| Abstract |
The myth of pygmies has been circulated since the pre-Qin period. In the late Ming dynasty, similar legends of “pygmies and cranes” can be found in the first Chinese world map “Kunyu Wanguo Quantu” drawn by western missionary, as well as “Categories of Various Barbarians” which represents popular exotic knowledge. In previous studies, discussions are mostly focusing on the relationship between Chinese and western culture; however, the communication process is complex. Myths, travel literature, and images from multiple cultures share the same plot, such as ancient Egyptian artifacts, Greek and Roman mythical and geographical literature, and Arabic illustrations. The “habitation” of pygmies is also various, including Africa, India, northern Eurasia, China, and North America. Moreover, legend of pygmies has several branches in Chinese mythology. Instead of finding out the prototype or origin, this article aims to explore the spread of legends by collating images and texts of similar motif in multicultural context. Besides, the worldwide myth of “pygmies and cranes” may contribute to the discussion of the roles that legendary races represent in the exotic knowledge system of different eras. |
