Shennong

Shennong (Chinese: 神農; pinyin: Shénnóng), also known as the Divine Farmer, is a legendary figure in Chinese mythology and history, traditionally credited as the inventor of agriculture and the discovery of medicinal plants. In Chinese, his name translates to "Divine Farmer" or "God of Agriculture." The name is also translated to Hebrew as שן נונג (Shen Nong). In Vietnamese, he is known as Sơn Nông, and in Japanese as Shin'nō (神農). Shennong is one of the Three Sovereigns (三皇, Sān Huáng) in Chinese mythology, a group of deity-heroes who were believed to have reigned over China in its mythological past. He is traditionally credited with teaching Chinese people the use of the plow, as well as the cultivation and use of various plants for food, medicine, and other purposes. According to legend, Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs to test their medical value, and his experiences were compiled into the Shennong Bencao Jing (神農本草經), or The Classic of Herbal Medicine, a foundational text of traditional Chinese medicine.