Sons of Heaven
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Of all the "Sons of Heaven" it was Huang-ti who had left the "largest footprint" in the Chinese mythology. He first made his appearance in the Huang He River basin.
Huang-ti was very different from other ancient heroes. He did not enlighten people, did not demand worship. Huang-ti and his helpers were amazingly rational beings. Of course, they did teach the natives all kinds of useful sciences, including the acupuncture. However, most important for them were their own affairs. And such affairs were dominated by the creation of complex, and alas, incomprehensible (at least, to us) apparatuses and contrivances.
According to Mr. Krapiva the Biography of Huang-ti was based on mysterious legends. What did the ancient scribes mean by "following the Moon?" What drove Huang-ti establish some connection between his "mirrors" and Moon? There is even a more curious detail uncovered by Krapiva. "Account of Wonders" (sixth century B.C.E) contained the following story: People of the Mirror Lake tell that where Huang-ti cast his mirrors, there remains a stone that polished them. Creepers (creeping grass-P.S.) does not grow on that stone. Lao Tzu lived in that age: did he see the stone in question?
Tripods
Numerous sources relate that Huang-ti manufactured and used some "miraculous tripods." The "tripods" were not used for water, nor was there any fire to heat and prepare food in them. The purpose of such a "tripod" was quite different: it was a "likeness of the Great Infinite," Tao, the concealed engine of the Universe. A "tripod" was approximately 3-4 meters in height, but its volume relatively small: 100 liters. The legs carried most of its weight. A curious human observer would not be able to glance inside the "tripod," but sources did say that "hundreds of spirits filled its insides." Krapiva, who has studied all such sources available, is of the opinion that a functioning "tripod" emitted some noises, voices. The legends of ancient China said that the "tripods" depicted "dragons, flying in the clouds"; it was the same "dragon" who eventually arrived and carried off Huang-ti and his colleagues. Most likely the "tripods" were used for distant communications, because their location were chosen in such a way that the star Syuan Yuan would be pointed at. It is from that star that Huang-ti arrived on Earth. We know this star as Regulus, of the Leo constellation; more about this curious star later.
There is a mountain, 18 kilometers northeast of Zhaoqing, first called Summit Lake Mountain because there is a lake on its top. Legend says that the Yellow Emperor once had a tripod cast here, hence the present name. It is one of the four famous mountains in south China.
The most interesting quality of the "tripods" was its ability to store knowledge and data. Such a "tripod" knew " favorable and unfavorable signs, knew that which exists and that which has disappeared." Moreover, a "tripod" could remain still, and could walk about, was able to become light and heavy (Krapiva thinks it could somehow manipulate gravitation). The sources listed by Ukrainian scholar are "Records of the foremost deeds of Huang-ti the Great" and "Glorification of the three tripods of Huang-ti" written by Zao Ji.
Huang-ti and most of his assistants operated in the Northern China. It was there that the Chinese civilization subsequently developed. The south of China was developed by entities whose exact nature is not easily determined: were they living organisms? independent mechanisms? or mechanisms, controlled by living creatures? Ancient sources name them "Chi Yu and his brothers." Obviously, they were quite identical. Perhaps the discovery of the "fifth civilization" site at Chengdu, and subsequent excavations will shed some light on those who "developed the South." Krapiva was able to collect some information about Chi Yu.
Just like Huang-ti, Chi Yu had four eyes (at least, considered as such), six arms, or manipulators. The strangest of all was Chi Yu's head: it was made from copper and had a metallic forehead, and some tridents in place of ears. According to the local legends, the metallic head was cut off the body (with all appropriate safeguards), and buried separately. Years later this head continued to emit heat. On occasions a reddish steam-like cloud would come from the burial site: the locals worshiped it ("Five books of Huang-ti").
Chi Yu was able to move in the rugged areas, and could even fly (for short periods of time). His (or its) taste for food was quite impressive: all sources suggest that the creature ate "stones and sand": this way it obtained energy that was necessary for the creature's movements. Were Chi Yu and "his" brothers living creatures? Krapiva thinks that were complex autonomous mechanisms, akin to robots. Actually but one of the creatures would have to be controlled by an intelligent life form,but the natives considered them all as living creatures.
Huang-ti ruled the land for one hundred years, but his life span was much greater: some sources suggest that he lived for three hundred years. Where he spent the rest of his days, and what activities he was engaged in, is open to speculation. There are Tao sources who state unambiguously that after one hundred years of his "rule" Huang-ti returned to his home star, "ascended the heavens, and became the ruler of the Great Infinite, again turning into the star Syuan Yuan." The same star that his "tripods" had pointed at. An ancient Chinese drawing of the Syuan Yuan constellation has been identified by modern astronomers as that of the Leo constellation. Its brightest star is (Alpha Leo), Regulus. We do not know much about this star; we do know that there are very few similarities between our Sun and Regulus. But there is a very curious similarity: there exists, in the Regulus star system, a radio source that emits signals in metric wave bands. In our Solar system there is also such a source: Earth.