[2] In Chinese mythology, there were originally 10 suns; in some forms of this myth they are the sons or grandsons of the Jade Emperor.

[3] In other variants, Hou Yi's final arrow was stolen, either by a brave boy or by Emperor Yao himself, who realized that the land requires a sun.

[4][5] Hou Yi was also known for the slaying, maiming and imprisonment of several other mythical beasts such as the Yayu, Zaochi, Jiuying, Dafeng, Fengxi, and Xiushe.

[8] The Heavenly Questions section of the anthology Chu Ci recorded: "The Emperor sent Hou Yi to reform the people of Xia.

However, he also became arrogant and tyrannical, and he eventually killed Hebo, the god of Yellow River and took his wife Luoshen as his own.

[9][10] Hou Yi was also depicted as a tribal leader of ancient China in classical sources, usually conflated with the legendary figure.

In the eighth year of the reign of Taikang's nephew Xiang of Xia,[2] Hou Yi was deposed by his lieutenant Han Zhuo.