Analysis of Shanhaijing Elements in Ancient Chinese Mythological Animated Films

Abstract

Ancient Chinese mythology plays an important role in the classic work of Shanhaijing. This thesis aims to explore the inheritance and innovation of mythological elements in animated films by analysing the elements of Shanhaijing in ancient Chinese mythological animated films. Through the observation and study of several ancient mythological animated films, this paper finds that the elements of Shanhaijing have been widely used in animated films, such as the portrayal of birds and beasts, mountains and rivers, gods and immortals, and other images. In addition, the animated films have also adapted and created the Shanhaijing stories, incorporating them into new storylines to meet the needs of modern audiences for animated films. This paper argues that the success and popularity of animated films based on ancient myths is due to the use and re-creation of the elements of the Shanhaijing, which makes these ancient myths take on a new vitality.