“The Shanhaijing,” also known as “The Classic of Mountains and Seas,” stands as a revered treasure within ancient Chinese literature, captivating generations with its enigmatic tales and mythical allure. This ancient text, believed to have emerged during the Han dynasty, offers a rich tapestry of mythic geography, legendary creatures, and cultural insights.
Comprising eighteen sections, this compilation unravels over 550 mountains, 300 channels, and a plethora of mesmerizing narratives. Its essence transcends mere geographical descriptions, weaving together a vibrant mosaic of pre-Qin China’s cultural heritage and captivating Chinese mythology.
Debates surrounding its authorship have persisted for centuries, ranging from attributions to figures like Yu the Great and Boyi to speculations about the book’s origins during the Warring States period. This enduring mystery adds an intriguing layer to its mystique.
Beyond its geographical accounts, “The Shanhaijing” offers a glimpse into ancient Chinese beliefs, spiritualism, and the fantastical realm, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of Chinese literary heritage. Its legacy endures as an invaluable source for understanding ancient Chinese culture, mythology, and the intriguing fusion of reality and fantasy within the annals of history.
In the mountains, there is a bird that looks like an owl. It has a human face, four eyes, and ears. Its name is 顒(Yu). The sound it makes is like it is calling its own name. Whenever it appears, there will be a drought in the world.
又東四百裏，曰令丘之山，無草木，多火。其南有谷焉，曰中谷，條風自是出。有鳥焉，其狀如梟，人面四目而有耳，其名曰顒，其鳴自號也，見則天下大旱。
《山海經 南次三經》
There is a bird that looks like a hawk, but it has human hands. Its voice sounds like the buzzing of a fly. Its name is 鴸(Zhu). It calls out, as if it is calling its own name. Wherever this bird appears, many people in that county will be exiled.
有鳥焉，其狀如鴟而人手，其音如痺，其名曰鴸，其鳴自號也，見則其縣多放士。
《山海經 南次二經》
In the mountains, there is a mythical creature that looks like a water bird. It has a white head, three legs, and a human face. Its name is 瞿如(Quru). The sound it makes is like it is calling its own name.
東五百裏，曰禱過之山，其上多金玉，其下多犀、兕，多象。有鳥焉，其狀如䴔而白首、三足、人面，其名曰瞿如，其鳴自號也。
《山海經 南次三經》
蠪蛭(Longzhi) lives in the mountains. It has a body similar to a fox, with nine tails, nine heads, and tiger claws. Its cry sounds like a baby crying, and it can eat people.
又南五百裏，曰鳧麗之山，其上多金玉，其下多箴石。有獸焉，其狀如狐而九尾、九首、虎爪，名曰蠪蛭，其音如嬰兒，是食人。
《山海經 東次二經》
𝕏𝕚𝕖 [犭颉]Xie: Its appearance is like that of a hunting dog with scales, and its fur is like a pig’s mane.
又西一百二十裏，曰厘山，其陽多玉，其陰多蒐。有獸焉，其狀如牛，蒼身，其音如嬰兒，是食人，其名曰犀渠。滽滽之水出焉，而南流註於伊水。有獸焉，名曰[犭頡(左右)]，其狀如獳犬而有鱗，其毛如彘鬣。
《山海經 中次四經》
In the country of Lin(林氏國), there lived a rare beast. It was as big as a tiger, with a colorful body and a tail longer than its body. The beast was named Zouwu(騶虞), and riding it could allow one to travel a thousand miles in a day.
林氏國有珍獸，大若虎，五采畢具，尾長於身，名曰騶虞(騶吾)，乘之日行千裏。
《山海經 海內北經》
[向鳥][付鳥](Changfu) is a bird that lives in the mountains. It looks like a chicken, but it has three heads, six eyes, six legs, and three wings. If a person eats its meat, they will no longer want to sleep.
「又東三百裏，曰基山，其陽多玉，其陰多怪木。有獸焉，其狀如羊，九尾四耳，其目在背，其名曰猼，佩之不畏。有鳥焉，其狀如雞而三首、六目、六足、三翼，其名曰[向鳥(左右)][付鳥(左右)]，食之無臥。」 ～
《山海經 南山一經》
In the mountains, there is a beast called 猙(Zheng). It looks like a red leopard, with five tails and one horn. It makes a sound like the sound of striking stones.
《山海經·西次三經》
又西二百八十裏，曰章莪之山，無草木，多瑤、碧。所為甚怪。有獸焉，其狀如赤豹，五尾一角，其音如擊石，其名如猙。
舉父(Ju fu) looks like a monkey. It has markings on its arms, a tail like a leopard, and is good at jumping. It has a habit of stroking its own head. It can pick up stones and throw them. Even tigers and leopards are afraid of it.
《山海經·西山經》
有獸焉，其狀如禺而文臂，豹虎而善投，名曰舉父。
