, and then by flicking droplets of clay to create the poor and unlucky. The second myth is about how Nu Gua was venerated for saving the world from a great flood by creating dams and lakes to control the river, and for urging the legendary Yellow Emperor, Huang Di, to look after the people better.

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Educational details

Educational value
  • This is a useful resource for the China option in the Asian world depth study in the year 7 history curriculum, particularly the study's content descriptions about the significant beliefs of Chinese society, and the physical features of China and how they influenced the civilisation that developed there. The creation and flood myths highlight the importance of the Yellow River basin as a centre of civilisation in ancient China, and the catastrophic effect of the river's floods.
  • The resource may contribute to students attaining those elements of the year 7 history achievement standard that refer to describing events and developments from the perspective of different people who lived at the time; identifying and selecting a range of sources; and locating, comparing and using information to answer inquiry questions.
  • It may also be relevant for the Asia cross-curriculum priority, especially its organising idea about the contribution of the people of Asia to world history.
Year level

7

Topics Religion Beliefs Environmental influences Classical antiquity Ancient history Ancient cities Funerals Chinese history Conflict (Human relations) Egyptian history Indian history Lifestyles Significant people
Learning area
  • History
  • Humanities and Social Sciences

Other details

Contributors
  • Contributor
  • Name: Education Services Australia
  • Organization: Education Services Australia
  • Description: Data manager
  • Address: VIC, AUSTRALIA
  • URL: http://www.esa.edu.au/
  • Copyright Holder
  • Name: Trustees of the British Museum
  • Organization: Trustees of the British Museum
  • URL: http://www.britishmuseum.org
  • Publisher
  • Name: Trustees of the British Museum
  • Organization: Trustees of the British Museum
  • Description: Publisher
  • URL: http://www.britishmuseum.org
  • Resource metadata contributed by
  • Name: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Organisation: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Address: AUSTRALIA
  • URL: www.esa.edu.au
Access profile
  • Unknown
Learning Resource Type
  • Text
Rights
  • © Trustees of the British Museum, unless otherwise indicated. This material may be used free of charge for purposes which are exclusively non-commercial and educational, provided that all copyright notices on the material are retained. ‘Website’ image: © Education Services Australia Limited 2012. You may use, reproduce and communicate this image for non-commercial educational purposes provided you retain all acknowledgements associated with the image.