Zhūyàn

朱厭Zhuyan

The ape-like omen beast of Mount Xiaoci from the Shan Hai Jing: with a white head and red feet, its appearance portends terrible warfare across the realm.《山海经》记载小次山凶兽朱厌：其状如猿猴而白首赤足，见则天下大兵。

Body身形

Like an ape形貌宛若猿猴

其狀如猿

Head首毛

White head fur顶生白发霜毛

白首

Legs脚足

Crimson-red feet双足赤红如丹

赤足

Omen征兆

Great warfare现身则天下大乱

見則大兵

Woodblock print from Gujin Tushu Jicheng showing the ape beast Zhuyan with white-haired head and agile limbs pacing among mountain rocks, inscribed 'Zhuyan Tu'白首White head白色的头颅白首White head白色的头颅其狀如猿Ape-like body身形如猿猴其狀如猿Ape-like body身形如猿猴赤足Red feet赤红的脚爪赤足Red feet赤红的脚爪爪臂Agile forearms矫健长臂爪臂Agile forearms矫健长臂
有獸焉，其名曰朱厭

There is a beast here; its name is Zhuyan.

山海經·西山經
朱厭圖, Gujin Tushu Jicheng 古今圖書集成, Qin Chong Dian (Section on Birds and Animals), woodblock print, 1726清·陈梦雷等编《古今图书集成·禽虫典》“朱厭图”，雍正四年（1726）铜活字印本 · Public domain公有领域

Highlighted words: anatomy part · feature · form type — tap to jump标色词：形态部位 · 特征 · 形态类别，点击可跳转

The texts原文

Original Text & Translation原文与译文

山海經·西山經 · 山海經·西山經 · Wikisource

又西四百里，曰小次之山，其上多白玉，其下多赤銅。有獸焉，其狀如猿，而白首赤足，名曰朱厭，見則大兵。
There is a beast here shaped like an ape, with a white head and red feet, named Zhuyan; when it appears there is great warfare.

山海經·西山經 · 山海經·西山經 · Wikisource

又西四百里，曰小次之山，其上多白玉，其下多赤銅。有獸焉，其狀如猿，而白首赤足，名曰朱厭，見則大兵。
There is a beast here shaped like an ape, with a white head and red feet, named Zhuyan; when it appears there is great warfare.

Comparing the Books典籍对比

The Classic of the Western Mountains records the Zhuyan as an ape-like omen beast on Mount Xiaoci whose sudden appearance signals severe military conflict across the empire.

The story来历与故事

An ancient harbinger of conflict in Chinese mythology: an ape-like quadruped dwelling upon Mount Xiaoci, conspicuous for its frosty white crown and crimson-red feet. Its rare descent into human sight forebodes devastating warfare.

The Omen of Mount Xiaoci小次之山与兵祸预兆

The Shan Hai Jing records in the Classic of the Western Mountains that Mount Xia《山海经·西山经》记载，小次之山其上多白玉，其下多赤铜。山中栖息着异兽朱厌，身形

The Shan Hai Jing records in the Classic of the Western Mountains that Mount Xiaoci abounds in white jade and copper. Upon this mineral-rich peak dwells the Zhuyan, an agile simian-shaped beast distinguished by its snowy white head and bright red feet. Unlike ordinary apes that chatter harmlessly in mountain groves, Zhuyan is recorded as an ominous portent whose emergence from the wilderness signifies imminent war.

Ancient classical annotators observed that whenever a sighting of the Zhuyan was recorded in local chronicles, neighbouring states took up arms and broad imperial mobilizations ensued. Its red feet were traditionally seen as symbolizing the blood and fire of the battlefield, while its white head recalled the bleached bones of fallen soldiers.

Zhuyan in Classical Bestiaries历代类书与古籍流传

Through successive dynasties, the Zhuyan was systematically catalogued in imperi自魏晋以迄明清，朱厌被历代官修类书与《古今图书集成》严谨载录，与合窳、蜚等大灾预

Through successive dynasties, the Zhuyan was systematically catalogued in imperial compendia alongside other calamity omens like the Deluge Fox Heyu and the Drought Serpent Feiyi. Ming and Qing scholars retained the creature as a prime archetype of supernatural political warning, cautioning rulers that unprovoked military aggression would be heralded by strange mountain beasts.

In modern fantasy literature, video games, and martial arts entertainment, Zhuyan is frequently depicted as a formidable monkey demon or titanic warrior boss commanding seismic shockwaves and battlefield fury, revitalizing its ancient title as the ape of war.

Record档案

Record Card档案卡

TypeOmen Beast (ape-like harbinger of war)
Also known asApe of War; Beast of Great Battles
Earliest sourceShan Hai Jing 山海經 (Classic of the Western Mountains)
OmenPortends widespread conflict and great warfare across the realm
NatureSolitary mountain beast dwelling on Mount Xiaoci
SymbolismAncient Chinese harbinger of military conflict and armed strife
Earliest source山海經·西山經
Source books山海經·西山經
Image sourceChen Menglei 陳夢雷 (ed.) · Wikimedia Commons
LicensePublic domain
Fierce BeastsCalamityShan Hai JingBeast-bodied兽身

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Zhuyan in Chinese mythology?

The Zhuyan is an ancient simian beast recorded in the Shan Hai Jing with a white head and red feet. Its appearance is a legendary omen foretelling widespread military conflict and warfare.

Where does the Zhuyan live according to the classics?

According to the Classic of the Western Mountains, the Zhuyan dwells on Mount Xiaoci, a mineral-rich mountain abounding in white jade and copper.

Why does the Zhuyan have a white head and red feet?

Classical commentators linked its contrasting colours to battlefield symbolism: the crimson feet evoke the blood of battle, while the white head evokes bleached bones and age-old grief.

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