山海經·西山經 Classic of the Western Mountains

The first peak of the Mount Hua range in the Western Mountains is called Mount Qianlai. On top are many pines, below much washing stone. There is a beast here shaped like a sheep with a horse's tail, called the xian sheep; its fat cures chapped skin.

Forty-five li to the west is Mount Songguo. The Huo River rises here and flows north into the Wei; in it is much copper. There is a bird here called the tongqu, shaped like a pheasant with a black body and red feet; it cures calluses.

Sixty li further west is Mount Taihua (Great Hua), sheer-cut and square, five thousand ren high and ten li wide; neither birds nor beasts dwell there. There is a snake here called the feiyi, with six feet and four wings; when it appears, the world will have a great drought.

Eighty li further west is Mount Xiaohua (Lesser Hua). Its trees are mostly thorn bushes and wolfberry, its beasts mostly zha cattle, on its north side are many musical stones, on its south side much tufu jade. Birds are mostly red pheasants, which ward off fire. The plant here is bili, shaped like black leek and growing on rocks, and also climbing on trees; eating it cures heart pain.

Eighty li further west is Mount Fuyu. On its south side is much copper, on its north side much iron. On it is a tree called wenjing, with fruit like dates; it cures deafness. Its herbs are mostly tiao, shaped like mallow with red flowers and yellow fruit like a baby's tongue; eating it keeps you from delusion. The Fuyu River rises here and flows north into the Wei. Beasts are mostly conglong, shaped like sheep with red manes. Birds are mostly min, shaped like kingfishers with red beaks; they ward off fire.

Sixty li further west is Mount Shicui. Its trees are mostly palm and nan, its herbs mostly tiao, shaped like garlic chives with white flowers and black fruit; eating it cures scabies. On its south side is much tufu jade, on its north side much copper. The Guan River rises here and flows north into the Yu River. In it is liquid red ochre; smearing it on cattle and horses keeps them free of disease.

Seventy li further west is Mount Ying. On top are many niu and jiang trees, on its north side much iron, on its south side much red metal. The Yu River rises here and flows north into the Zhao River; in it are many bang fish, shaped like soft-shell turtles with voices like sheep. On its south side are many arrow bamboos, and its beasts are mostly zha cattle and xian sheep. There is a bird here shaped like a quail with a yellow body and a red beak, called the feiyi; eating it cures pestilence and kills parasites.

Fifty-two li further west is Mount Zhu (Bamboo Mountain). On top are tall trees, on its north side much iron. There is a plant called huangguan, shaped like the stinktree with hemp-like leaves, white flowers and red fruit shaped like ochre; bathing in it cures scabies and also swellings. The Zhu River rises here and flows north into the Wei; on its south side are many arrow bamboos and much pale-green jade. The Dan River rises here and flows southeast into the Luo River; in it is much rock crystal and many mermaid-fish. There is a beast here shaped like a piglet with white hair as thick as hairpins with black tips, called the haozhi (porcupine).

One hundred and twenty li further west is Mount Fu, with many pan trees, having trifoliate-orange leaves without thorns, where wood-boring insects dwell. There is a plant here called xuncao, with hemp-like leaves, square stems, red flowers and black fruit, smelling like miwu; wearing it cures pestilence.

Seventy li further west is Mount Yuci. The Qi River rises here and flows north into the Wei. On top are many yu and jiang trees, below are many arrow bamboos, on its north side is much red copper, on its south side much yinghuan jade. There is a beast here shaped like a yu monkey with long arms, good at throwing, called the xiao. There is a bird here shaped like an owl with a human face and one foot, called the tuofei; it appears in winter and hibernates in summer; wearing its feathers frees you from fear of thunder.

One hundred and fifty li further west is Mount Shi, with no plants or trees. The Zhu River rises here and flows north into the Wei; in it is much rock crystal.

One hundred and seventy li further west is Mount Nan, on which is much cinnabar grit. The Dan River rises here and flows north into the Wei. Beasts are mostly fierce leopards, birds mostly turtle-doves.

Four hundred and eight li further west is Mount Dashi. On top are many paper mulberries and oaks, below many niu and jiang trees; on its north side is much silver, on its south side much white jade. The Cen River rises here and flows north into the Wei. The Qing River rises here and flows south into the Han River.

Three hundred and twenty li further west is Mount Bozhong. The Han River rises here and flows southeast into the Mian; the Xiao River rises here and flows north into the Tang River. On top are many taozhi and gouduan bamboos, beasts are mostly rhinoceroses, wild buffalo, bears and brown bears, birds mostly white pheasants and red pheasants. There is a plant here whose leaves resemble orchid-grass, with roots like balloon flowers, black flowers and no fruit, called gurong; eating it makes one childless.

Three hundred and fifty li further west is Mount Tiandi. On top are many palms and nan trees, below many rushes and orchid-grass. There is a beast here shaped like a dog, called the xibian; sitting on its pelt protects against gu poison. There is a bird here shaped like a quail with black markings and a red neck, called the li; eating it cures haemorrhoids. There is a plant here shaped like mallow smelling like miwu, called duheng; it makes horses run swiftly, and eating it cures goiters.

Three hundred and eighty li to the southwest is Mount Tutu. The Qiang River rises here and flows west into the Zhuzi River; the Tu River rises here and flows south into the Jihuo River. On its south side is much cinnabar grit, on its north side much silver and yellow gold, and on top are many cassia trees. There is a white stone here called yu, which poisons rats. There is a plant here shaped like ligusticum, with leaves like mallow and red backs, called wutiao, which poisons rats. There is a beast here shaped like a deer with a white tail, horse's hooves, human hands and four horns, called the youru. There is a bird here shaped like a kite with human feet, called the shusi; eating it cures goiters.

One hundred and eighty li further west is Mount Huang (Yellow Mountain), with no plants or trees and many arrow bamboos. The Pan River rises here and flows west into the Red River; in it is much jade. There is a beast here shaped like an ox with a dark grey body and large eyes, called the min. There is a bird here shaped like an owl with blue-green feathers and a red beak, having a human tongue and able to speak, called the parrot.

Two hundred li further west is Mount Cui. On top are many palms and nan trees, below many arrow bamboos, on its south side much yellow gold and jade, on its north side many yak, antelope and musk deer. Its birds are mostly lei, shaped like magpies, red and black with two heads and four feet; they ward off fire.

Two hundred and fifty li further west is Mount Gui, bordering the Western Sea, with no plants or trees and much jade. The Qi River rises here and flows west into the sea; in it are many coloured stones, much yellow gold and much cinnabar grit.

In all, the first range of the Western Mountains, from Mount Qianlai to Mount Gui, has nineteen mountains and runs 2,957 li. Mount Hua is the master peak; its rite uses the tailor sacrifice. Mount Yu is the god's seat: its sacrifice uses torches, fasting for a hundred days with a hundred victims, burying a hundred fine jade stones, warming a hundred jars of wine, and girdling it with a hundred gui jade sceptres and a hundred bi jade discs. For the other seventeen mountains, all victims are whole-coloured animals, sacrificing one sheep. The torches are made of unburnt grasses, with white mats edged in coloured borders.

The first peak of the second range of the Western Mountains is called Mount Qian. On top is much copper, below much jade; its trees are mostly niu and jiang.

Two hundred li to the west is Mount Taimao. On its south side is much jade, on its north side much iron. The Yu River rises here and flows east into the Yellow River; in it is much algae jade and many white snakes.

One hundred and seventy li further west is Mount Shuli. On top is much yellow gold, below much silver; its trees are mostly niu and jiang, its birds mostly parrots. The Chu River rises here and flows south into the Wei; in it are many white pearls.

Fifty li to the northwest is Mount Gao. On top is much silver, below much dark green jade and realgar; its trees are mostly palms, its plants mostly bamboos. The Jing River rises here and flows east into the Wei; in it are many musical stones and dark green jade.

Three hundred li to the southwest is Mount Nüchuang. On its south side is much red copper, on its north side much alum; its beasts are mostly tigers, leopards, rhinoceroses and wild buffalo. There is a bird here shaped like a long-tailed pheasant with five-coloured patterns, called the luan bird; when it appears, the world is peaceful and secure.

Two hundred li further west is Mount Longshou (Dragon Head). On its south side is much yellow gold, on its north side much iron. The Tiao River rises here and flows southeast into the Jing River; in it is much fine jade.

Two hundred li further west is Mount Lutai. On top is much white jade, below much silver; its beasts are mostly zha cattle, xian sheep and white porcupines. There is a bird here shaped like a rooster with a human face, called the fuxi, crying its own name; when it appears, warfare will break out.

Two hundred li to the southwest is Mount Niaowei. On its south side are many musical stones, on its north side many sandalwood and paper mulberry trees, and in it are many alum deposits. The Niaowei River rises here and flows west into the Red River; in it is much cinnabar grit.

Four hundred li further west is Mount Xiaoci. On top is much white jade, below much red copper. There is a beast here shaped like an ape with a white head and red feet, called the zhuyan; when it appears, great warfare will ensue.

Three hundred li further west is Mount Daci. On its south side is much white clay, on its north side much jasper; its beasts are mostly zha cattle and antelopes.

Four hundred li further west is Mount Xunwu, with no plants or trees and much metal and jade.

Four hundred li further west is Mount Zhiyang. Its trees are mostly ji, nan and camphor trees; its beasts are mostly rhinoceroses, wild buffalo, tigers, leopards and zha cattle.

Two hundred and fifty li further west is Mount Zhongshou (Many Beasts). On top is much tufu jade, below many sandalwood and paper mulberry trees and much yellow gold; its beasts are mostly rhinoceroses and wild buffalo.

Five hundred li further west is Mount Huangren. On top is much metal and jade, below much dark realgar. The Huang River rises here and flows west into the Red River; in it is much cinnabar grit.

Three hundred li further west is Mount Zhonghuang. On top is much yellow gold, below much orchid-grass and crabapple.

Three hundred and fifty li further west is Mount Xihuang. On its south side is much yellow gold, on its north side much iron; its beasts are mostly elaphures, deer and zha cattle.

Three hundred and fifty li further west is Mount Lai. Its trees are mostly sandalwood and paper mulberry; its birds are mostly luoluo, which eat people.

In all, the second range of the Western Mountains, from Mount Qian to Mount Lai, has seventeen mountains and runs 4,140 li. Ten of their gods have human faces and horse bodies. Seven of their gods have human faces and ox bodies, with four feet and one arm, walking with a staff: these are the gods of flying beasts; their sacrifice uses a shaolao offering with white rush mats. For the other ten gods, the sacrifice uses one rooster, clamped without grain, with coloured feathers.

The first peak of the third range of the Western Mountains is called Mount Chongwu, south of the Yellow River. To the north it overlooks Zhonghui, to the south the Yao Marsh, to the west the Sovereign's Beast-Catching Hill, and to the east the Chan Abyss. There is a tree here with round leaves, white calyxes, red flowers with black grain, and fruit like trifoliate oranges; eating it brings many descendants. There is a beast here shaped like a yu monkey with patterned arms and leopard-like tail, good at throwing, called the jufu. There is a bird here shaped like a duck with one wing and one eye, which can fly only when paired together, called the manman; when it appears, the world will have great floods.

Three hundred li to the northwest is Mount Changsha. The Ci River rises here and flows north into the You River; it has no plants or trees and much dark realgar.

Three hundred and seventy li further northwest is Mount Buzhou. To the north it overlooks the Zhupi Mountains, facing Mount Yuechong; to the east it looks toward the You Marsh, where the Yellow River flows underground, its source bubbling and gushing. There is an auspicious fruit here shaped like a peach with jujube leaves, yellow flowers and red calyxes; eating it relieves weariness.

Four hundred and twenty li further northwest is Mount Mi. On top are many cinnabar trees with round leaves and red stems, yellow flowers and red fruit tasting like malt sugar; eating it keeps you from hunger. The Dan River rises here and flows west into the Ji Marsh; in it is much white jade. Here is jade paste, its bubbling source boiling up, which the Yellow Emperor ate and enjoyed. From it is born dark jade. The jade paste pours forth to water the cinnabar trees; after five years the trees display five pure colours and five sweet flavours. The Yellow Emperor then took the jade blossoms of Mount Mi and cast them on the south side of Mount Zhong. The fine jinyu jade is of the highest quality, hard, fine and lustrous, gleaming with radiance. Five colours shine forth, harmonising soft and hard. Heaven, earth, ghosts and gods all feast upon it; the noble person wears it to ward off misfortune. From Mount Mi to Mount Zhong is 460 li, all marshland between; here are many strange birds, monstrous beasts and wondrous fish, all extraordinary creatures.

Four hundred and twenty li further northwest is Mount Zhong. Its son was called Gu, shaped with a human face and a dragon body; together with Qinpi he killed Baojiang on the south of Kunlun. The Sovereign then executed them east of Mount Zhong at Yaoya. Qinpi transformed into a great osprey, shaped like an eagle with black markings, a white head, a red beak and tiger claws, whose cry sounds like a morning swan; when it appears, great warfare follows. Gu also transformed into the jun bird, shaped like a kite with red feet, a straight beak, yellow markings and a white head, whose voice is like a swan; when it appears, its town will suffer severe drought.

One hundred and eighty li further west is Mount Taiqi. The Guan River rises here and flows west into the Shifting Sands. In it are many wenyao fish, shaped like carp with a fish body and bird wings, blue-green markings, a white head and a red beak; they often swim from the Western Sea to the Eastern Sea and fly by night. Their voice is like a luan-fowl, their taste sweet and sour; eating them cures madness, and when they appear, the world will have an abundant harvest.

Three hundred and twenty li further west is Mount Huaijiang. The Qiushi River rises here and flows north into the You River; in it are many mother-of-pearl snails. On top is metal and dark realgar, with rich stores of langgan coral, yellow gold and jade; on its south side is much cinnabar grit, on its north side variegated yellow gold and silver. It is truly the Sovereign's Level Garden, guarded by the god Yingzhao, shaped with a horse's body and a human face, tiger stripes and bird wings, roving through the four seas, whose voice is like rolling wheels. Looking south toward Kunlun, its radiance blazes and its vapour billows. Looking west toward the Great Marsh, where Lord Millet sank, it is rich in jade, and on its north side are many yao trees. Looking north toward Zhupi, the Sophora spirits and Lilun dwell there, home of hawks and kites. Looking east toward the four tiers of Mount Heng, the spirits of extreme destitution dwell there, each inhabiting a peak. Here is the Yin River, crystal clear. There is a heavenly deity here shaped like an ox with eight feet, two heads and a horse's tail, whose voice sounds like a bohuang; when it appears, warfare strikes the town.

Four hundred li to the southwest is the Hill of Kunlun. This is truly the Sovereign's earthly capital, governed by the god Luwu. This god is shaped with a tiger's body and nine tails, a human face and tiger claws; he administers the nine divisions of heaven and the seasons of the Sovereign's park. There is a beast here shaped like a sheep with four horns, called the tulou, which eats people. There is a bird here shaped like a bee, as large as a mandarin duck, called the qinyuan; stinging birds or beasts kills them, and stinging trees withers them. There is a bird here called the chun bird, which manages the Sovereign's hundred vestments. There is a tree here shaped like a crabapple with yellow flowers and red fruit, tasting like plum without a stone, called the shatang; it repels water, and eating it keeps you from drowning. There is a plant here called the pin plant, shaped like mallow tasting like scallion; eating it relieves weariness. The Yellow River rises here and flows south into Wuda. The Red River rises here and flows southeast into the Fantian River. The Yang River rises here and flows southwest into the Choutu River. The Black River rises here and flows west into the Dayu. Here are many strange birds and beasts.

Three hundred and seventy li further west is Mount Leyou. The Tao River rises here and flows west into the Ji Marsh; here is much white jade, and in it are many hua fish, shaped like snakes with four feet, which eat fish.

Travelling four hundred li west by water is the Shifting Sands; two hundred li further one reaches Mount Luomu, governed by the god Changcheng, who is the Nine Virtues of Heaven. This god is shaped like a human with a leopard's tail. On top is much jade, below many green stones and no water.

Three hundred and fifty li further west is Mount Yu (Jade Mountain), where the Queen Mother of the West dwells. The Queen Mother of the West is shaped like a human with a leopard's tail and tiger's teeth, skilled at whistling, with dishevelled hair wearing a sheng headdress; she presides over heavenly plagues and the five punishments. There is a beast here shaped like a dog with leopard markings and horns like an ox, called the jiao; its voice is like a barking dog, and when it appears, the state will have an abundant harvest. There is a bird here shaped like a pheasant and red, called the shengyu; it eats fish, its cry sounds like deer calling, and when it appears, the state will have great floods.

Four hundred and eighty li further west is the Hill of Xuanyuan, with no plants or trees. The Xun River rises here and flows south into the Black River; in it is much cinnabar grit and much dark realgar.

Three hundred li further west is Mount Jishi. Below it is a stone gate through which the Yellow River rushes and flows west; on this mountain all kinds of creatures abound.

Two hundred li further west is Mount Changliu, where the White Emperor Shaohao dwells. Its beasts all have patterned tails, its birds all have patterned heads. Here are many patterned jade stones. It is truly the palace of the round god Kuishi. This deity presides over the returning reflection of the sun.

Two hundred and eighty li further west is Mount Zhang'e, with no plants or trees and much fine jade and jasper; its wonders are extraordinary. There is a beast here shaped like a red leopard with five tails and a single horn, whose voice sounds like striking stones, called the zheng. There is a bird here shaped like a crane with one foot, red markings on a blue-green body and a white beak, called the bifang; its cry calls its own name, and when it appears, a mystery fire strikes the town.

Three hundred li further west is Mount Yin. The Zhuoyu River rises here and flows south into the Fan Marsh; in it are many patterned cowries. There is a beast here shaped like a wildcat with a white head, called the tiangou; its cry sounds like liuliu, and it wards off misfortune.

Two hundred li further west is Mount Futang. On top are many palms and nan trees, below much metal and jade. The god Jiangyi dwells here. This mountain has much strange rain and is where wind and clouds arise.

Two hundred and twenty li further west is Mount Sanwei, where the Three Blue Birds dwell. This mountain is one hundred li across. On it is a beast shaped like an ox with a white body, four horns and hair like a rain-cape, called the aoxie; it eats people. There is a bird here with one head and three bodies, shaped like an osprey, called the chi.

One hundred and ninety li further west is Mount Gui. On top is much jade and no stone. The god Qitong dwells here; his voice always sounds like bells and chime-stones. Below are dense coils of serpents.

Three hundred and fifty li further west is Mount Tian (Heavenly Mountain), with much metal and jade and dark realgar. The Ying River rises here and flows southwest into the Boiling Canyon. There is a deity here shaped like a yellow sack, red like cinnabar fire, with six feet and four wings, chaotic with no face or eyes, who understands song and dance: this is truly Dijiang.

Two hundred and ninety li further west is Mount You, where the god Rushou dwells. On top is much yinghuan jade, on its south side much fine jinyu jade, and on its north side much dark realgar. On this mountain, looking west to where the sun sets, the vapour is round; it is governed by the god Hongguang.

Travelling one hundred li west by water, one reaches Mount Yiwang, with no plants or trees and much metal and jade. There is a beast here shaped like a wildcat with one eye and three tails, called the huan; its voice can mimic a hundred sounds; it wards off misfortune, and wearing its fur cures jaundice. There is a bird here shaped like a crow with three heads and six tails, prone to laughter, called the qitu; wearing its feathers protects against nightmares and wards off misfortune.

In all, the third range of the Western Mountains, from Mount Chongwu to Mount Yiwang, has twenty-three mountains and runs 6,744 li. Their gods all have sheep's bodies and human faces. In their sacrifice, one auspicious jade stone is buried, and the sacrificial grain is millet.

The first peak of the fourth range of the Western Mountains is called Mount Yin. On top are many paper mulberries and no stone; its plants are mostly mao and fan. The Yin River rises here and flows west into the Luo River.

Fifty li to the north is Mount Lao, with many purple herbs. The Ruo River rises here and flows west into the Luo River.

Fifty li to the west is Mount Bafu. The Er River rises here and flows west into the Luo River; in it are many purple stones and dark green jasper.

Seventy li to the north is Mount Shen. On top are many paper mulberries and oaks, below many niu and jiang trees, on its south side much metal and jade. The Ou River rises here and flows into the Yellow River.

One hundred and twenty li to the north is Mount Niao (Bird Mountain). On top are many mulberries, below many paper mulberries, on its north side much iron, on its south side much jade. The Ru River rises here and flows east into the Yellow River.

Twenty li further north is Mount Shangshen. On top are no plants or trees, but many boulders; below are many hazelnuts and thorn trees, and its beasts are mostly white deer. Its birds are mostly danghu, shaped like pheasants, flying with their throat whiskers; eating them keeps your eyes from blinking. The Tang River rises here and flows east into the Yellow River.

Eighty li further north is Mount Zhuci. The Zhuci River rises here and flows east into the Yellow River. This mountain has many trees and no plants; neither birds nor beasts live here, but many snakes dwell on it.

One hundred and eighty li further north is Mount Hao. Its trees are mostly lacquer and palm, its herbs mostly angelica and ligusticum. It has many qin stones. The Duan River rises here and flows east into the Yellow River.

Two hundred and twenty li further north is Mount Yu. On its north side is much iron, on its south side much copper; its beasts are mostly white wolves and white tigers, its birds mostly white pheasants and white long-tailed pheasants. The Sheng River rises here and flows east into the Yellow River.

Two hundred and fifty li to the west is Mount Baiyu. On top are many pines and cypresses, below many oaks and sandalwood; its beasts are mostly zha cattle and xian sheep, its birds mostly horned owls. The Luo River rises on its south side and flows east into the Wei; the Jia River rises on its north side and flows east into the Sheng River.

Three hundred li to the northwest is Mount Shenshou, with no plants or trees, and snow in both winter and summer. The Shen River rises on top and runs subterranean below; here is much white jade.

Fifty-five li further west is Mount Jinggu. The Jing River rises here and flows southeast into the Wei; here is much silver and white jade.

One hundred and twenty li further west is Mount Gang, with many lacquer trees and much tufu jade. The Gang River rises here and flows north into the Wei. Here are many divine spirits, shaped with human faces and beast bodies, with one foot and one hand, whose voice sounds like qin.

Two hundred li further west, one reaches the tail of Mount Gang. The Luo River rises here and flows north into the Yellow River. In it are many manman, shaped like rats with turtle heads, whose voice is like a barking dog.

Three hundred and fifty li further west is Mount Yingdi. On top are many lacquer trees, below much metal and jade; all birds and beasts are white. The Yuan River rises here and flows north into the Lingyang Marsh. Here are many ranyi fish, with fish bodies, snake heads and six feet, their eyes like horse ears; eating them prevents nightmares and wards off misfortune.

Three hundred li further west is Mount Zhongqu. On its south side is much jade, on its north side much realgar, white jade and metal. There is a beast here shaped like a horse with a white body, a black tail, a single horn, tiger's teeth and claws, sounding like drums, called the bo; it eats tigers and leopards and repels weapon attacks. There is a tree here shaped like a crabapple with round leaves and red fruit, as large as a quince, called the huai tree; eating it gives great strength.

Two hundred and sixty li further west is Mount Gui. On it is a beast shaped like an ox with hedgehog quills, called the qiongqi; its cry sounds like a howling dog, and it eats people. The Meng River rises here and flows south into the Yang River; in it are many yellow cowries and luoyu fish, which have fish bodies and bird wings with voices like mandarin ducks; when they appear, the town will have great floods.

Two hundred and twenty li further west is Mount Niaoshu Tongxue (Birds and Rats Sharing Burrows). On top are many white tigers and white jade. The Wei River rises here and flows east into the Yellow River; in it are many sao fish, shaped like sturgeon; when they stir, the town will face great warfare. The Lan River rises on its west side and flows west into the Han River; in it are many wenpi fish, shaped like overturned pans, with bird heads, fish wings and fish tails, sounding like sounding-stones; they produce pearls and jade.

Three hundred and sixty li to the southwest is Mount Yanzi. On top are many cinnabar trees with leaves like paper mulberry and fruit as large as melons, with red bracts and black veins; eating them cures jaundice and wards off fire. On its south side are many turtles, on its north side much jade. The Tiao River rises here and flows west into the sea; in it are many whetstones. There is a beast here shaped with a horse's body and bird wings, a human face and snake tail, fond of lifting humans, called the shuhu. There is a bird here shaped like an owl with a human face, monkey body and dog tail, crying its own name; when it appears, the town will have severe drought.

In all, the fourth range of the Western Mountains, from Mount Yin to Mount Yanzi, has nineteen mountains and runs 3,680 li. In the rites to their gods, one white rooster is offered in prayer, the sacrificial grain is rice, and white rush mats are used.

The above is the record of the mountains of the Western Classic: seventy-seven mountains, running 17,517 li.