Chapter 3 of the Classic of Mountains and Seas

The Classic of the Northern Mountains (北山经 Běishānjīng) is the third book of the Classic of Mountains and Seas. It runs, from south to north, through three arid and cold mountain ranges, peopled with minerals, omen-beasts and wondrous birds, and closes each range with the rite due to its deities. Notably, one reads here the myth of the bird Jingwei. The Chinese text is given with its pinyin transcription, followed by the English translation and notes.

First Northern Classic — 北山经

《北běi山shān經jīng》之zhī首shǒu，曰yuē單dān狐hú之zhī山shān，多duō机jī木mù，其qí上shàng多duō華huá草cǎo。漨féng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú泑yōu水shuǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō芘pí石shí文wén石shí。

The Classic of the Northern Mountains. The first mountain is called Mount Danhu (單狐). It abounds in ji trees (机); its summit abounds in hua grass (華草). The Feng River (漨水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the You (泑水); it abounds in bi stone (芘石) and veined stones (wenshi 文石).

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē求qiú如rú之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō銅tóng，其qí下xià多duō玉yù，無wú草cǎo木mù。滑gǔ水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú諸zhū毗pí之zhī水shuǐ。其qí中zhōng多duō滑gǔ魚yú，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鱓shàn，赤chì背bèi，其qí音yīn如rú梧wú，食shí之zhī已yǐ疣yóu。其qí中zhōng多duō水shuǐ馬mǎ，其qí狀zhuàng如rú馬mǎ，文wén臂bì牛niú尾wěi，其qí音yīn如rú呼hū。

Two hundred and fifty li further north lies Mount Qiuru (求如). Its summit abounds in copper, its foot in jade; it is devoid of grass and trees. The Hua River (滑水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the Zhubi (諸毗水). It abounds in gu fish (滑魚), resembling the eel (shan 鱓), with red backs, whose cry is like the wu (梧); whoever eats them is cured of warts. It also abounds in «water horses» (shuima 水馬), resembling the horse, with spotted forelegs and an ox's tail, whose cry is like a call.

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē帶dài山shān，其qí上shàng多duō玉yù，其qí下xià多duō青qīng碧bì。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú馬mǎ，一yī角jiǎo有yǒu錯cuò，其qí名míng曰yuē䑏huán䟽shū，可kě以yǐ辟pì火huǒ。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú烏wū，五wǔ彩cǎi而ér赤chì文wén，名míng曰yuē鵸qí鵌yú，是shì自zì為wèi牝pìn牡mǔ，食shí之zhī不bù疽jū。彭péng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú芘pí湖hú之zhī水shuǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō儵shū魚yú，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鷄jī而ér赤chì毛máo，三sān尾wěi、六liù足zú、四sì首shǒu，其qí音yīn如rú鵲què，食shí之zhī可kě以yǐ已yǐ憂yōu。

Three hundred li further north lies Mount Dai (帶山). Its summit abounds in jade, its foot in green jasper (qingbi 青碧). There is found a beast resembling the horse, with a single striated horn, called kuishu (䑏䟽); it guards against fire. There is found a bird resembling the crow, with five colors and red markings, called qiyu (鵸鵌); it is both male and female; whoever eats it has no abscesses. The Peng River (彭水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the Bihu (芘湖水); it abounds in shu fish (儵魚), resembling the cock but with red feathers, with three tails, six legs and four heads, whose cry is like that of the magpie; whoever eats them dispels their sorrows.

又yòu北běi四sì百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē譙qiào明míng之zhī山shān，譙qiào水shuǐ出chū焉yān，西xī流liú注zhù于yú河hé。其qí中zhōng多duō何hé羅luó之zhī魚yú，一yī首shǒu而ér十shí身shēn，其qí音yīn如rú吠fèi犬quǎn，食shí之zhī已yǐ癰yōng。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú貆huán而ér赤chì豪háo，其qí音yīn如rú榴liú榴liú，名míng曰yuē孟mèng槐huái，可kě以yǐ禦yù凶xiōng。是shì山shān也yě，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō青qīng雄xióng黃huáng。

Four hundred li further north lies Mount Qiaoming (譙明). The Qiao River (譙水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the River. It abounds in heluo fish (何羅), with one head and ten bodies, whose cry is like a dog's barking; whoever eats them is cured of abscesses. There is found a beast resembling the porcupine (huan 貆) but with white hair, whose cry is like that of a piglet; it loves to devour men; it is called mengkui (孟槐); it can ward off baleful influences.

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē涿zhuō光guāng之zhī山shān，囂xiāo水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú河hé。其qí中zhōng多duō鰼xí鰼xí之zhī魚yú，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鵲què而ér十shí翼yì，鱗lín皆jiē在zài羽yǔ端duān，其qí音yīn如rú鵲què，可kě以yǐ禦yù火huǒ，食shí之zhī不bù癉dàn。其qí上shàng多duō松sōng柏bǎi，其qí下xià多duō椶zōng橿jiāng，其qí獸shòu多duō麢líng羊yáng，其qí鳥niǎo多duō蕃fán。

Three hundred and fifty li further north lies Mount Zhuoguang (涿光). The Xiao River (囂水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the River. It abounds in xixi fish (鰼鰼), resembling the magpie but with ten wings, whose scales are all at the tips of the feathers, and whose cry is like that of the magpie; they guard against fire, and whoever eats them has no fever. Its summit abounds in pines and cypresses, its foot in palms (zong 椶) and jiang (橿); its beasts are mostly gorals (lingyang 麢羊), its birds mostly fan (蕃).

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē虢guó山shān，其qí上shàng多duō漆qī，其qí下xià多duō桐tóng椐jū，其qí陽yáng多duō玉yù，其qí陰yīn多duō鐵tiě。伊yī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，西xī流liú注zhù于yú河hé。其qí獸shòu多duō橐tuó駝tuó，其qí鳥niǎo多duō寓yù，狀zhuàng如rú鼠shǔ而ér鳥niǎo翼yì，其qí音yīn如rú羊yáng，可kě以yǐ禦yù兵bīng。

Three hundred and eighty li further north lies Mount Guo (虢山). Its summit abounds in lacquer trees, its foot in paulownias (tong 桐) and ju (椐); its southern slope in jade, its northern slope in iron. The Yi River (伊水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the River. Its beasts are mostly camels (tuotuo 橐駝), its birds mostly yu (寓), resembling the rat but with a bird's wings, whose cry is like that of the sheep; they guard against weapons.

又yòu北běi四sì百bǎi里lǐ，至zhì于yú虢guó山shān之zhī尾wěi，其qí上shàng多duō玉yù而ér無wú石shí。魚yú水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú河hé，其qí中zhōng多duō文wén貝bèi。

Four hundred li further north, one reaches the far end of Mount Guo. Its summit abounds in jade and is without stone. The Yu River (魚水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the River; it abounds in spotted shells.

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē丹dān熏xūn之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō樗chū柏bǎi，其qí草cǎo多duō韭jiǔ薤xiè，多duō丹dān雘wò。熏xūn水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú棠táng水shuǐ。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鼠shǔ，而ér菟tú首shǒu麋mí身shēn，其qí音yīn如rú獋háo犬quǎn，以yǐ其qí尾wěi飛fēi，名míng曰yuē耳ěr鼠shǔ，食shí之zhī不bù䐆cǎi，又yòu可kě以yǐ禦yù百bǎi毒dú。

Two hundred li further north lies Mount Danxun (丹熏). Its summit abounds in ailanthus (chu 樗) and cypress; its grasses are mostly scallion (jiu 韭) and garlic (xie 薤); it abounds in cinnabar (danhuo 丹雘). The Xun River (熏水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the Tang (棠水). There is found a beast resembling the rat, with a hare's head and an elaphure's body, whose cry is like the barking of an old dog, and which flies by means of its tail; it is called ershu (耳鼠); whoever eats it has no bloated belly, and it guards against all poisons.

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē石shí者zhě之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō瑤yáo碧bì。泚cǐ水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú河hé，有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú豹bào，而ér文wén題tí白bái身shēn，名míng曰yuē孟mèng極jí，是shì善shàn伏fú，其qí鳴míng自zì呼hū。

Two hundred and eighty li further north lies Mount Shizhe (石者). Its summit is without grass or trees, abounding in yao jade (瑤) and jasper. The Ci River (泚水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the River. There is found a beast resembling the panther, with a spotted forehead and white body, called mengji (孟極); it excels at hiding; its cry utters its own name.

又yòu北běi百bǎi一yī十shí里lǐ，曰yuē邊biān春chūn之zhī山shān，多duō葱cōng、葵kuí、韭jiǔ、桃táo、李lǐ。杠gāng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú泑yōu澤zé。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú禺yú而ér文wén身shēn，善shàn笑xiào，見jiàn人rén則zé臥wò，名míng曰yuē幽yōu鴳yàn，其qí鳴míng自zì呼hū。

One hundred and ten li further north lies Mount Bianchun (邊春). It abounds in scallion, mallow, garlic, peach trees and plum trees. The Gang River (杠水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the marsh of You (泑澤). There is found a beast resembling the monkey but with a spotted body, which loves to laugh and lies down on seeing men, called youyan (幽鴳); its cry utters its own name.

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē蔓màn聯lián之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng無wú草cǎo木mù。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú禺yú而ér有yǒu鬣liè，牛niú尾wěi、文wén臂bì、馬mǎ蹄tí，見jiàn人rén則zé呼hū，名míng曰yuē足zú訾zī，其qí鳴míng自zì呼hū。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，群qún居jū而ér朋péng飛fēi，其qí毛máo如rú雌cí雉zhì，名míng曰yuē鵁jiāo，其qí名míng自zì呼hū，食shí之zhī已yǐ風fēng。

Two hundred li further north lies Mount Manlian (蔓聯), whose summit is without grass or trees. There is found a beast resembling the monkey but furnished with a mane, with an ox's tail, spotted forelegs and a horse's hooves, which cries on seeing men, called zuzi (足訾); its cry utters its own name. There is found a bird that lives in flocks and flies in troops, with the plumage of a hen pheasant, called jiao (鵁); its cry utters its own name; whoever eats it is cured of ailments caused by wind.

又yòu北běi百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē單dān張zhāng之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng無wú草cǎo木mù。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú豹bào而ér長cháng尾wěi，人rén首shǒu而ér牛niú耳ěr，一yī目mù，名míng曰yuē諸zhū犍jiān，善shàn吒zhā，行xíng則zé衘xián其qí尾wěi，居jū則zé蟠pán其qí尾wěi。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú雉zhì，而ér文wén首shǒu、白bái翼yì、黃huáng足zú，名míng曰yuē白bái鵺yè，食shí之zhī已yǐ嗌ài痛tòng，可kě以yǐ已yǐ痸chì。櫟lì水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú杠gāng水shuǐ。

One hundred and eighty li further north lies Mount Danzhang (單張), whose summit is without grass or trees. There is found a beast resembling the panther but with a long tail, a human head and ox's ears, with a single eye, called zhujian (諸犍); it utters great cries, holds its tail in its mouth while walking and coils it when at rest. There is found a bird resembling the pheasant, with a spotted head, white wings and yellow legs, called baiye (白鵺); whoever eats it is cured of sore throat and convulsions. The Li River (櫟水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the Gang (杠水).

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē灌guàn題tí之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō樗chū柘zhè，其qí下xià多duō流liú沙shā，多duō砥dǐ。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú牛niú而ér白bái尾wěi，其qí音yīn如rú訆jiào，名míng曰yuē那nà父fù。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú雌cí雉zhì而ér人rén面miàn，見jiàn人rén則zé躍yuè，名míng曰yuē竦sǒng斯sī，其qí鳴míng自zì呼hū也yě。匠jiàng韓hán之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú泑yōu澤zé，其qí中zhōng多duō磁cí石shí。

Three hundred and twenty li further north lies Mount Guanti (灌題). Its summit abounds in ailanthus (chu 樗) and dyer's mulberry (zhe 柘), its foot in shifting sands and whetstone (di 砥). There is found a beast resembling the ox but with a white tail, whose cry is «jiao», called nafu (那父). There is found a bird resembling the hen pheasant but with a human face, which leaps on seeing men, called songsi (竦斯); its cry utters its own name. The Jianghan River (匠韓水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the marsh of You; it abounds in magnetite (cishi 磁石).

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē潘pān侯hóu之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō松sōng柏bǎi，其qí下xià多duō榛zhēn楛hù，其qí陽yáng多duō玉yù，其qí陰yīn多duō鐵tiě。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú牛niú，而ér四sì節jié生shēng毛máo，名míng曰yuē旄máo牛niú。邊biān水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú櫟lì澤zé。

Two hundred li further north lies Mount Panhou (潘侯). Its summit abounds in pines and cypresses, its foot in hazels (zhen 榛) and hu (楛); its southern slope in jade, its northern slope in iron. There is found a beast resembling the ox, whose four limbs bear hair, called maoniu (旄牛, yak). The Bian River (邊水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the marsh of Li (櫟澤).

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi三sān十shí里lǐ，曰yuē小xiǎo咸xián之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，冬dōng夏xià有yǒu雪xuě。

Two hundred and thirty li further north lies Mount Xiaoxian (小咸), devoid of grass and trees, covered with snow winter and summer.

北běi二èr百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē大dà咸xián之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，其qí下xià多duō玉yù。是shì山shān也yě，四sì方fāng，不bù可kě以yǐ上shàng。有yǒu蛇shé名míng曰yuē長cháng蛇shé，其qí毛máo如rú彘zhì豪háo，其qí音yīn如rú鼓gǔ柝tuò。

Two hundred and eighty li to the north lies Mount Daxian (大咸), devoid of grass and trees; its foot abounds in jade. This mountain is square and cannot be climbed. There is found a serpent called changshe (長蛇), with bristles like a pig's, whose sound is like the watchman's rattle.

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē敦dūn薨hōng之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō椶zōng柟nán，其qí下xià多duō茈zǐ草cǎo。敦dūn薨hōng之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú泑yōu澤zé。出chū于yú崑kūn崙lún之zhī東dōng北běi隅yú，實shí惟wéi河hé源yuán。其qí中zhōng多duō赤chì鮭guī，其qí獸shòu多duō兕sì、旄máo牛niú，其qí鳥niǎo多duō鳲shī鳩jiū。

Three hundred and twenty li further north lies Mount Dunhong (敦薨). Its summit abounds in palms and nanmu, its foot in zi grass (茈草). The Dunhong River (敦薨水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the marsh of You. It issues from the northeastern corner of the Kunlun: it is the true source of the River. It abounds in red salmon (chigui 赤鮭); its beasts are mostly wild buffaloes and yaks, its birds mostly cuckoos (shijiu 鳲鳩).

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē少shǎo咸xián之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō青qīng碧bì。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú牛niú，而ér赤chì身shēn、人rén面miàn、馬mǎ足zú，名míng曰yuē窫yà窳yǔ，其qí音yīn如rú嬰yīng兒ér，是shì食shí人rén。敦dūn水shuǐ出chū焉yān，東dōng流liú注zhù于yú鴈yàn門mén之zhī水shuǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō䰽bèi䰽bèi之zhī魚yú，食shí之zhī殺shā人rén。

Two hundred li further north lies Mount Shaoxian (少咸), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in green jasper. There is found a beast resembling the ox, with a red body, a human face and horse's legs, called yayu (窫窳), whose cry is like that of an infant; it devours men. The Dun River (敦水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Yanmen (鴈門水); it abounds in huanhuan fish (䰽䰽), whose flesh kills those who eat them.

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē獄yù法fǎ之zhī山shān，瀤huái澤zé之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng北běi流liú注zhù于yú泰tài澤zé。其qí中zhōng多duō䲃zǎo魚yú，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鯉lǐ而ér雞jī足zú，食shí之zhī已yǐ疣yóu。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú犬quǎn而ér人rén面miàn，善shàn投tóu，見jiàn人rén則zé笑xiào，其qí名míng山shān𤟤huī，其qí行xíng如rú風fēng，見jiàn則zé天tiān下xià大dà風fēng。

Two hundred li further north lies Mount Yufa (獄法). The river of the marsh of Huai (瀤澤水) rises from it and flows northeast to empty into the marsh of Tai (泰澤). It abounds in ji fish (䲃魚), resembling the carp but with a cock's feet; whoever eats them is cured of warts. There is found a beast resembling the dog but with a human face, skilled at throwing, which laughs on seeing men, called shanhui (山𤟤); it runs like the wind; when it appears, the empire knows great winds.

又yòu北běi一yī百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē北běi嶽yuè之zhī山shān，多duō枳zhǐ棘jí剛gāng木mù。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú牛niú而ér四sì角jiǎo，人rén目mù、彘zhì耳ěr，其qí名míng曰yuē諸zhū懷huái，其qí音yīn如rú鳴míng鴈yàn，是shì食shí人rén。諸zhū懷huái之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú囂xiāo水shuǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō鮨yì魚yú，魚yú身shēn而ér犬quǎn首shǒu，其qí音yīn如rú嬰yīng兒ér，食shí之zhī已yǐ狂kuáng。

One hundred li further north lies Mount Beiyue (北嶽), abounding in thorny citron (zhiji 枳棘) and hardwood (gangmu 剛木). There is found a beast resembling the ox, with four horns, human eyes and a pig's ears, called zhuhuai (諸懷), whose cry is like that of the goose; it devours men. The Zhuhuai River (諸懷水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the Xiao (囂水); it abounds in yi fish (鮨魚), with a fish's body and a dog's head, whose cry is like that of an infant; whoever eats them is cured of madness.

又yòu北běi百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē渾hún夕xī之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō銅tóng玉yù。囂xiāo水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī北běi流liú注zhù于yú海hǎi。有yǒu蛇shé一yī首shǒu兩liǎng身shēn，名míng曰yuē肥féi遺yí，見jiàn則zé其qí國guó大dà旱hàn。

One hundred and eighty li further north lies Mount Hunxi (渾夕), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in copper and jade. The Xiao River (囂水) rises from it and flows northwest to empty into the sea. There is found a serpent with one head and two bodies, called feiyi (肥遺); when it appears, the country knows a great drought.

又yòu北běi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē北běi單dān之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō葱cōng韭jiǔ。

Fifty li further north lies Mount Beidan (北單), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in scallion and garlic.

又yòu北běi百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē羆pí差chà之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō馬mǎ。

One hundred li further north lies Mount Picha (羆差), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in horses.

又yòu北běi百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē北běi鮮xiān之zhī山shān，是shì多duō馬mǎ。鮮xiān水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī北běi流liú注zhù于yú涂tú吾wú之zhī水shuǐ。

One hundred and eighty li further north lies Mount Beixian (北鮮), abounding in horses. The Xian River (鮮水) rises from it and flows northwest to empty into the Tuwu (涂吾水).

又yòu北běi百bǎi七qī十shí里lǐ，曰yuē隄dī山shān，多duō馬mǎ。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú豹bào而ér文wén首shǒu，名míng曰yuē狕yǎo。隄dī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú泰tài澤zé，其qí中zhōng多duō龍lóng龜guī。

One hundred and seventy li further north lies Mount Di (隄山), abounding in horses. There is found a beast resembling the panther but with a spotted head, called yao (狕). The Di River (隄水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the marsh of Tai; it abounds in dragon-turtles (longgui 龍龜).

凡fán《北běi山shān經jīng》之zhī首shǒu，自zì單dān狐hú之zhī山shān至zhì于yú隄dī山shān，凡fán二èr十shí五wǔ山shān，五wǔ千qiān四sì百bǎi九jiǔ十shí里lǐ，其qí神shén皆jiē人rén面miàn蛇shé身shēn。其qí祠cí之zhī，毛máo用yòng一yī雄xióng鷄jī彘zhì瘞yì，吉jí玉yù用yòng一yī珪guī，瘞yì而ér不bù糈xǔ。其qí山shān北běi人rén，皆jiē生shēng食shí不bù火huǒ之zhī物wù。

In all, from Mount Danhu to Mount Di, the first range of the Northern Classic counts twenty-five mountains, over five thousand four hundred and ninety li. Their deities all have a human face and a serpent's body. For their cult, one buries a cock and a pig, and uses a tablet of auspicious jade (gui 珪), which is buried without sacred grain. The people north of these mountains all eat raw, without fire.

Second Northern Classic — 北次二经

北běi次cì二èr經jīng之zhī首shǒu，在zài河hé之zhī東dōng，其qí首shǒu枕zhěn汾fén，其qí名míng曰yuē管guǎn涔cén之zhī山shān。其qí上shàng無wú木mù而ér多duō草cǎo，其qí下xià多duō玉yù。汾fén水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú河hé。

The first mountain of the Second Northern Classic lies east of the River, its head resting on the Fen (汾); it is called Mount Guancen (管涔). Its summit is without trees but abounds in grass, its foot in jade. The Fen River (汾水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the River.

又yòu西xī二èr百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē少shǎo陽yáng之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō玉yù，其qí下xià多duō赤chì銀yín。酸suān水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú汾fén水shuǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō美měi赭zhě。

Two hundred and fifty li to the west lies Mount Shaoyang (少陽). Its summit abounds in jade, its foot in red silver (chiyin 赤銀). The Suan River (酸水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Fen; it abounds in fine ochre (zhe 赭).

又yòu北běi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē縣xiàn雍yōng之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō玉yù，其qí下xià多duō銅tóng，其qí獸shòu多duō閭lǘ麋mí，其qí鳥niǎo多duō白bái翟dí白bái䳑yǒu，晉jìn水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng南nán流liú注zhù于yú汾fén水shuǐ。其qí中zhōng多duō鮆cǐ魚yú，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鯈tiáo而ér赤chì鱗lín，其qí音yīn如rú叱chì，食shí之zhī不bù驕jiāo。

Fifty li further north lies Mount Xuanyong (縣雍). Its summit abounds in jade, its foot in copper; its beasts are mostly lümi deer (閭麋), its birds mostly white di (baidi 白翟) and baiji (白䳑). The Jin River (晉水) rises from it and flows southeast to empty into the Fen. It abounds in ji fish (鮆魚), resembling the tiao (鯈) but with red scales, whose cry is like a rebuke; whoever eats them does not become arrogant.

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē狐hú岐qí之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō青qīng碧bì。勝shèng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng北běi流liú注zhù于yú汾fén水shuǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō蒼cāng玉yù。

Two hundred li further north lies Mount Huqi (狐岐), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in green jasper. The Sheng River (勝水) rises from it and flows northeast to empty into the Fen; it abounds in dark green jade (cangyu 蒼玉).

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē白bái沙shā山shān，廣guǎng員yuán三sān百bǎi里lǐ，盡jǐn沙shā也yě，無wú草cǎo木mù鳥niǎo獸shòu。鮪wěi水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí上shàng，潛qián于yú其qí下xià，是shì多duō白bái玉yù。

Three hundred and fifty li further north lies Mount Baisha (白沙), three hundred li around, all of sand, without grass, tree, bird or beast. The Wei River (鮪水) rises at its summit and is swallowed up at its foot; it abounds in white jade.

又yòu北běi四sì百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē爾ěr是shì之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，無wú水shuǐ。

Four hundred li further north lies Mount Ershi (爾是), without grass or trees, and without water.

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē狂kuáng山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù。是shì山shān也yě，冬dōng夏xià有yǒu雪xuě。狂kuáng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī流liú注zhù于yú浮fú水shuǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō美měi玉yù。

Three hundred and eighty li further north lies Mount Kuang (狂山), devoid of grass and trees. This mountain is snowbound winter and summer. The Kuang River (狂水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the Fu (浮水); it abounds in fine jade.

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē諸zhū餘yú之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō銅tóng玉yù，其qí下xià多duō松sōng柏bǎi。諸zhū餘yú之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú旄máo水shuǐ。

Three hundred and eighty li further north lies Mount Zhuyu (諸餘). Its summit abounds in copper and jade, its foot in pines and cypresses. The Zhuyu River (諸餘水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Mao (旄水).

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē敦dūn頭tóu之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，無wú草cǎo木mù。旄máo水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú印yìn澤zé，其qí中zhōng多duō𩣡bó馬mǎ，牛niú尾wěi而ér白bái身shēn，一yī角jiǎo其qí音yīn如rú呼hū。

Three hundred and fifty li further north lies Mount Duntou (敦頭). Its summit abounds in gold and jade; it is devoid of grass and trees. The Mao River (旄水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the marsh of Yin (印澤); it abounds in huang horses (𩣡馬), with an ox's tail and a white body, with a single horn, whose cry is like a call.

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē鉤gōu吾wú之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō玉yù，其qí下xià多duō銅tóng。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú羊yáng身shēn人rén面miàn，其qí目mù在zài腋yè下xià，虎hǔ齒chǐ人rén爪zhǎo，其qí音yīn如rú嬰yīng兒ér，名míng曰yuē狍páo鴞xiāo，是shì食shí人rén。

Three hundred and fifty li further north lies Mount Gouwu (鉤吾). Its summit abounds in jade, its foot in copper. There is found a beast with a sheep's body and a human face, its eyes under its armpits, with tiger's teeth and human nails, whose cry is like that of an infant, called paoxiao (狍鴞); it devours men.

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē北běi囂xiāo之zhī山shān，無wú石shí，其qí陽yáng多duō碧bì，其qí陰yīn多duō玉yù。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú虎hǔ，而ér白bái身shēn犬quǎn首shǒu，馬mǎ尾wěi彘zhì鬣liè，名míng曰yuē獨dú𤞞yù。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú烏wū，人rén面miàn，名míng曰yuē𪄀pán𪃑mào，宵xiāo飛fēi而ér晝zhòu伏fú，食shí之zhī已yǐ暍yē。涔cén水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú卭qióng澤zé。

Three hundred li further north lies Mount Beixiao (北囂), without stone; its southern slope abounds in jasper, its northern slope in jade. There is found a beast resembling the tiger, with a white body and a dog's head, a horse's tail and a pig's mane, called dubo (獨𤞞). There is found a bird resembling the crow, with a human face, called huihui (𪄀𪃑), which flies by night and hides by day; whoever eats it is cured of sunstroke. The Cen River (涔水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the marsh of Qiong (卭澤).

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē梁liáng渠qú之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō金jīn玉yù。脩xiū水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú鴈yàn門mén，其qí獸shòu多duō居jū暨jì，其qí狀zhuàng如rú彙huì而ér赤chì毛máo，其qí音yīn如rú豚tún，有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú夸kuā父fù，四sì翼yì、一yī目mù、犬quǎn尾wěi，名míng曰yuē囂xiāo，其qí音yīn如rú鵲què，食shí之zhī已yǐ腹fù痛tòng，可kě以yǐ止zhǐ衕tòng。

Three hundred and fifty li further north lies Mount Liangqu (梁渠), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in gold and jade. The Xiu River (脩水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Yanmen. Its beasts are mostly juji (居暨), resembling the hedgehog but with red hair, whose cry is like that of the piglet. There is found a bird resembling Kuafu (夸父), with four wings, one eye and a dog's tail, called xiao (囂), whose cry is like that of the magpie; whoever eats it is cured of stomachache and stops diarrhea.

又yòu北běi四sì百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē姑gū灌guàn之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，是shì山shān也yě，冬dōng夏xià有yǒu雪xuě。

Four hundred li further north lies Mount Guguan (姑灌), devoid of grass and trees; this mountain is snowbound winter and summer.

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē湖hú灌guàn之zhī山shān，其qí陽yáng多duō玉yù，其qí陰yīn多duō碧bì，多duō馬mǎ。湖hú灌guàn之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú海hǎi，其qí中zhōng多duō䱇shàn。有yǒu木mù焉yān，其qí葉yè如rú柳liǔ而ér赤chì理lǐ。

Three hundred and eighty li further north lies Mount Huguan (湖灌). Its southern slope abounds in jade, its northern slope in jasper; it abounds in horses. The Huguan River (湖灌水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the sea; it abounds in eels (shan 䱇). There is found a tree with willow leaves veined with red.

又yòu北běi水shuǐ行xíng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，流liú沙shā三sān百bǎi里lǐ，至zhì于yú洹huán山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù。三sān桑sāng生shēng之zhī，其qí樹shù皆jiē無wú枝zhī，其qí高gāo百bǎi仞rèn。百bǎi果guǒ樹shù生shēng之zhī，其qí下xià多duō怪guài蛇shé。

Five hundred li further north by water, then three hundred li of shifting sands, one reaches Mount Huan (洹山). Its summit abounds in gold and jade. Three mulberries (sansang 三桑) grow there, all without branches, a hundred ren tall. The tree of a hundred fruits also grows there; at its foot strange serpents swarm.

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē敦dūn題tí之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō金jīn玉yù。是shì錞duì于yú北běi海hǎi。

Three hundred li further north lies Mount Duntu (敦題), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in gold and jade. It backs onto the northern sea.

凡fán《北běi次cì二èr經jīng》之zhī首shǒu，自zì管guǎn涔cén之zhī山shān至zhì于yú敦dūn題tí之zhī山shān，凡fán十shí七qī山shān，五wǔ千qiān六liù百bǎi九jiǔ十shí里lǐ。其qí神shén皆jiē蛇shé身shēn人rén面miàn。其qí祠cí：毛máo用yòng一yī雄xióng雞jī彘zhì瘞yì；用yòng一yī璧bì一yī珪guī，投tóu而ér不bù糈xǔ。

In all, from Mount Guancen to Mount Duntu, the Second Northern Classic counts seventeen mountains, over five thousand six hundred and ninety li. Their deities all have a serpent's body and a human face. For their cult: one buries a cock and a pig; one uses a jade disk (bi 璧) and a tablet (gui 珪), which are cast into the water, without sacred grain.

Third Northern Classic — 北次三经

《北běi次cì三sān經jīng》之zhī首shǒu曰yuē太tài行xíng之zhī山shān。其qí首shǒu曰yuē歸guī山shān，其qí上shàng有yǒu金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià有yǒu碧bì。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú麢líng羊yáng而ér四sì角jiǎo，馬mǎ尾wěi而ér有yǒu距jù，其qí名míng曰yuē䮝jué，善shàn還hái，其qí鳴míng自zì䚯tǎo。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鵲què，白bái身shēn、赤chì尾wěi、六liù足zú，其qí名míng曰yuē䴅xié，是shì善shàn驚jīng，其qí鳴míng自zì詨xiào。

The first mountain of the Third Northern Classic is called Mount Taihang (太行). Its head is Mount Gui (歸山): its summit holds gold and jade, its foot jasper. There is found a beast resembling the goral but with four horns, a horse's tail and furnished with spurs, called jue (䮝); it loves to spin around, and its cry utters its own name. There is found a bird resembling the magpie, with a white body, red tail and six legs, called xie (䴅); it is easily startled, and its cry utters its own name.

又yòu東dōng北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē龍lóng侯hóu之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō金jīn玉yù。決jué決jué之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú河hé。其qí中zhōng多duō人rén魚yú，其qí狀zhuàng如rú䱱tí魚yú，四sì足zú，其qí音yīn如rú嬰yīng兒ér，食shí之zhī無wú癡chī疾jí。

Two hundred li further northeast lies Mount Longhou (龍侯), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in gold and jade. The Juejue River (決決水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the River. It abounds in «man-fish» (renyu 人魚, salamanders), resembling the ti fish (䱱魚), with four legs, whose cry is like that of an infant; whoever eats them does not suffer from dementia.

又yòu東dōng北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē馬mǎ成chéng之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō文wén石shí，其qí陰yīn多duō金jīn玉yù。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú白bái犬quǎn而ér黑hēi頭tóu，見jiàn人rén則zé飛fēi，其qí名míng曰yuē天tiān馬mǎ，其qí鳴míng自zì䚯tǎo。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú烏wū，首shǒu白bái而ér身shēn青qīng、足zú黃huáng，是shì名míng曰yuē鶌qū鶋jū，其qí鳴míng自zì詨xiào，食shí之zhī不bù飢jī，可kě以yǐ已yǐ寓yù。

Two hundred li further northeast lies Mount Macheng (馬成). Its summit abounds in spotted stones, its northern slope in gold and jade. There is found a beast resembling a white dog with a black head, which flies on seeing men, called tianma (天馬, celestial horse); its cry utters its own name. There is found a bird resembling the crow, with a white head, a blue-green body and yellow legs, called quju (鶌鶋); its cry utters its own name; whoever eats it does not hunger and is cured of tumors.

又yòu東dōng北běi七qī十shí里lǐ，曰yuē咸xián山shān，其qí上shàng有yǒu玉yù，其qí下xià多duō銅tóng，是shì多duō松sōng柏bǎi，草cǎo多duō茈zǐ草cǎo。條tiáo菅jiān之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī南nán流liú注zhù于yú長cháng澤zé。其qí中zhōng多duō器qì酸suān，三sān歲suì一yī成chéng，食shí之zhī已yǐ癘lì。

Seventy li further northeast lies Mount Xian (咸山). Its summit holds jade, its foot abounds in copper; it abounds in pines and cypresses, and its grasses mostly in zi grass (茈草). The Tiaojian River (條菅水) rises from it and flows southwest to empty into the marsh of Chang (長澤). It abounds in qisuan (器酸), which ripen once every three years; whoever eats them is cured of leprosy.

又yòu東dōng北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē天tiān池chí之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō文wén石shí。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú兔tù而ér鼠shǔ首shǒu，以yǐ其qí背bèi飛fēi，其qí名míng曰yuē飛fēi鼠shǔ。澠miǎn水shuǐ出chū焉yān，潛qián于yú其qí下xià，其qí中zhōng多duō黃huáng堊è。

Two hundred li further northeast lies Mount Tianchi (天池). Its summit is without grass or trees, abounding in spotted stones. There is found a beast resembling the hare but with a rat's head, which flies on its back, called feishu (飛鼠); the Mian River (澠水) rises from it and is swallowed up at its foot; it abounds in yellow chalk (huang'e 黃堊).

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē陽yáng山shān，其qí上shàng多duō玉yù，其qí下xià多duō金jīn銅tóng。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú牛niú而ér赤chì尾wěi，其qí頸jǐng𦜜shèn，其qí狀zhuàng如rú勾gōu瞿qú，其qí名míng曰yuē領lǐng胡hú，其qí鳴míng自zì詨xiào，食shí之zhī已yǐ狂kuáng。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú雌cí雉zhì，而ér五wǔ彩cǎi以yǐ文wén，是shì自zì為wèi牝pìn牡mǔ，名míng曰yuē象xiàng蛇shé，其qí鳴míng自zì詨xiào。留liú水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú河hé。其qí中zhōng有yǒu䱤xiàn父fù之zhī魚yú，其qí狀zhuàng如rú鮒fù魚yú，魚yú首shǒu而ér彘zhì身shēn，食shí之zhī已yǐ嘔ǒu。

Three hundred li further east lies Mount Yang (陽山). Its summit abounds in jade, its foot in gold and copper. There is found a beast resembling the ox but with a red tail, with a bulging neck like the gouqu (勾瞿), called linghu (領胡), whose cry utters its own name; whoever eats it is cured of madness. There is found a bird resembling the hen pheasant, with five colors adorned with patterns, both male and female, called xiangshe (象蛇); its cry utters its own name. The Liu River (留水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the River. There is found the fufu fish (䱤父), resembling the bream, with a fish's head and a pig's body; whoever eats it is cured of vomiting.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ，曰yuē賁bì聞wén之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō蒼cāng玉yù，其qí下xià多duō黃huáng堊è，多duō涅niè石shí。

Three hundred and fifty li further east lies Mount Benwen (賁聞). Its summit abounds in dark green jade (cangyu 蒼玉), its foot in yellow chalk and black alum (nieshi 涅石).

又yòu北běi百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē王wáng屋wū之zhī山shān，是shì多duō石shí。㶌huì水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér西xī北běi流liú注zhù于yú泰tài澤zé。

One hundred li further north lies Mount Wangwu (王屋), abounding in stones. The Hui River (㶌水) rises from it and flows northwest to empty into the marsh of Tai.

又yòu東dōng北běi三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē教jiào山shān，其qí上shàng多duō玉yù而ér無wú石shí。教jiào水shuǐ出chū焉yān，西xī流liú注zhù于yú河hé，是shì水shuǐ冬dōng乾qián而ér夏xià流liú，實shí惟wéi乾qián河hé。其qí中zhōng有yǒu兩liǎng山shān，是shì山shān也yě，廣guǎng員yuán三sān百bǎi步bù，其qí名míng曰yuē發fā丸wán之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng有yǒu金jīn玉yù。

Three hundred li further northeast lies Mount Jiao (教山). Its summit abounds in jade and is without stone. The Jiao River (教水) rises from it and flows west to empty into the River; this river is dry in winter and flows in summer: it is in truth a «dry river». In its midst rise two mounds, three hundred paces around, called the Fawan mounts (發丸); their summit holds gold and jade.

又yòu南nán三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē景jǐng山shān，南nán望wàng鹽yán販fàn之zhī澤zé，北běi望wàng少shǎo澤zé，其qí上shàng多duō草cǎo、藷shǔ藇xù，其qí草cǎo多duō秦qín椒jiāo，其qí陰yīn多duō赭zhě，其qí陽yáng多duō玉yù。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú蛇shé，而ér四sì翼yì、六liù目mù、三sān足zú，名míng曰yuē酸suān與yǔ，其qí鳴míng自zì詨xiào，見jiàn則zé其qí邑yì有yǒu恐kǒng。

Three hundred li further south lies Mount Jing (景山). To the south it looks toward the marsh of the salt merchants (Yanfan 鹽販), to the north toward the marsh of Shao (少澤). Its summit abounds in grasses and yams (shuxu 藷藇), its grasses mostly in Sichuan pepper (qinjiao 秦椒); its northern slope in ochre, its southern slope in jade. There is found a bird resembling the serpent, with four wings, six eyes and three legs, called suanyu (酸與); its cry utters its own name; when it appears, the region knows terror.

又yòu東dōng南nán三sān百bǎi二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē孟mèng門mén之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō蒼cāng玉yù，多duō金jīn，其qí下xià多duō黃huáng堊è，多duō涅niè石shí。

Three hundred and twenty li further southeast lies Mount Mengmen (孟門). Its summit abounds in dark green jade and gold, its foot in yellow chalk and black alum.

又yòu東dōng南nán三sān百bǎi二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē平píng山shān。平píng水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí上shàng，潛qián于yú其qí下xià，是shì多duō美měi玉yù。

Three hundred and twenty li further southeast lies Mount Ping (平山). The Ping River (平水) rises at its summit and is swallowed up at its foot; it abounds in fine jade.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē京jīng山shān，有yǒu美měi玉yù，多duō漆qī木mù，多duō竹zhú，其qí陽yáng有yǒu赤chì銅tóng，其qí陰yīn有yǒu玄xuán䃤sù。高gāo水shuǐ出chū焉yān，南nán流liú注zhù于yú河hé。

Three hundred li further east lies Mount Jing (京山), where fine jade is found; it abounds in lacquer trees and bamboo; its southern slope holds red copper, its northern slope black stone (xuanpei 玄䃤). The Gao River (高水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the River.

又yòu東dōng二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē虫chóng尾wěi之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō竹zhú，多duō青qīng碧bì。丹dān水shuǐ出chū焉yān，南nán流liú注zhù于yú河hé。薄báo水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng南nán流liú注zhù于yú黃huáng澤zé。

Two hundred li further east lies Mount Chongwei (虫尾). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its foot in bamboo and green jasper. The Dan River (丹水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the River. The Bo River (薄水) rises from it and flows southeast to empty into the marsh of Huang (黃澤).

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē彭péng毗pí之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō水shuǐ。蚤zǎo林lín之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，東dōng南nán流liú注zhù于yú河hé。肥féi水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú床chuáng水shuǐ，其qí中zhōng多duō肥féi遺yí之zhī蛇shé。

Three hundred li further east lies Mount Pengbi (彭毗). Its summit is without grass or trees, abounding in gold and jade; its foot abounds in waters. The Zaolin River (蚤林水) rises from it and flows southeast to empty into the River. The Fei River (肥水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the Chuang (床水); it abounds in feiyi serpents (肥遺).

又yòu東dōng百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē小xiǎo侯hóu之zhī山shān。明míng漳zhāng之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，南nán流liú注zhù于yú黃huáng澤zé。有yǒu鳥niǎo，其qí狀zhuàng如rú烏wū而ér白bái文wén，名míng曰yuē鴣gū𪄶xí，食shí之zhī不bù灂zhuó。

One hundred and eighty li further east lies Mount Xiaohou (小侯). The Mingzhang River (明漳水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the marsh of Huang. There is found a bird resembling the crow but with white markings, called guhu (鴣𪄶); whoever eats it does not have blurred sight.

又yòu東dōng三sān百bǎi七qī十shí里lǐ，曰yuē泰tài頭tóu之zhī山shān，共gòng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，南nán注zhù于yú虖hū池chí。其qí上shàng多duō金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià多duō竹zhú箭jiàn。

Three hundred and seventy li further east lies Mount Taitou (泰頭). The Gong River (共水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the Huchi (虖池). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its foot in arrow bamboo.

又yòu東dōng北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē軒xuān轅yuán之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō銅tóng，其qí下xià多duō竹zhú。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú梟xiāo而ér白bái首shǒu，其qí名míng曰yuē黃huáng鳥niǎo，其qí鳴míng自zì詨xiào，食shí之zhī不bù妬dù。

Two hundred li further northeast lies Mount Xuanyuan (軒轅). Its summit abounds in copper, its foot in bamboo. There is found a bird resembling the owl but with a white head, called huangniao (黃鳥); its cry utters its own name; whoever eats it knows no jealousy.

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē謁yè戾lì之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō松sōng柏bǎi，有yǒu金jīn玉yù。沁qìn水shuǐ出chū焉yān，南nán流liú注zhù于yú河hé。其qí東dōng有yǒu林lín焉yān，名míng曰yuē丹dān林lín。丹dān林lín之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，南nán流liú注zhù于yú河hé。嬰yīng侯hóu之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，北běi流liú注zhù于yú氾fàn水shuǐ。

Two hundred li further north lies Mount Yeli (謁戾). Its summit abounds in pines and cypresses, and holds gold and jade. The Qin River (沁水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the River. To the east extends a forest called Danlin (丹林). The Danlin River (丹林水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the River. The Yinghou River (嬰侯水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the Fan (氾水).

東dōng三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē沮jǔ洳rù之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，有yǒu金jīn玉yù。濝qí水shuǐ出chū焉yān，南nán流liú注zhù于yú河hé。

Three hundred li to the east lies Mount Juru (沮洳), devoid of grass and trees, holding gold and jade. The Ji River (濝水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the River.

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē神shén囷qūn之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng有yǒu文wén石shí，其qí下xià有yǒu白bái蛇shé，有yǒu飛fēi蟲chóng。黃huáng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú洹huán。滏fǔ水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú歐ōu水shuǐ。

Three hundred li further north lies Mount Shenqun (神囷). Its summit holds spotted stones, its foot white serpents and flying insects. The Huang River (黃水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Huan (洹). The Fu River (滏水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Ou (歐水).

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē發fā鳩jiū之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō柘zhè木mù。有yǒu鳥niǎo焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú烏wū，文wén首shǒu、白bái喙huì、赤chì足zú，名míng曰yuē精jīng衛wèi，其qí鳴míng自zì詨xiào。是shì炎yán帝dì之zhī少shǎo女nǚ，名míng曰yuē女nǚ娃wá，女nǚ娃wá遊yóu于yú東dōng海hǎi，溺nì而ér不bù返fǎn，故gù為wèi精jīng衛wèi，常cháng銜xián西xī山shān之zhī木mù石shí，以yǐ堙yīn于yú東dōng海hǎi。漳zhāng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，東dōng流liú注zhù于yú河hé。

Two hundred li further north lies Mount Fajiu (發鳩). Its summit abounds in dyer's mulberry (zhe 柘). There is found a bird resembling the crow, with a spotted head, white beak and red legs, called jingwei (精衛); its cry utters its own name. She was the youngest daughter of Emperor Yan (Yandi), named Nüwa: walking upon the eastern sea, she drowned there never to return, and became the bird jingwei. Ceaselessly she carries in her beak wood and stones from the western mountains to fill in the eastern sea. The Zhang River (漳水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the River.

又yòu東dōng北běi百bǎi二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē少shǎo山shān，其qí上shàng有yǒu金jīn玉yù，其qí下xià有yǒu銅tóng。清qīng漳zhāng之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，東dōng流liú于yú濁zhuó漳zhāng之zhī水shuǐ。

One hundred and twenty li further northeast lies Mount Shao (少山). Its summit holds gold and jade, its foot copper. The Qingzhang River (清漳水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Zhuozhang (濁漳水).

又yòu東dōng北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē錫xī山shān，其qí上shàng多duō玉yù，其qí下xià有yǒu砥dǐ。牛niú首shǒu之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú滏fǔ水shuǐ。

Two hundred li further northeast lies Mount Xi (錫山). Its summit abounds in jade, its foot holds whetstone (di 砥). The Niushou River (牛首水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Fu (滏水).

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē景jǐng山shān，有yǒu美měi玉yù。景jǐng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，東dōng南nán流liú注zhù于yú海hǎi澤zé。

Two hundred li further north lies Mount Jing (景山), where fine jade is found. The Jing River (景水) rises from it and flows southeast to empty into the marsh of Hai (海澤).

又yòu北běi百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē題tí首shǒu之zhī山shān，有yǒu玉yù焉yān，多duō石shí無wú水shuǐ。

One hundred li further north lies Mount Tishou (題首); jade is found there, many stones and no water.

又yòu北běi百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē繡xiù山shān，其qí上shàng有yǒu玉yù、青qīng碧bì，其qí木mù多duō栒xún，其qí草cǎo多duō芍sháo藥yào、芎xiōng窮qióng。洧wěi水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú河hé。其qí中zhōng有yǒu鱯hù、黽miǎn。

One hundred li further north lies Mount Xiu (繡山). Its summit holds jade and green jasper; its trees mostly xun (栒), its grasses mostly peony (shaoyao 芍藥) and lovage (xiongqiong 芎窮). The Wei River (洧水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the River; it abounds in hu fish (鱯) and meng frogs (黽).

又yòu北běi百bǎi二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē松sōng山shān。陽yáng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，東dōng北běi流liú注zhù于yú河hé。

One hundred and twenty li further north lies Mount Song (松山). The Yang River (陽水) rises from it and flows northeast to empty into the River.

又yòu北běi百bǎi二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē敦dūn與yǔ之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng無wú草cǎo木mù，有yǒu金jīn玉yù。溹suò水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陽yáng，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú泰tài陸lù之zhī水shuǐ。泜zhī水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陰yīn，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú彭péng水shuǐ。槐huái水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú泜zhī澤zé。

One hundred and twenty li further north lies Mount Dunyu (敦與). Its summit is without grass or trees, holding gold and jade. The Suo River (溹水) rises from its southern slope and flows east to empty into the Tailu (泰陸水). The Zhi River (泜水) rises from its northern slope and flows east to empty into the Peng (彭水). The Huai River (槐水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the marsh of Zhi (泜澤).

又yòu北běi百bǎi七qī十shí里lǐ，曰yuē柘zhè山shān，其qí陽yáng有yǒu金jīn玉yù，其qí陰yīn有yǒu鐵tiě。歷lì聚jù之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú洧wěi水shuǐ。

One hundred and seventy li further north lies Mount Zhe (柘山). Its southern slope holds gold and jade, its northern slope iron. The Liju River (歷聚水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the Wei (洧水).

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē維wéi龍lóng之zhī山shān，其qí上shàng有yǒu碧bì玉yù，其qí陽yáng有yǒu金jīn，其qí陰yīn有yǒu鐵tiě。肥féi水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú皋gāo澤zé，其qí中zhōng多duō礨lěi石shí。敞chǎng鐵tiě之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér北běi流liú注zhù于yú大dà澤zé。

Three hundred li further north lies Mount Weilong (維龍). Its summit holds blue jade (biyu 碧玉), its southern slope gold, its northern slope iron. The Fei River (肥水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the marsh of Gao (皋澤); it abounds in lei stones (礨石). The Changtie River (敞鐵水) rises from it and flows north to empty into the great marsh (Daze 大澤).

又yòu北běi百bǎi八bā十shí里lǐ，曰yuē白bái馬mǎ之zhī山shān，其qí陽yáng多duō石shí玉yù，其qí陰yīn多duō鐵tiě，多duō赤chì銅tóng。木mù馬mǎ之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng北běi流liú注zhù于yú虖hū沱tuó。

One hundred and eighty li further north lies Mount Baima (白馬). Its southern slope abounds in jade stone (shiyu 石玉), its northern slope in iron and red copper. The Muma River (木馬水) rises from it and flows northeast to empty into the Hutuo (虖沱).

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē空kōng桑sāng之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，冬dōng夏xià有yǒu雪xuě。空kōng桑sāng之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，東dōng流liú注zhù于yú虖hū沱tuó。

Two hundred li further north lies Mount Kongsang (空桑), devoid of grass and trees, snowbound winter and summer. The Kongsang River (空桑水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Hutuo.

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē泰tài戲xì之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō金jīn玉yù。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú羊yáng，一yī角jiǎo一yī目mù，目mù在zài耳ěr後hòu，其qí名míng曰yuē䍶dōng䍶dōng，其qí鳴míng自zì䚯tǎo。虖hū沱tuó之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú漊lóu水shuǐ。液yè女nǚ之zhī水shuǐ出chū于yú其qí陽yáng，南nán流liú注zhù于yú沁qìn水shuǐ。

Three hundred li further north lies Mount Taixi (泰戲), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in gold and jade. There is found a beast resembling the sheep, with a single horn and a single eye, the eye set behind the ear, called shushu (䍶䍶); its cry utters its own name. The Hutuo River (虖沱水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Lou (漊水). The Yinü River (液女水) rises from its southern slope and flows south to empty into the Qin (沁水).

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē石shí山shān，多duō藏cáng金jīn玉yù。濩huò濩huò之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú虖hū沱tuó。鮮xiān于yú之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú虖hū沱tuó。

Three hundred li further north lies Mount Shi (石山), holding much gold and jade. The Huohuo River (濩濩水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Hutuo. The Xianyu River (鮮于水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the Hutuo.

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē童tóng戎róng之zhī山shān。皋gāo涂tú之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú漊lóu液yè水shuǐ。

Two hundred li further north lies Mount Tongrong (童戎). The Gaotu River (皋涂水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the Louye (漊液水).

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē高gāo是shì之zhī山shān。滋zī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér南nán流liú注zhù于yú虖hū沱tuó，其qí木mù多duō椶zōng，其qí草cǎo多duō條tiáo。滱kòu水shuǐ出chū焉yān，東dōng流liú注zhù于yú河hé。

Three hundred li further north lies Mount Gaoshi (高是). The Zi River (滋水) rises from it and flows south to empty into the Hutuo; its trees mostly palms, its grasses mostly tiao (條). The Kou River (滱水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the River.

又yòu北běi三sān百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē陸lù山shān，多duō美měi玉yù。𨜰jí水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú河hé。

Three hundred li further north lies Mount Lu (陸山), abounding in fine jade. The Ji River (𨜰水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the River.

又yòu北běi二èr百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē沂yí山shān。般bān水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú河hé。

Two hundred li further north lies Mount Yi (沂山). The Ban River (般水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the River.

北běi百bǎi二èr十shí里lǐ，曰yuē燕yàn山shān，多duō嬰yīng石shí。燕yàn水shuǐ出chū焉yān，東dōng流liú注zhù于yú河hé。

One hundred and twenty li to the north lies Mount Yan (燕山), abounding in ying stones (嬰石). The Yan River (燕水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the River.

又yòu北běi山shān行xíng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，水shuǐ行xíng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，至zhì于yú饒ráo山shān。是shì無wú草cǎo木mù，多duō瑤yáo碧bì，其qí獸shòu多duō橐tuó駝tuó，其qí鳥niǎo多duō鶹liú。歷lì虢guó之zhī水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú河hé。其qí中zhōng有yǒu師shī魚yú，食shí之zhī殺shā人rén。

Five hundred li further north by mountain way, then five hundred li by water, one reaches Mount Rao (饒山), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in yao jade (瑤) and jasper; its beasts mostly camels, its birds mostly liu owls (鶹). The Liguo River (歷虢水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the River. There is found the shi fish (師魚), whose flesh kills those who eat them.

又yòu北běi四sì百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē乾qián山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù，其qí陽yáng有yǒu金jīn玉yù，其qí陰yīn有yǒu鐵tiě而ér無wú水shuǐ。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú牛niú而ér三sān足zú，其qí名míng曰yuē獂huán，其qí鳴míng自zì詨xiào。

Four hundred li further north lies Mount Qian (乾山), devoid of grass and trees; its southern slope holds gold and jade, its northern slope iron, but it is without water. There is found a beast resembling the ox but with three legs, called huan (獂); its cry utters its own name.

又yòu北běi五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē倫lún山shān。倫lún水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú河hé。有yǒu獸shòu焉yān，其qí狀zhuàng如rú麋mí，其qí川chuān在zài尾wěi上shàng，其qí名míng曰yuē羆pí。

Five hundred li further north lies Mount Lun (倫山). The Lun River (倫水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the River. There is found a beast resembling the elaphure, whose orifice is on its tail, called pi (羆).

又yòu北běi五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē碣jié石shí之zhī山shān。繩shéng水shuǐ出chū焉yān，而ér東dōng流liú注zhù于yú河hé，其qí中zhōng多duō蒲pú夷yí之zhī魚yú。其qí上shàng有yǒu玉yù，其qí下xià多duō青qīng碧bì。

Five hundred li further north lies Mount Jieshi (碣石). The Sheng River (繩水) rises from it and flows east to empty into the River; it abounds in puyi fish (蒲夷). Its summit holds jade, its foot abounds in green jasper.

又yòu北běi水shuǐ行xíng五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，至zhì于yú鴈yàn門mén之zhī山shān，無wú草cǎo木mù。

Five hundred li further north by water, one reaches Mount Yanmen (鴈門), devoid of grass and trees.

又yòu北běi水shuǐ行xíng四sì百bǎi里lǐ，至zhì于yú泰tài澤zé。其qí中zhōng有yǒu山shān焉yān，曰yuē帝dì都dōu之zhī山shān，廣guǎng員yuán百bǎi里lǐ，無wú草cǎo木mù，有yǒu玉yù金jīn。

Four hundred li further north by water, one reaches the marsh of Tai (泰澤). In its midst rises a mountain called Mount Ditu (帝都), a hundred li around, devoid of grass and trees, holding jade and gold.

又yòu北běi五wǔ百bǎi里lǐ，曰yuē錞duì于yú毋wú逢féng之zhī山shān，北běi望wàng雞jī號hào之zhī山shān，其qí風fēng如rú䬅lì；西xī望wàng幽yōu都dōu之zhī山shān，浴yù水shuǐ出chū焉yān。是shì有yǒu大dà蛇shé，赤chì首shǒu白bái身shēn，其qí音yīn如rú牛niú，見jiàn則zé其qí邑yì大dà旱hàn。

Five hundred li further north lies Mount Chunyu-Wufeng (錞于毋逢). To the north it looks toward Mount Jihao (雞號), whose wind blows in a tempest; to the west toward Mount Youdu (幽都), whence rises the Yu River (浴水). There is found a great serpent with a red head and a white body, whose cry is like that of the ox; when it appears, the region knows a great drought.

凡fán《北běi次cì三sān經jīng》之zhī首shǒu，自zì太tài行xíng之zhī山shān以yǐ至zhì于yú無wú逢féng之zhī山shān，凡fán四sì十shí六liù山shān，萬wàn二èr千qiān三sān百bǎi五wǔ十shí里lǐ。其qí神shén狀zhuàng皆jiē馬mǎ身shēn而ér人rén面miàn者zhě廿niàn神shén。其qí祠cí之zhī，皆jiē用yòng一yī藻zǎo茝chǎi瘞yì之zhī。其qí十shí四sì神shén，狀zhuàng皆jiē彘zhì身shēn而ér載zài玉yù。其qí祠cí之zhī，皆jiē玉yù，不bù瘞yì。其qí十shí神shén，狀zhuàng皆jiē彘zhì身shēn而ér八bā足zú，蛇shé尾wěi。其qí祠cí之zhī，皆jiē用yòng一yī璧bì瘞yì之zhī。大dà凡fán四sì十shí四sì神shén，皆jiē用yòng稌tú糈xǔ米mǐ祠cí之zhī，此cǐ皆jiē不bù火huǒ食shí。

In all, from Mount Taihang to Mount Wufeng, the Third Northern Classic counts forty-six mountains, over twelve thousand three hundred and fifty li. Twenty of their deities have a horse's body and a human face; for their cult, one buries for each a fragrant zaochai grass (藻茝). Fourteen deities have a pig's body and bear jade; for their cult, one uses jade, without burying it. Ten deities have a pig's body with eight legs and a serpent's tail; for their cult, one buries for each a jade disk (bi 璧). In all, the forty-four deities are honored with glutinous rice (tu 稌) as sacred grain; all eat without fire.

General Summary of the Northern Classic

右yòu北běi經jīng之zhī山shān志zhì，凡fán八bā十shí七qī山shān，二èr萬wàn三sān千qiān二èr百bǎi三sān十shí里lǐ。

Such is the register of the mountains of the Northern Classic: they number in all eighty-seven mountains, over twenty-three thousand two hundred and thirty li.

Notes

Structure of the chapter. The 北山经 comprises three successive «classics»: the first (twenty-five mounts), the Second (seventeen mounts) and the Third (forty-six mounts), that is eighty-seven mounts in all and 23,230 li. Each section closes with a colophon giving the number of mounts, the distance, the aspect of the deities and the sacrificial rite.

The myth of Jingwei (精衛). At Mount Fajiu, the text relates one of the most famous myths of China: Nüwa, youngest daughter of Emperor Yan, drowned in the eastern sea, transforms into the bird jingwei and strives to fill in the sea by ceaselessly casting wood and stones into it — a proverbial image of obstinate perseverance.

Southern slope / northern slope (其阳 / 其阴). 阳 (yáng) = the sunlit slope (south); 阴 (yīn) = the shaded slope (north).

Recurring formulas. «Whoever eats it…» (食之) and «whoever wears / consumes it…» introduce magical or medicinal virtues; «when it appears…» (见则) marks omen-creatures (drought 旱, great wind 大风, terror 恐); «its cry utters its own name» (其鸣自呼 / 自詨) designates an animal whose cry imitates its name. Several colophons specify that the inhabitants «eat raw, without fire» (不火食).

Uncertain identifications. Many names of plants, minerals and creatures have no assured equivalent; they are transcribed in pinyin with the characters, the English renderings following the traditional glosses (Guo Pu, Hao Yixing).

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