Goumang was a descendant of Shaohao, the god of spring and of vegetation and farming in mythology

Goumang is the god of spring and the god of wood in ancient Chinese mythology. According to tradition he was a descendant of Shaohao, and one account gives his name as Zhong. The Zuo Zhuan records that someone from the Shaohao clan held the office of Goumang, which shows that Goumang came from the Shaohao line and was closely tied to the eastern bird-totem tribes; it was a divine office passed down through the generations of this branch.

As for his appearance, the Classic of Mountains and Seas describes Goumang as having a bird's body and a human face, riding two dragons, a deity who dwells in the east. In ancient texts he is often mentioned together with Taihao, that is Fuxi; Taihao is the emperor of the east and Goumang is his assisting deity, and the two together govern the east and spring, so Goumang is also regarded as a symbol of the sun and of the life force of the east.

As the god of spring, Goumang governs the sprouting of plants and the growth of crops, and is deeply connected with Chinese farming culture. In ancient times there was a custom of welcoming spring at the Beginning of Spring; officials and common people alike offered sacrifices to Goumang, also called Mangshen, and held ceremonies such as whipping the spring ox, praying for favorable weather and a bumper harvest in the new year. Goumang thus became a sign urging the start of farm work.

Today, in traditional New Year pictures, paper cuttings and spring-welcoming activities in some places, one can still see images of Mangshen appearing together with the spring ox. Understanding whose descendant Goumang was and the story of his origins helps one understand the cultural meaning of praying for a good harvest behind farming customs such as welcoming spring at the Beginning of Spring and whipping the spring ox.