Mythology and religion Not only have the various poems or prose-poems influenced subsequent literature, but the contents of this material are a major primary source for historical information about the culture and religious beliefs in the territorial area of the former Kingdom of Chu. Some sections of the Chu songs consist of especially dense mythological material, such as the "Heavenly Questions". More general religious or philosophical questions such as regarding the existence of soul or spirit receive some poetic treatment in the Chu ci. Beasts and beings Information on mythological beings in early Chinese mythology is often based upon references from the Chu ci as one of a few surviving primary sources from ancient times: among which are references to the ambiguously horned dragon (qiulong), crocodilian dragon (jiaolong), the immortal xian and zhenren of later Daoist fame, the giant bashe serpent, the hong rainbow dragon, the feilong flying dragon, and the zhulong Torch Dragon. Also, information of the meaning of and in regard to the Chinese characters used for the teng, the shi and chi also has been derived from the Chu ci as a primary source. Myths The myths of Nüwa, Tian, the ancient sovereign Shun, and the Great Flood are among those importantly receiving treatment in the Chu ci material. Among these are materials relating to the Xiang River goddesses and the legendary tale of how spotted bamboo got its spots. Shamanism The contents of the Chu ci material are a major primary source for historical information about the culture and religious beliefs in the territorial area of the former Kingdom of Chu. The beliefs reflected in these poems seem to be related to the beliefs of the preceding Shang and the Zhou dynasties; but, yet to have retained indications of shamanistic practices. Themes of flight or excursion are typical of shamanism and are frequently encountered throughout the Chu ci verses. Both "Encountering Sorrow" and the "Nine Songs" share a floral symbolism together with flights through the air involving intimate meetings with divine beings. Later history The Chuci material, or at least some of it, has been a major influence on Classical Chinese poetry in multiple genres. It has also been translated into a number of other languages, including English, which has extended its influence even further. Prominence The Chu ci never became a canonical work, not in the sense as did the Shi Jing. As David Hawkes