From 'World Genesis Book'
(retold by Sarah Steele).

A myth of the Ancient Chinese

In the beginning there was an egg and nothing else. The egg was the universe but there were no heavens and no earth, just darkness. From the darkness, the first creature was born. His name was Pangu and he slept in the darkness for many thousands of years. Over these years he grew and grew until eventually he was a giant and was so big that he awoke and broke the egg. All of the light parts flew up and became the sky and all of the heavy parts sank and became the Earth. Pangu was frightened that they would connect so he pushed them apart. Once he had finished he was so weak that he began to die.

As he died his body began to change and his breath became the wind and clouds and his voice the thunder. His eyes became the sun and moon and his limbs the mountains and valleys. His blood formed the rivers and seas and his hair became the plants and trees. His bones changed to become rocks and his sweat became the rain and dew. The parasites on his body became all the animals and ancestors of mankind. Read it yourself in [ Chinese ]

The PanGu story has become firmly fixed in Chinese tradition. There is even a saying relating to it: 'Since Pan Gu created earth and the heavens', meaning 'for a very long time'. Nevertheless, it is rather a latecomer to the catalogue of Chinese legends. The first mention of it is in a book on Chinese myths written by Xu Zheng in the Three Kingdoms period (AD 220-265). Some opinions hold that it originated in south China or Southeast Asia.

People of the Yao Nationality hold various celebrations to commemorate their ancestor King Pan on October, 16th of the Chinese lunar calendar each year. The Yao or Iu Mien of the United States also celebrate this same day in the Pacific West, particularly, California, Oregon, and Washington state.

In south China and in the United States, 'PanGu' is known as King Pan ~ Temples and pavilions were being built in his honour. The public memorial ceremony worships King Pan of the Yao Nationality in Fuchuan Yao Autonomous County, Southwest China, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and in Guangdong province as well.