Chinese Mythical Beasts Go Digital

The seminar provided an exploration into the resurgence of Chinese mythology in the digital age, highlighting how modern technology is breathing new life into ancient tales. Central to the discussion were mythical beings from the revered Chinese text, Shan Hai Jing (The Classic of Mountains and Seas), specifically Qiongqi and the Nine-tailed Fox. These legendary creatures have been reimagined and brought to the forefront of contemporary culture through online Chinese literature and various visual media platforms. The seminar emphasized the transformative role of generative AI tools, such as Midjourney, Baidu’s Erniebot, ChatGPT, and Kimi, in reshaping the portrayal of these mythical figures. By leveraging the capabilities of these advanced AI technologies, content creators are able to produce vivid and imaginative representations that captivate modern audiences.

The seminar examined the depiction of Qiongqi and the Nine-tailed Fox in online Chinese literature, films, and TV dramas. These two figures have emerged as prominent characters, capturing the fascination of audiences and contributing to the popularity of the genre. The seminar also featured a comparative analysis of AI-generated images of these creatures with their portrayals in highly acclaimed Chinese dramas, such as Eternal Love (also known as Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms). This drama, which has amassed over 50 billion views since its release in 2017, serves as a benchmark for the visual representation of Chinese mythology in contemporary media. Additionally, the seminar further encouraged students to creatively write prompts to imagine Chinese mythical beings with AI tools. Through this comparative examination with various AIGC tools, the seminar underscored the dynamic interplay between ancient mythology and cutting-edge technology, illustrating how the digital age is fostering a renewed appreciation and creation for Chinese cultural heritage.