Sun

In ancient China, many myths revolve around the sun. One of them, recorded in The Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shan Hai Jing), describes the scene of Xihe bathing the suns: "Xihe, wife of Emperor Jun, gave birth to ten suns. The ten suns bathe in the Sweet Abyss."

Xihe, the sun goddess and wife of Emperor Jun, had ten children—ten suns. They lived in a mysterious and beautiful place called Tanggu, located across the eastern seas. In Tanggu stood a colossal tree named Fusang, and it was here that the ten suns resided. Every day, one of the suns would take turns appearing in the sky, bringing light and warmth to the earth.

At dawn, the goddess Xihe would drive a magnificent chariot to accompany the sun of the day as it left the Fusang tree. This chariot, pulled by six mighty dragons, was awe-inspiring. Before the sun ascended the dragon chariot, Xihe would bathe it in the Xianchi, a magical pool capable of washing away all dust and fatigue.

In addition to bathing the suns in the Xianchi, Xihe often took her children to bathe in the Sweet Abyss, located across the southeastern seas. The waters of the Sweet Abyss were sweet and crystal clear, ensuring that the suns were clean and radiant. Whenever they bathed in the Sweet Abyss, the entire sky would become brighter and more brilliant.