“The Odyssey” by Lan Xin

Lan Xin (Lan Xin)

World Memory Heritage The Only Female Inheritor of Dongba Culture, International Renowned Writer & Poet. Internationally acclaimed bilingual writer, poet and translator, member of the Chinese Writers Association. The only female inheritor of UNESCO-listed Dongba Culture, International Disseminator of Dongba Culture and practitioner of Chinese culture’s global outreach. Winner of the Italian Francesco Giampietri International Literary Award, President of Lanxin Samei Academy and Dean of Yulong Wenbi Dongba Culture Academy.

Eva Lianou Petropoulou
Αποκλειστικη Eκπρόσωπος για την Ελλάδα για την προώθηση της πολιτιστικής κληρονομιάς – Dongba Culture Κίνα

Epics Bridge Mountains and Seas, Civilizations Share the Same Spirit
—Reflections on the Resonance Between Eastern and Western Ancient Civilizations after Watching The Odyssey by Lan Xin (Lanxin Samei)

Today, in a cinema in China, I revisited The Odyssey, the immortal Western classic epic.
Composed and compiled by the ancient Greek poet Homer in the 8th century B.C., The Odyssey carries the profound civilisation heritage of ancient Greece. It stands as one of the fountain heads of Western literature and spiritual thought. Across centuries and continents, the epic explores universal themes of wandering, tribulation, spiritual awakening, home coming and redemption. Its wisdom continues to shine brightly in the long river of world civilisation.
Watching the film, I was deeply moved by its grand scenes: the solemn sacrificial rituals, solemn conversations with the underworld, and trials imposed by fate. The hero endured countless hardships across vast seas.

Upholding his promises, holding deep affection for his family and beloved, and staying firmly committed to his journey home, he finally returned to his homeland and attained spiritual fulfilment.
The film reveals the ancient Greek people’s reverence for heaven, earth and all living beings. It conveys the eternal law that actions bring consequences. It manifests the ancients’ commitment to promises, cherishment of deep affections, perseverance amid sufferings, devotion to family and beloved ones, and unwavering faith to return home.
As I watched, my thoughts travelled across mountains and seas to Lijiang in the East, to the profound Dongba civilisation.

What strikes me profoundly is that these spiritual themes and narrative archetypes share striking parallels and echoes with the three canonical epics of Dongba civilisation: The Genesis, The Battle of Black and White and Luban Lura. This timeless resonance, separated by thousands of kilometres and centuries, confirms that ancient human civilisations are interconnected and share a common origin.
The core spirit of redemption: to survive hardships, break through confusion, awaken the soul and return to one’s true self, alongside the dedication to loved ones, promises and the homeland, creates a perfect cross time and space echo with the journey of Odysseus, who wandered afar, endured trials, overcame obstacles, honoured his commitments and clung fast to what he cherished before returning to his true self and homeland.

Whether it is the three great epics passed down by the Naxi ancestors in the East or Homer’s epic inherited in ancient Greece, the ultimate pursuit of all ancient civilisations always centres on reverence for heaven and earth, respect for all living beings, perseverance through hardships, loyalty to one’s original heart, keeping promises, treasuring deep affections, striving towards light and attaining fulfilment.
Inspired by this civilisational resonance over the years, I have devoted myself to in depth research of Dongba ancient scriptures. I have read and verified the texts word by word, communicating with the wisdom of ancestors across time and space. It has taken me years to complete the systematic re translation and reconstruction of the three major Dongba epics.

Jointly translated by myself and my Dongba master, Aheng Dongta, the 17th generation Dongba inheritor and UN recognised tutor of Dongba culture, this collection of the three Dongba epics, published by the Dongba Culture Academy, is now under the editorial review of a major national level publishing house in China. This landmark trilingual edition presents the complete original texts in Dongba hieroglyphs, Chinese and English, faithfully restoring the panorama of this ancient Eastern epic.

Scheduled for official release in the first half of next year and presented at international book fairs, this treasure of ancient Eastern civilisation will step out of the mountains to meet the world’s ancient epics on an equal footing, conveying the unique Eastern philosophy of life and cosmic wisdom.
Watching the epic, my heart is filled with gratitude. Moved by this resonance of Eastern Western civilisations, I think fondly of my dear media partners far away in Greece. I sincerely thank the well known international journal POLIS Magazine for continuously publishing my works. My gratitude goes to Mr. Michael Goniotakis, CEO of POLIS Magazine, and Eva Lianou Petropoulou, Head of the International Edition of POLIS Magazine, as well as all Greek media friends who have shared my voice.

Thanks to your kindness, long term recognition and support that transcend mountains and seas, Chinese culture, Eastern spiritual philosophy and Dongba civilisation have been brought to a global audience. It is you who light up the encounter and mutual understanding between ancient Eastern wisdom and splendid Greek civilisation.
Odysseus’ voyage was the home coming of soul and flesh. The inheritance and exchange of civilisations, however, is an endless spiritual voyage.
May epics endure forever, civilisations thrive, and China Greece friendship last through the ages.