Nature and Animal Words in Chinese

Before we get to the vocab, let me tell you about the weirdest family in Chinese mythology: the weather family. There’s 雷公雷公 (léigōng, Thunder Father), 電母电母 (diànmǔ, Lightning Mother), 風伯风伯 (fēngbó, Uncle Wind), 雲童云童 (yúntóng, Cloud Child) — and then, randomly, 雨師雨师 (yǔshī, Master Rain), who nobody can quite explain. He’s not related to anyone — he just showed up one day and got adopted into the pantheon, no questions asked.

The real drama, though, is between Thunder Father and Lightning Mother — they’re married. Which is awkward, because the story goes that Thunder Father accidentally killed her back when she was still human, and the king of the gods just… told them to get married afterward. No apology tour, no counseling, straight to marriage. Ever since, right before he lets a bolt of thunder fly, Lightning Mother flashes her mirrors across the sky first — basically a heads-up so he doesn’t zap the wrong person again. Chinese mythology doesn’t do subtle.

Random fact before we wrap up: there’s an actual breed called the Taiwan Dog. My own dog is one — her name is Heilulu, and she’s sweet and affectionate, but also a total scaredy-cat (scaredy-dog?).

Walk around Taiwan and you’ll spot Taiwan Dogs everywhere. Most are strays, but they’re friendly and easygoing, so there’s no need to be nervous if one wanders up to say hi while you’re out exploring.