Pangu: The Narcissism of the Nation Standing Tall Between Heaven and Earth

Introduction: A Giant Trapped in a Giant Egg

The story of ‘Pangu,’ which marks the beginning of Chinese mythology, is overwhelming in its scale. The narrative of a giant sleeping in a huge egg named Chaos waking up, splitting the world with an axe, and transforming his body into all things after death shows the magnificent pride flowing at the base of Chinese civilization.

From a psychoanalytic perspective, the Pangu myth can be interpreted as a projection of ‘collective narcissism’ and the ‘grandiose self’ in the process of a civilization being formed, beyond simply explaining the origin of the world.

1. Birth of the Grandiose Self: Pride Splitting Heaven and Earth

Pangu grew between heaven and earth when they were not yet separated. Heaven rose by one foot every day, the earth became thicker by one foot every day, and Pangu also grew every day accordingly.

• Projection of Omnipotence: This reflects the state of ‘primary narcissism’ where an infant believes they are expanding the world with their own power. The belief that the world broadens as much as I grow is the archetype of powerful self-esteem that regards one’s existence as the center of the universe and the incarnation of order.
• Psychological Roots of ‘Zhonghua’ (Central Brilliance): The psychological energy with which the Chinese people call themselves the center of the world can be seen as originating from this image of ‘Pangu standing tall alone between heaven and earth.‘

2. Physical Decomposition and Creation of All Things: Expansion of the Ego

Pangu met his death and transformed his eyes into the sun and moon, his breath into wind and clouds, and his bones into metal and rock.

• Narcissistic Expansion: Psychoanalytically, this means the boundary of the ego expands to the entire universe. The narrative that my death is not the end but the whole world becomes a part of me contains the human unconscious desire to overcome the fear of death and dream of ‘eternal life.’
• The World as an Object: For the descendants of Pangu, nature is no longer an other to be conquered, but a part of ‘my roots and body.’ This feeling of oneness acts as a powerful psychological mechanism that strengthens cohesion within the group.

3. Lonely Creator: Narcissistic Isolation and Responsibility

Pangu was holding up the sky alone for 18,000 years. This lonely struggle symbolizes the ‘narcissistic responsibility’ that a leader or a founder of a civilization must bear.

• Isolated Hero: The pain of having to maintain the world solely with one’s own power in a state where there is no relationship with others is the loneliness that the ego aiming for greatness inevitably faces. Pangu’s silence shows the height of ‘self-reliant narcissism’ where one can stand on their own without any external help.

Conclusion: Pangu Also Lives Within You

The Pangu myth instills in us powerful self-assurance: “You are the universe, and your will is supporting the world.”

Of course, excessive narcissism can harm relationships with others. However, ‘healthy narcissism’ that can protect me in front of the rough waves of life is absolutely necessary. Today, wake up the Pangu within your heart. The perspective from which you view the world is creating your universe. You are the dignified protagonist of the myth that is your life.

In the next post, through the hero ‘Hou Yi’ who met a tragic end by overestimating his abilities, we will look at the psychology of depression and loss.