Tradition: Chinese Mythology
Alternative Names: 夸父, Kuafu-shi, 夸父氏, Clan of Kuafu
Category: Giant
The Myth
Kuafu is a giant in Chinese mythology, a grandson of Houtu, who became famous for his attempt to capture the Sun. Determined to catch the celestial body, he pursued it across the sky, following its course from east to west. His extraordinary strength and ambition allowed him to cross vast distances, but his quest exposed him to the Sun’s overwhelming heat and left him desperately thirsty.
During his pursuit, Kuafu drank the waters of the Yellow River and the Wei River, along with other rivers and lakes that lay along his path. Even these immense sources of water could not quench his thirst. He continued searching for more water, but before he could satisfy his need, he died of dehydration. His failed attempt to seize the Sun became one of the best-known stories of perseverance and the limits of mortal strength.
After Kuafu’s death, the wooden club he carried transformed into a vast forest of peach trees known as the Deng Forest. In another version of the legend, Kuafu himself became a mountain range. Both the peach forest and the mountain range are associated with the area of present-day Lingbao in China. His transformation ensures that his journey leaves a lasting mark on the landscape, even though he never achieved his original goal.
The name Kuafu can also refer to the Kuafu-shi, or Clan of Kuafu, whose people appear in accounts of ancient tribal conflicts. During the Battle of Banquan, the tribes allied with Chi You joined forces with the Kuafu tribe and the Sanmiao tribe to attack the tribe of the Yan Emperor, driving it into the lands of the Yellow Emperor. In modern Chinese usage, the expression Kuafu chasing the Sun (夸父追日) describes someone who pursues an ambitious goal with courage and determination, but overestimates their abilities and ultimately fails to achieve it.
Sources
“Kuafu.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 16, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuafu