[Shén Nóng, why not Nóng Shén?].
In the Chinese language, the word order of 'modifier+modifiee' indicates a Northern origin whereas the order of 'modifiee+modifier' reflects Southern dialects. Shén Nóng, a Chinese mythical diety, is known as an originator of herbal medicines as well as of agriculture, and his name ('modifiee+modifier') clearly suggests a Southern type. This linguistic feature can be related to depiction of Shén Nóng's life which implies a Southern origin. Shén Nóng must have already been so named in the era of Shang dynasty which preceeded the Xia culture of Southern origin. The myth of Shén Nóng may be ethnically of the people of the South.
Uchibayashi
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D002681:China; D005495:Folklore; D049690:History, Ancient; D009229:Mythology; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000266:history*; D012068:Religion and Medicine