Chapter 1 of the Classic of Mountains and Seas

The Classic of the Southern Mountains (南山经 Nánshānjīng) opens the Classic of Mountains and Seas. It describes, from west to east, three ranges of mountains peopled with extraordinary plants, minerals, beasts and birds, and closes each range with the rites due to its divinities. The Chinese text is presented with its pinyin transcription (hover over or read the annotated characters), followed by the English translation and notes.

First Classic of the Southern Mountains — 南山经

南nán山shān經jīng之zhī首shǒu曰yuē䧿què山shān。其qí首shǒu曰yuē招zhāo搖yáo之zhī山shān，臨lín于yú西xī海hǎi之zhī上shàng，多duō桂guì，多duō金jīn玉yù。有yǒu草cǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú韭jiǔ而ér青qīng花huā，其qí名míng曰yuē祝zhù餘yú，食shí之zhī不bù飢jī。有yǒu木mù焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú穀gǔ而ér黑hēi理lǐ，其qí花huā四sì照zhào，其qí名míng曰yuē迷mí穀gǔ，佩pèi之zhī不bù迷mí。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú禺yú而ér白bái耳ěr，伏fú行xíng人rén走zǒu，其qí名míng曰yuē狌shēng狌shēng，食shí之zhī善shàn走zǒu。麗lì𪊨jǐ之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú海hǎi，其qí中zhōng多duō育yù沛pèi，佩pèi之zhī無wú瘕jiǎ疾jí。

The first of the mountains of the Southern Classic is called Mount Que (䧿山). Its head is Mount Zhaoyao (招搖), which overlooks the Western Sea. It abounds in cassia trees, gold and jade. There grows a plant whose appearance resembles chives but with blue flowers; it is called zhuyu (祝餘), and whoever eats it feels hunger no more. There grows a tree whose appearance resembles the paper mulberry, with black veins, whose flowers light up the four sides; it is called migu (迷穀), and whoever carries it on his person does not go astray. There is a beast whose appearance resembles the ape, but with white ears; it moves now crouching, now running like a man; it is called xingxing (狌狌), and whoever eats it becomes a good walker. The Liji River (麗𪊨) issues from it and flows west to empty into the sea; it abounds in yupei (育沛), the wearing of which wards off tumours of the belly.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē堂táng庭tíng之zhī山shān，多duō棪yǎn木mù，多duō白bái猿yuán，多duō水shuǐ玉yù，多duō黃huáng金jīn。

Three hundred li further east lies Mount Tangting (堂庭). It abounds in yan trees (棪), in white gibbons, in rock crystal (shuiyu 水玉) and in gold.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē猨yuán翼yì之zhī山shān，其qí中zhōng多duō怪guài獸shòu，水shuǐ多duō怪guài魚yú，多duō白bái玉yù，多duō腹fù虫chóng，多duō怪guài蛇shé，多duō怪guài木mù，不bù可kě以yǐ上shàng。

Three hundred and eighty li further east lies Mount Yuanyi (猨翼). Many strange beasts are found there; its waters abound in strange fish; there is much white jade, many vipers (fuchong 腹虫), many strange snakes and strange trees. One cannot climb it.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi七qī十shí里lǐ，曰yuē杻niǔ陽yáng之zhī山shān，其qí陽yáng多duō赤chì金jīn，其qí陰yīn多duō白bái金jīn。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú馬mǎ而ér白bái首shǒu，其qí文wén如rú虎hǔ而ér赤chì尾wěi，其qí音yīn如rú謠yáo，其qí名míng曰yuē鹿lù蜀shǔ，佩pèi之zhī宜yí子zi孫sūn。怪guài水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú憲xiàn翼yì之zhī水shuǐ。其qí中zhōng多duō玄xuán龜guī，其qí狀zhuàng如rú龜guī而ér鳥niǎo首shǒu虺huī尾wěi，其qí名míng曰yuē旋xuán龜guī，其qí音yīn如rú判pàn木mù，佩pèi之zhī不bù聾lóng，可kě以yǐ為wèi底dǐ。

Three hundred and seventy li further east lies Mount Niuyang (杻陽). Its southern slope abounds in red metal (copper), its northern slope in white metal (silver). There is a beast whose appearance resembles the horse, with a white head, tiger stripes and a red tail; its voice is like a song; it is called lushu (鹿蜀), and whoever wears it will have numerous offspring. The Guai River (怪水) issues from it and flows east to empty into the Xianyi River (憲翼). It abounds in black turtles whose appearance resembles the tortoise, but with a bird's head and a serpent's tail; they are called xuangui (旋龜); their cry is like the cracking of splitting wood; whoever wears one does not become deaf, and it may be used to treat calluses.

東dōng三sān百bǎi里lǐ祗zhī山shān，多duō水shuǐ，無wú草cǎo木mù。有yǒu魚yú焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú牛niú，陵líng居jū，蛇shé尾wěi有yǒu翼yì，其qí羽yǔ在zài魼qū下xià，其qí音yīn如rú留liú牛niú，其qí名míng曰yuē鯥lù，冬dōng死sǐ而ér夏xià生shēng，食shí之zhī無wú腫zhǒng疾jí。

Three hundred li east, Mount Zhi (祗山) abounds in waters and is devoid of grass and trees. There is a fish whose appearance resembles the ox; it dwells on the heights, has a serpent's tail and wings, its feathers set beneath the flanks; its voice is like that of the liuniu (留牛); it is called lu (鯥); it dies in winter and is reborn in summer; whoever eats it suffers no swellings.

又yòu東dōng四sì百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē亶dǎn爰yuán之zhī山shān，多duō水shuǐ，無wú草cǎo木mù，不bù可kě以yǐ上shàng。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú狸lí而ér有yǒu髦máo，其qí名míng曰yuē類lèi，自zì為wèi牝pìn牡mǔ，食shí者zhě不bù妬dù。

Four hundred li further east lies Mount Danyuan (亶爰). It abounds in waters, is devoid of grass and trees, and cannot be climbed. There is a beast whose appearance resembles the wildcat, but furnished with a mane; it is called lei (類); it is at once male and female; whoever eats it knows no jealousy.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē基jī山shān，其qí陽yáng多duō玉yù，其qí陰yīn多duō怪guài木mù。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú羊yáng，九jiǔ尾wěi四sì耳ěr，其qí目mù在zài背bèi，其qí名míng曰yuē猼bó訑yí，佩pèi之zhī不bù畏wèi。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú雞jī而ér三sān首shǒu六liù目mù，六liù足zú三sān翼yì，其qí名míng曰yuē𪁺cháng𩿧fū，食shí之zhī無wú臥wò。

Three hundred li further east lies Mount Ji (基山). Its southern slope abounds in jade, its northern slope in strange trees. There is a beast whose appearance resembles the sheep, with nine tails and four ears, its eyes set upon its back; it is called bochi (猼訑); whoever wears it knows no fear. There is a bird whose appearance resembles the cock, but with three heads, six eyes, six legs and three wings; it is called changfu (𪁺𩿧); whoever eats it has little need of sleep.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē青qīng丘qiū之zhī山shān，其qí陽yáng多duō玉yù，其qí陰yīn多duō青qīng䨼hù。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú狐hú而ér九jiǔ尾wěi，其qí音yīn如rú嬰yīng兒ér，能néng食shí人rén，食shí者zhě不bù蠱gǔ。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鳩jiū，其qí音yīn若ruò呵hē，名míng曰yuē灌guàn灌guàn，佩pèi之zhī不bù惑huò。英yīng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，南nán流liú注zhù于yú即jí翼yì之zhī澤zé。其qí中zhōng多duō赤chì鱬rú，其qí狀zhuàng如rú魚yú而ér人rén面miàn，其qí音yīn如rú鴛yuān鴦yāng，食shí之zhī不bù疥jiè。

Three hundred li further east lies Mount Qingqiu (青丘). Its southern slope abounds in jade, its northern slope in green ore (qīnghù 青䨼). There is a beast whose appearance resembles the fox, but with nine tails; its voice is like that of an infant; it can devour men; whoever eats it is protected from baleful sorcery (gu 蠱). There is a bird whose appearance resembles the turtledove; its voice is like a rebuke; it is called guanguan (灌灌); whoever wears it is not deceived. The Ying River (英水) issues from it and flows south to empty into the Jiyi marsh (即翼). It abounds in chiru (赤鱬), fish with a fish's body and a human face; their cry is like that of mandarin ducks; whoever eats it has no scabies.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē箕jī尾wěi之zhī山shān，其qí尾wěi踆cūn于yú東dōng海hǎi，多duō沙shā石shí。汸fāng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú淯yù，其qí中zhōng多duō白bái玉yù。

Three hundred and fifty li further east lies Mount Jiwei (箕尾). Its tail plunges into the Eastern Sea; it abounds in sand and stones. The Fang River (汸水) issues from it and flows south to empty into the Yu (淯); it abounds in white jade.

凡fán䧿què山shān之zhī首shǒu，自zì招zhāo搖yáo之zhī山shān，以yǐ至zhì箕jī尾wěi之zhī山shān，凡fán十shí山shān，二èr千qiān九jiǔ百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ。其qí神shén狀zhuàng皆jiē鳥niǎo身shēn而ér龍lóng首shǒu，其qí祠cí之zhī禮lǐ：毛máo用yòng一yī璋zhāng玉yù瘞yì，糈xǔ用yòng稌tú米mǐ，一yī壁bì，稻dào米mǐ、白bái菅jiān為wèi席xí。

In all, from Mount Zhaoyao to Mount Jiwei, the master range of Mount Que numbers ten mountains, over two thousand nine hundred and fifty li. Their divinities all have a bird's body and a dragon's head. The rite of their worship: for the offering of hair, one buries a jade tablet (zhang 璋); as sacred grain, one employs glutinous rice (tu 稌); one adds a jade disc (bi 璧); and one lays out a mat of white rushes and rice.

Second Classic of the Southern Mountains — 南次二经

《南nán次cì二èr經jīng》之zhī首shǒu，曰yuē柜guì山shān，西xī臨lín流liú黃huáng，北běi望wàng諸zhū毗pí，東dōng望wàng長cháng右yòu。英yīng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，西xī南nán流liú注zhù于yú赤chì水shuǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō白bái玉yù，多duō丹dān粟sù。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú豚tún，有yǒu距jù，其qí音yīn如rú狗gǒu吠fèi，其qí名míng曰yuē狸lí力lì，見jiàn則zé其qí縣xiàn多duō土tǔ功gōng。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鴟chī而ér人rén手shǒu，其qí音yīn如rú痺bì，其qí名míng曰yuē鴸zhū，其qí鳴míng自zì號hào也yě，見jiàn則zé其qí縣xiàn多duō放fàng士shì。

The first mountain of the Second Classic of the South is called Mount Ju (柜山). To the west it borders the Liuhuang (流黃), to the north it looks toward Zhubi (諸毗), to the east toward Changyou (長右). The Ying River (英水) issues from it and flows southwest to empty into the Red River (赤水); it abounds in white jade and grains of cinnabar. There is a beast whose appearance resembles the pig, furnished with spurs; its voice is like the barking of a dog; it is called lili (狸力); where it appears, the district undergoes great earthworks. There is a bird whose appearance resembles the kite, but with human hands; its voice is like the cry of the quail; it is called zhu (鴸); its cry utters its own name; where it appears, the district suffers many banishments of scholars.

東dōng南nán四sì百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē長cháng右yòu之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō水shuǐ。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú禺yú而ér四sì耳ěr，其qí名míng長cháng右yòu，其qí音yīn如rú吟yín，見jiàn則zé郡jùn縣xiàn大dà水shuǐ。

Four hundred and fifty li to the southeast lies Mount Changyou (長右). It is devoid of grass and trees but abounds in waters. There is a beast whose appearance resembles the ape, but with four ears; it is called changyou (長右); its voice is like a lament; when it appears, prefectures and districts suffer great floods.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi四sì十shí里lǐ曰yuē堯yáo光guāng之zhī山shān，其qí陽yáng多duō玉yù，其qí陰yīn多duō金jīn。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú人rén而ér彘zhì鬣liè，穴xué居jū而ér冬dōng蟄zhé，其qí名míng曰yuē猾huá褢huái，其qí音yīn如rú斲zhuó木mù，見jiàn則zé縣xiàn有yǒu大dà繇yáo。

Three hundred and forty li further east lies Mount Yaoguang (堯光). Its southern slope abounds in jade, its northern slope in metal. There is a beast whose appearance resembles man, but furnished with pig's bristles; it dwells in burrows and hibernates in winter; it is called huahuai (猾褢); its voice is like that of wood being hewn; when it appears, the district undergoes great forced labour.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē羽yǔ山shān，其qí下xià多duō水shuǐ，其qí上shàng多duō雨yǔ，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō蝮fù虫chóng。

Three hundred and fifty li further east lies Mount Yu (羽山). The lower part abounds in waters, the upper in rains; it is devoid of grass and trees and abounds in vipers (fuchong 蝮虫).

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi七qī十shí里lǐ，曰yuē瞿qú父fù之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō金jīn玉yù。

Three hundred and seventy li further east lies Mount Qufu (瞿父). It is devoid of grass and trees, and abounds in gold and jade.

又yòu東dōng四sì百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē句gōu餘yú之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō金jīn玉yù。

Four hundred li further east lies Mount Gouyu (句餘). It is devoid of grass and trees, and abounds in gold and jade.

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē浮fú玉yù之zhī山shān，北běi望wàng具jù區qū，東dōng望wàng諸zhū毗pí。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú虎hǔ而ér牛niú尾wěi，其qí音yīn如rú吠fèi犬quǎn，其qí名míng曰yuē彘zhì，是shì食shí人rén。苕tiáo水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陰yīn，北běi流liú注zhù于yú具jù區qū。其qí中zhōng多duō鮆cǐ魚yú。

Five hundred li further east lies Mount Fuyu (浮玉). To the north it looks toward Juqu (具區), to the east toward Zhubi (諸毗). There is a beast whose appearance resembles the tiger, but with an ox's tail; its voice is like the barking of a dog; it is called zhi (彘); it devours men. The Tiao River (苕水) issues from its northern slope and flows north to empty into the Juqu. It abounds in ji fish (鮆).

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē成chéng山shān，四sì方fāng而ér三sān壇tán，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō青qīng䨼hù。𨴯shǐ水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú虖hū勺sháo，其qí中zhōng多duō黃huáng金jīn。

Five hundred li further east lies Mount Cheng (成山), square in shape and in three tiers. Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its foot in green ore (qīnghù). The Shi River (𨴯水) issues from it and flows south to empty into the Hushao (虖勺); it abounds in gold.

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē會kuài稽jī之zhī山shān，四sì方fāng，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō砆fū石shí。勺sháo水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú湨jú。

Five hundred li further east lies Mount Kuaiji (會稽), square in shape. Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its foot in fu stones (砆). The Shao River (勺水) issues from it and flows south to empty into the Ju (湨).

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē夷yí山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō沙shā石shí，湨jú水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú列liè塗tú。

Five hundred li further east lies Mount Yi (夷山). It is devoid of grass and trees and abounds in sand and stones. The Ju River (湨水) issues from it and flows south toward Lietu (列塗).

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē僕pú勾gōu之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō草cǎo木mù，無wú鳥niǎo獸shòu，無wú水shuǐ。

Five hundred li further east lies Mount Pugou (僕勾). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its foot in grasses and trees. It has neither birds nor beasts, nor water.

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē咸xián陰yīn之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，無wú水shuǐ。

Five hundred li further east lies Mount Xianyin (咸陰). It is devoid of grass and trees, and without water.

又yòu東dōng四sì百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē洵xún山shān，其qí陽yáng多duō金jīn，其qí陰yīn多duō玉yù。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú羊yáng而ér無wú口kǒu，不bù可kě殺shā也yě，其qí名míng曰yuē䍺huàn。洵xún水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú閼è之zhī澤zé，其qí中zhōng多duō芘pí蠃luǒ。

Four hundred li further east lies Mount Xun (洵山). Its southern slope abounds in gold, its northern slope in jade. There is a beast whose appearance resembles the sheep, but without a mouth; it cannot be killed; it is called huan (䍺). The Xun River (洵水) issues from it and flows south to empty into the E marsh (閼); it abounds in bi snails (芘蠃).

又yòu東dōng四sì百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē虖hū勺sháo之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō梓zǐ柟nán，其qí下xià多duō荊jīng杞qǐ。滂pāng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú海hǎi。

Four hundred li further east lies Mount Hushao (虖勺). Its summit abounds in catalpas (zi 梓) and nanmu (柟), its foot in jing shrubs (荊) and gouqi (杞). The Pang River (滂水) issues from it and flows east to empty into the sea.

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē區qū吳wú之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō砂shā石shí。鹿lù水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú滂pāng水shuǐ。

Five hundred li further east lies Mount Quwu (區吳). It is devoid of grass and trees and abounds in sand and stones. The Lu River (鹿水) issues from it and flows south to empty into the Pang (滂水).

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē鹿lù吳wú之zhī山shān，上shàng無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō金jīn石shí。澤zé更gèng之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú滂pāng水shuǐ。水shuǐ有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，名míng曰yuē蠱gǔ雕diāo，其qí狀zhuàng如rú雕diāo而ér有yǒu角jiǎo，其qí音yīn如rú嬰yīng兒ér之zhī音yīn，是shì食shí人rén。

Five hundred li further east lies Mount Luwu (鹿吳). Its summit is devoid of grass and trees and abounds in gold and stones. The Zegeng River (澤更) issues from it and flows south to empty into the Pang. In its waters dwells a beast called gudiao (蠱雕), whose appearance resembles the eagle, but furnished with horns; its voice is like the wailing of an infant; it devours men.

東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē漆qī吳wú之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō博bó石shí，無wú玉yù。處chù于yú海hǎi，東dōng望wàng丘qiū山shān，其qí光guāng載zài出chū載zài入rù，是shì惟wéi日rì次cì。

Five hundred li east lies Mount Qiwu (漆吳). It is devoid of grass and trees, abounds in bo stones (博石), but without jade. It stands at the edge of the sea; looking east, toward Mount Qiu (丘山), one sees a light now appearing, now vanishing: this is the dwelling of the sun.

凡fán《南nán次cì二èr經jīng》之zhī首shǒu，自zì柜guì山shān至zhì于yú漆qī吳wú之zhī山shān，凡fán十shí七qī山shān，七qī千qiān二èr百bǎi里lǐ。其qí神shén狀zhuàng皆jiē龍lóng身shēn而ér鳥niǎo首shǒu。其qí祠cí：毛máo用yòng一yī璧bì瘞yì，糈xǔ用yòng稌tú。

In all, from Mount Ju to Mount Qiwu, the Second Classic of the South numbers seventeen mountains, over seven thousand two hundred li. Their divinities all have a dragon's body and a bird's head. Their worship: for the offering of hair, one buries a jade disc (bi 璧); as sacred grain, one employs glutinous rice (tu 稌).

Third Classic of the Southern Mountains — 南次三经

《南nán次cì三sān經jīng》之zhī首shǒu，曰yuē天tiān虞yú之zhī山shān，其qí下xià多duō水shuǐ，不bù可kě以yǐ上shàng。

The first mountain of the Third Classic of the South is called Mount Tianyu (天虞). Its lower part abounds in waters; one cannot climb it.

東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē禱dǎo過guò之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō犀xī、兕sì，多duō象xiàng。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鵁jiāo，而ér白bái首shǒu、三sān足zú、人rén面miàn，其qí名míng曰yuē瞿qú如rú，其qí鳴míng自zì號hào也yě。泿yín水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú海hǎi。其qí中zhōng有yǒu虎hǔ蛟jiāo，其qí狀zhuàng魚yú身shēn而ér蛇shé尾wěi，其qí音yīn如rú鴛yuān鴦yāng，食shí者zhě不bù腫zhǒng，可kě以yǐ已yǐ痔zhì。

Five hundred li east lies Mount Daoguo (禱過). Its summit abounds in gold and jade; its foot abounds in rhinoceroses (xi 犀), wild buffaloes (si 兕) and elephants. There is a bird whose appearance resembles the heron (jiao 鵁), but with a white head, three legs and a human face; it is called quru (瞿如); its cry utters its own name. The Yin River (泿水) issues from it and flows south to empty into the sea. There is the hujiao (虎蛟), with a fish's body and a serpent's tail; its voice is like that of mandarin ducks; whoever eats it suffers no swellings, and it may cure haemorrhoids.

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē丹dān穴xué之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù。丹dān水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú渤bó海hǎi。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú雞jī，五wǔ采cǎi而ér文wén，名míng曰yuē鳳fèng皇huáng，首shǒu文wén曰yuē德dé，翼yì文wén曰yuē義yì，背bèi文wén曰yuē禮lǐ，膺yīng文wén曰yuē仁rén，腹fù文wén曰yuē信xìn。是shì鳥niǎo也yě，飲yǐn食shí自zì然rán，自zì歌gē自zì舞wǔ，見jiàn則zé天tiān下xià安ān寧níng。

Five hundred li further east lies Mount Danxue (丹穴). Its summit abounds in gold and jade. The Dan River (丹水) issues from it and flows south to empty into the Bohai Sea (渤海). There is a bird whose appearance resembles the cock, with plumage of five colours and adorned with patterns; it is called fenghuang (鳳皇, the phoenix). The patterns of its head figure Virtue (de 德), those of its wings the Sense of Right (yi 義), those of its back the Rites (li 禮), those of its breast Humaneness (ren 仁), those of its belly Good Faith (xin 信). This bird drinks and eats with measure, sings and dances of itself; when it appears, the empire knows peace and serenity.

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē發fā爽shuǎng之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō水shuǐ，多duō白bái猿yuán。汎fàn水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú渤bó海hǎi。

Five hundred li further east lies Mount Fashuang (發爽). It is devoid of grass and trees, abounds in waters and in white gibbons. The Fan River (汎水) issues from it and flows south to empty into the Bohai Sea.

又yòu東dōng四sì百bǎi里lǐ，至zhì于yú旄máo山shān之zhī尾wěi，其qí南nán有yǒu谷gǔ，曰yuē育yù遺yí，多duō怪guài鳥niǎo，凱kǎi風fēng自zì是shì出chū。

Four hundred li further east, one reaches the tail of Mount Mao (旄山). To the south opens a valley named Yuyi (育遺), peopled with strange birds; it is from there that the south wind (kaifeng 凱風) issues.

又yòu東dōng四sì百bǎi里lǐ，至zhì于yú非fēi山shān之zhī首shǒu，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，無wú水shuǐ，其qí下xià多duō蝮fù虫chóng。

Four hundred li further east, one reaches the head of Mount Fei (非山). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, but without water; its foot abounds in vipers.

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē陽yáng夾jiā之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō水shuǐ。

Five hundred li further east lies Mount Yangjia (陽夾). It is devoid of grass and trees and abounds in waters.

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē灌guàn湘xiāng之zhī山shān，上shàng多duō木mù，無wú草cǎo；多duō怪guài鳥niǎo，無wú獸shòu。

Five hundred li further east lies Mount Guanxiang (灌湘). Its summit abounds in trees, without grass; it abounds in strange birds, without beasts.

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē鷄jī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn，其qí下xià多duō丹dān雘wò。黑hēi水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú海hǎi。其qí中zhōng有yǒu鱄zhuān魚yú，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鮒fù而ér彘zhì毛máo，其qí音yīn如rú豚tún，見jiàn則zé天tiān下xià大dà旱hàn。

Five hundred li further east lies Mount Ji (鷄山). Its summit abounds in gold, its foot in cinnabar (danhuo 丹雘). The Black River (黑水) issues from it and flows south to empty into the sea. There is the zhuan fish (鱄魚), whose appearance resembles the bream (fu 鮒) but with pig's bristles; its voice is like that of the pig; when it appears, the empire knows a great drought.

又yòu東dōng四sì百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē令lìng丘qiū之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō火huǒ。其qí南nán有yǒu谷gǔ焉yān，曰yuē中zhōng谷gǔ，條tiáo風fēng自zì是shì出chū。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú梟xiāo，人rén面miàn四sì目mù而ér有yǒu耳ěr，其qí名míng曰yuē顒yóng，其qí鳴míng自zì號hào也yě，見jiàn則zé天tiān下xià大dà旱hàn。

Four hundred li further east lies Mount Lingqiu (令丘). It is devoid of grass and trees and abounds in fires. To the south opens a valley named Zhonggu (中谷); it is from there that the tiao wind (條風) issues. There is a bird whose appearance resembles the owl, with a human face, four eyes and ears; it is called yu (顒); its cry utters its own name; when it appears, the empire knows a great drought.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi七qī十shí里lǐ，曰yuē侖lún者zhě之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō青qīng䨼hù。有yǒu木mù焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú穀gǔ而ér赤chì理lǐ，其qí汗hàn如rú漆qī，其qí味wèi如rú飴yí，食shí者zhě不bù飢jī，可kě以yǐ釋shì勞láo，其qí名míng曰yuē白bái䓘gāo，可kě以yǐ血xuè玉yù。

Three hundred and seventy li further east lies Mount Lunzhe (侖者). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its foot in green ore (qīnghù). There is a tree whose appearance resembles the paper mulberry, with red veins; its sap is like lacquer and its taste like honey; whoever eats it is not hungry and is delivered from weariness; it is called baigao (白䓘); it may be used to dye jade red.

又yòu東dōng五wǔ百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē禺yú槀gǎo之zhī山shān，多duō怪guài獸shòu，多duō大dà蛇shé。

Five hundred and eighty li further east lies Mount Yugao (禺槀). It abounds in strange beasts and in great serpents.

東dōng五wǔ百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē南nán禺yú之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō水shuǐ。有yǒu穴xué焉yān，水shuǐ春chūn輒zhé入rù，夏xià乃nǎi出chū，冬dōng則zé閉bì。佐zuǒ水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng南nán流liú注zhù于yú海hǎi，有yǒu鳳fèng皇huáng、鵷yuān鶵chú。

Five hundred and eighty li east lies Mount Nanyu (南禺). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its foot in waters. There opens a cavern: in spring the waters enter it, in summer they issue from it, in winter it stays closed. The Zuo River (佐水) issues from it and flows southeast to empty into the sea; there are phoenixes (fenghuang) and yuanchu (鵷鶵).

凡fán《南nán次cì三sān經jīng》之zhī首shǒu，自zì天tiān虞yú之zhī山shān以yǐ至zhì南nán禺yú之zhī山shān，凡fán一yī十shí四sì山shān，六liù千qiān五wǔ百bǎi三sān十shí里lǐ。其qí神shén皆jiē龍lóng身shēn而ér人rén面miàn。其qí祠cí皆jiē一yī白bái狗gǒu祈qí，糈xǔ用yòng稌tú。

In all, from Mount Tianyu to Mount Nanyu, the Third Classic of the South numbers fourteen mountains, over six thousand five hundred and thirty li. Their divinities all have a dragon's body and a human face. For their worship, one offers to each a white dog in supplication; as sacred grain, one employs glutinous rice (tu 稌).

General Summary of the Southern Classic

右yòu南nán經jīng之zhī山shān志zhì，大dà小xiǎo凡fán四sì十shí山shān，萬wàn六liù千qiān三sān百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ。

Such is the register of the mountains of the Southern Classics: great and small, they number in all forty mountains, over sixteen thousand three hundred and eighty li.

Notes

Structure of the chapter. The 南山经 is made up of three successive "classics" (经): the range of Mount Que (ten peaks), the "Second Classic" (seventeen peaks) and the "Third Classic" (fourteen peaks). Each section ends with a colophon giving the number of peaks, the total distance in li, the aspect of the local divinities and the sacrificial rite due to them. A final recapitulation totals forty peaks over 16,380 li.

The li (里). A unit of distance; under the Han, about 400 to 500 metres. The figures in the text are schematic and belong to mythical geography rather than to any real survey.

Southern slope / northern slope (其阳 / 其阴). 阳 (yáng) denotes the sunlit slope (to the south of a mountain), 阴 (yīn) the shaded slope (to the north); they are rendered here as "southern slope" and "northern slope".

Recurring formulas. "Whoever eats it…" (食之) and "whoever carries it on his person…" (佩之) introduce the magical or medicinal virtues of the beings described. "When it appears…" (见则) signals the omen-creatures, whose appearance announces flood, drought, forced labour or unrest. "Its cry utters its own name" (其鸣自号) indicates an animal whose cry imitates the pronunciation of its name.

The phoenix (鳳皇 fènghuáng). The bird of Mount Danxue, whose plumage patterns figure the five Confucian virtues (Virtue, Sense of Right, Rites, Humaneness, Good Faith), is one of the most famous passages of the text: its appearance is an omen of universal peace.

The nine-tailed fox (九尾狐). The beast of Mount Qingqiu, with an infant's voice and a devourer of men, is the origin of a major figure of Chinese folklore.

Uncertain identifications. Many names of plants, minerals and animals (祝餘, 育沛, 青䨼, 留牛…) have no assured equivalent; they are transcribed in pinyin with the characters, and the English renderings ("green ore", "vipers", etc.) follow the traditional glosses (Guo Pu, Hao Yixing).

Chinese text after the Chinese Text Project (ctext.org). Translation and notes: Chine-culture.com.