The Red and the Yellow: China's Foundation Myth

"The Children of the Red and the Yellow" is a phrase one stumbles upon from time to time when listening to the Chinese talk about themselves, particularly since the construction of modern Chinese nationalism starting in the late 19th century. The phrase refers to China's foundation myth. Some 4,700 years ago, so the story goes, the Red Emperor, the leader of a confederation of ancient tribes, bowed to the Yellow Emperor, the leader of another confederation. The new combined group of tribes u...