山海經·海外南經 Classic of Regions Beyond the Southern Seas

What earth bears, within the six directions and within the four seas, is illumined by the sun and moon, measured by the stars, ordered by the four seasons, and regulated by the Great Year. Spirits give birth to all things of wondrous forms, some short-lived and some long-lived; only the sage can comprehend their way.

The regions beyond the seas, from the southwest corner to the southeast corner:

The Country of the Tied-Chest People lies in the southwest; its people have protruding, knotted chests.

Mount Nan lies to its southeast. From this mountain onwards, insects become serpents and serpents are called fish. Another version says Mount Nan is southeast of Tied-Chest. The Paired-Wing Birds dwell to its east; they are blue-green and red, flying only with joined wings. Another version says they are east of Mount Nan.

The Country of the Feathered People lies to its southeast; its people have elongated heads and feathers growing on their bodies. Another version says they are southeast of the Paired-Wing Birds, having long cheeks.

There are sixteen divine beings with joined arms, keeping night watch for the Sovereign in this wilderness. They are east of the Feathered People; they are small people with red cheeks and red shoulders, sixteen in all.

The Bifang Bird dwells to their east, west of the Blue River; this bird has a single foot. Another version says it is east of the Sixteen Gods.

The Country of the Huantou People lies to its south; its people have human faces with wings and bird beaks, actively catching fish. Another version says it is east of the Bifang, also called the Country of Huanzhu.

The Country of the Fire-Eating People lies to its south; they have beast-like black bodies, and live fire emerges from their mouths. Another version says it is east of Huanzhu.

The Three-Trunk Tree lies north of Fire-Eating, growing beside the Red River; it resembles a cypress whose leaves are all pearls. Another version says the tree resembles a comet.

The Country of Sanmiao lies east of the Red River; its people walk following one another. Another version calls it the Country of Three-Haired People.

The Country of Zhi lies to its east; its people are yellow and skilled at shooting serpents with bows. Another version says the Country of Zhi is east of Three-Haired.

The Country of the Pierced-Chest People lies to its east; its people have holes through their chests. Another version says it is east of the Country of Zhi.

The Country of the Crossed-Shin People lies to its east; its people have crossed shins. Another version says it is east of Pierced-Chest.

The Undying People lie to its east; its people are black and long-lived, never dying. Another version says they are east of the Country of Pierced-Chest.

The Country of the Reversed-Tongue People lies to its east; its people have reversed tongues. Another version says the Branch-Tongue Country is east of the Undying People.

The Ruins of Kunlun lie to its east, square in shape. Another version says they are east of Reversed-Tongue, a square mound.

Yi battled Chisel-Tooth on the wilderness of Shouhua, and Yi shot and killed him. This was east of the Ruins of Kunlun. Yi held a bow and arrows, while Chisel-Tooth held a shield. Another version says he held a dagger-axe.

The Country of the Three-Headed People lies to its east; its people have one body and three heads. Another version says it is east of Chisel-Tooth.

The Country of the Zhourao People lies to its east; its people are tiny in stature, wearing caps and sashes. Another version says the Jiaoyao Country is east of Three-Headed.

The Country of the Long-Armed People lies to its east, catching fish in the water, holding a fish in each hand. Another version says they are east of Jiaoyao, catching fish in the sea.

Mount Di: Sovereign Yao is buried on its south side, and Sovereign Ku on its north side. Here dwell bears, brown bears, striped tigers, monkeys, leopards, Lizhu and meat-mounds. Xuyan and King Wen are also buried here. Another version calls it Mount Tang. Another version says here dwell bears, brown bears, striped tigers, monkeys, leopards, Lizhu, chijiu birds, meat-mounds and hujiao. Here is the Fan Forest, three hundred li square.

In the south is Zhurong, with a beast's body and a human face, riding upon two dragons.