SHENNONG

Shennong was a legendary ruler of China and cultural hero of Chinese mythology who is believed to have lived 5,000 years ago, and taught ancient China the practices of agriculture.

Appropriately, his name means “the Divine Farmer.” Considered the father of Chinese agriculture, this legendary emperor taught his people how to cultivate grains as food, so as to avoid killing animals. He is also venerated as the Father of Chinese medicine and is believed to have introduced the technique of acupuncture. Shennong is credited with identifying hundreds of medical herbs by personally testing their properties.