The Parallels Between the Classic Mountain and Sea and the Spirited Away Creatures
There are parallels between the classic mountain and sea creatures of the seas and the host of spirit creatures that come to the spirit bathhouse in the animated film Spirited Away. In the classic of mountain and sea creatures, Zheng is a beast creature that came from Chinese mythology and is believed to have lived among the creatures of China. Zheng resembles a leopard with one horn protruding from its forehead. According to Birrell (2000), the Zheng creature was red and had five tails. In addition, the Zheng produced a sound similar to that of striking stones. Contrary, the host of spirit creatures in the animated film, like Zeniba, which is a spirited witch from the spirit bathhouse, symbolizes greed, uprightness, and heartlessness. In contrast to Zheng, Zeniba has a bright color, representing cuteness and eeriness. According to Miyazaki (2002), Zeniba is covered with white fur from head to toe while wearing a sake ball on the head. However, Zeniba and Zheng are similar as they teach about good and evil while existing in the same person.
Secondly, the classic mountains and seas present the Gudiao creature, which is said to be a bird that originated from the early bestiaries of China. Gudiao lived in the sands and classic mountains of old China. In the seas, Gudiao resembled an eagle with horns on its head and never flew while producing the sound of a crying baby (Birrell, 2000). In spirit ways, the animated film presents the Yubaba creature believed to be a giant-headed witch running the bathhouse (Miyazaki, 2002). Unlike Gudiao, with horns and without the ability to fly, Yubaba flies mainly for secret missions, resembling a military plane. Similarly, Gudiao and Yubaba are linked to living in the mountains.
The Parallels Between the Classic of Mountains and Seas Creatures and the Epic of Gilgamesh Creatures
Parallels exist between the creatures of the classic mountains and seas, such as Zhulong and Kirin, and the creatures of the epic of Gilgamesh, such as Humbaba and Enkidu. Their parallels are described in pairs based on appearance, color, depiction, and symbolism. In the first pair of Zhulong and Humbaba, the classic of mountains and seas, Zhulong is presented as a giant solar dragon and God in the mythology of China (Birrell, 2000). Zhulong is believed to have a face resembling a human being and a body resembling that of a snake, which is red. The red color is found everywhere during the Chinese New Year; thus, the red in Zhulong’s body symbolizes luck and joy. In contrast, the epic of Gilgamesh involves Humbaba as the monster creature who is responsible for guarding the sacred cedar grove. Humbaba is a giant whose face contains folds to such an extent that it resembles a human’s intestines (George, 1999). Also, Humbaba is presented with claws and teeth and the hairy mane of a lion. Similarly, both Zhulong and Humbaba comprise a head that is not shown in profile and is always full frontal. In addition, Zhulong and Humbaba are considered dragons because of their extraordinary characteristics like
Another pair of parallel characters include Kirin in the classic of mountains and seas and Enkidu in the epic of Gilgamesh creatures. Kirin is regarded as a chimerical beast that resembles a deer with scales covering its body like a dragon. According to Birrell (2000), Kirin has a tail resembling an ox and a flowing mane. The body and mane of Kirin are covered with brilliant holy fire, while its face represents utter serenity. Contrary to Kirin, Enkidu appears as a bold and strong man created by God to provide equal strength to Gilgamesh (George, 1999). In terms of color, the color of Kirin is aquamarine, while Enkidu has a green color palette. Finally, in the classic of mountains and seas, Kirin symbolizes an association with fertility, while Enkidu symbolizes the natural and non-civilized work in Gilgamesh. Similarly, Kirin and Enkidu are unisex creatures, given that they have combined male and female characteristics.
References
Birrell, A. (2000). The classic of mountains and seas. Penguin.
George, A. (1999). The Epic of Gilgamesh. Oxford University Press.
Miyazaki, H. (2002). The Art of Spirited Away. Viz Graphic Novels. Web.