Ancient Legends

Ancient Legends
Promotional poster art
Also known asTales of the Past
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese遠古的傳說
Simplified Chinese远古的传说
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYuángǔ Dè Chuánshuō
GenreChinese mythology, fantasy
Written byShui Nengchen
Qin Shi
Song Jinchuan
Directed byWu Chia-tai
Lin Jianzhong
Creative directorGao Jianmin
Presented byZhong Jianhua
Zhang Hua
Ma Runsheng
Xiong Cheng
Jiang Po
Zhu Ziyun
Cui Shuwen
StarringVincent Chiao
Wen Qing
Ding Jun
Liao Jingsheng
Liu Dekai
Annie Wu
Liu Jia
Theme music composerFu Disheng
Zhang Qing
Opening themeCangqiong (苍穹) performed by Fu Disheng
Ending themeHuaxia Zhi Ge (华夏之歌) performed by Zhang Qing
ComposerLiu Tianhua
Country of originChina
Original languageMandarin
No. of episodes40
Production
Executive producersZhang Yong
Zhang Ping
Tang Mingxia
Zhou Zhuang
Yang Rui
Deng Bin
Shi Kesheng
Peng Deqing
ProducersZhou Wen
Zhang Haichao
Yu Xiangdang
Xiao Lijun
Cui Shuwen
Zhang Linlin
Zhang Jinfeng
Chen Gaohong
Li Renjie
Xiong Cheng
Jiang Po
Wu Dandan
Shao Xiang
Production locationChina
CinematographyGao Jianmin
EditorPeng Jingquan
Camera setupLi Xinmin
Bai Yongcheng
Running time45 minutes per episode
Production companies
  • China International Television Corporation
  • CCTV Cultural Centre Film and TV Department
  • China Film and TV Production
  • Beijing Dongfang Quanjing Media
Original release
NetworkCCTV-1
Release15 August (2010-08-15) –
6 September 2010 (2010-09-06)

Ancient Legends is a Chinese television series based on the myths and legends associated with the origins of the Chinese civilisation. It is based on stories in Chinese mythology and the ancient classic Shan Hai Jing. The series was first broadcast in mainland China on CCTV-1 from 15 August – 6 September 2010.

Plot

The story is based on the myths and legends associated with the origins of the Chinese civilization and the earliest part of Chinese history under the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. After Pangu split Heaven and Earth and Nüwa created humankind, the world has been facing a plague. The Flower Goddess (the Jade Emperor's younger sister) and Shennong travel around China in search of a cure. They eventually sow the seeds of Heaven on Earth, causing flowers to blossom throughout the land, thus saving humankind. The plot also integrates other stories from Chinese mythology, such as Nüwa repairing the sky and Houyi shooting down nine suns.

Cast

  • Vincent Chiao as Shennong
  • Wen Qing as Flower Goddess
  • Ding Jun as Yellow Emperor
  • Liao Jingsheng as Jade Emperor
  • Liu Dekai as Fu Xi
  • Annie Wu as Second Fairy
  • Liu Jia as Nüwa
  • Zhou Zhong as Gong Gong
  • Zhao Hongfei as Demonic Emperor / Dragon Crown Prince
  • Han Dong as Chi You
  • Ma Xiaohua as Kua Fu
  • Xu Yun as Ruoxi
  • Yi Kun as Rushou
  • Duan Qiuxu as Erlang Shen
  • Gao Yuqing as Taibai Jinxing
  • Wang Xiuqiang as Taishang Laojun
  • Wang Yunchao as Houyi
  • Li Bo as Zhao Xuanlang
  • Zhang Chunyan as Python Spirit (Red Lady)
  • Bai Yun as Baoniang
  • Li Xiaofeng as Du Kang
  • Yang Jincheng as Jumang
  • Song Yang as Zhu Rong
  • Wang Yijian as Fenghou
  • Duan Weiping as Yinglong
  • Wang Ke as Fifth Fairy
  • Chen Jie as Sixth Fairy
  • Liu Ran as Seventh Fairy
  • Wang Wenlin as Eldest Fairy
  • Zhou Xiang as Third Fairy
  • Sun Yanan as Fourth Fairy
  • Chen Sanmu as Tu Di Gong
  • Zhao Zhonghua as Limu
  • Dai Xiaoxu as Cangjie
  • Chi Huaqiong as Queen Mother
  • Zang Xiuyun as Nüba
  • Yue Ding as Kitchen God
  • Yang Xiaodan as Kitchen Goddess
  • Qiang Gaopeng as Xuanming
  • Li Yuan as God of Plague
  • Xu Rongjing as Lele
  • Hong Zhibin as Liaoliao
  • Wang Minghao as Azure Dragon
  • Sun Hao as White Tiger
  • Zhang Heng as Vermilion Bird
  • Li Yang as Xuan Wu
  • Liu Zhengliang as Teng
  • Wang Haocheng as Fengmeng
  • Hou Yong as Yinlingzi
  • Wei Chenfei as Yuerou
  • Zhong Bo as Yuqiang
  • Ma Zijun as Dragon King
  • Fang Yuan as Chang'e
  • Zhu Jianfeng as Shentu
  • Li Yuan as Yulei
  • Sun Jiaolong as Xing Tian
  • Chen Chen as Pixiu
  • Yin Shuo as Count of Wind
  • Huang Heng as Master of Rain
  • Gao Rui as Mujue

Alternate titles

Alternate titles for the series include:

  • Tales of the Past
  • Huaxia Yanyi (华夏演义; 華夏演義; Huáxià Yǎnyì; 'Romance of Huaxia')
  • Chuanshuo (传说; 傳說; Chuán Shuō; 'Legends')
  • Tiannü Sanhua (天女散花; Tiānnǚ Sǎnhuā; 'The Celestial Lady Scatters Flowers')