Some Issues to Be Noted in the Study of Ancient Chinese Legend

Now, some issues in ancient Chinese legend research should be specifically clarified:(1) When there is not a good starting point in a great deal of archaeological data and ancient documents, it is not advisable to summarize the legendary historical figures by dividing different cultural groups. Some specific discussions should be made according to the problems existing in the ancient legend period, and then various cultural groups could be summarized when conditions permit. (2) There is a fundamental difference between ancient Chinese legends and ancient Greek and Hebrew myths. It is wrong to treat the stories of ancient Chinese history as myths. (3) The ancient legend official system, temple pole system, the original social organization form, surname and marriage system in the ancient Chinese legend period has transformed to the written words on bamboo slips and silk in the West Zhou Dynasty from original word-of-mouth form. These systems are totally different from those between the West Zhou Dynasty, the Warring States Period, and the Qin and Han Dynasties, which cannot be made up and should be taken seriously.