Nüwa Creates Humans

Molding Humans from Clay

With heaven and earth new and no people yet, Nüwa molded humans from yellow earth; when she tired she flicked mud from a rope, and so rich and poor alike were born.

Fengsu Tongyi records: "After heaven and earth were opened there were as yet no people, so Nüwa molded humans from yellow earth. The work was heavy and her strength failed; so she drew a rope through the mud and lifted it, and the drops became people. Thus the noble are of yellow earth, and the poor and common are of mud."