The Classic of the Northern Mountains (北山经 Běishānjīng) is the third book of the Classic of Mountains and Seas. It traverses, from south to north, three arid and cold mountain ranges, populated by minerals, omens, and wondrous birds, each range concluding with the ritual due to its deities. Among the notable myths recounted is that of the Jingwei bird.
First Classic of the North — 北山经
The Classic of the Northern Mountains begins with the Mount Danhu (单狐之山). It abounds in ji trees; its summit abounds in hua grass. The Feng River emerges from it and flows westward into the You River, rich in pi stones and veined stones (wenshi 文石).
Two hundred fifty li further north lies the Mount Qiuru (求如之山). Its summit abounds in copper, its base in jade; it lacks grass and trees. The Hua River emerges from it and flows westward into the Zhubi River, rich in gu fish, resembling an eel (shan 鱓), with a red back and a cry like wu (梧); eating it cures warts. It also abounds in "water horses" (shuima 水马), resembling horses, with speckled arms and ox tails, whose cry is like a call.
Three hundred li further north lies the Mount Dai (带山). Its summit abounds in jade, its base in green jasper (qingbi 青碧). A beast resembling a horse, with a single striped horn, named huanshu (䑏䟽), protects against fire. A bird resembling a crow, with five colors and red patterns, named qiyu (鵸鵌), is both male and female; eating it prevents abscesses. The Peng River emerges from it and flows westward into the Bihu Lake, rich in shu fish, resembling a chicken but with red feathers, three tails, six legs, and four heads, whose cry is like a magpie; eating it dispels sorrow.
Four hundred li further north lies the Mount Qiaoming (谯明之山). The Qiao River emerges from it and flows westward into the River. It abounds in heluo fish, with one head and ten bodies, whose cry is like a barking dog; eating it cures abscesses. A beast resembling a porcupine but with red bristles, whose cry is "liuliu," named menghuai (孟槐), protects against misfortune. This mountain lacks grass and trees and abounds in green realgar.
Three hundred fifty li further north lies the Mount Zhuoguang (涿光之山). The Xiao River emerges from it and flows northwest into the River. It abounds in xixi fish, resembling magpies but with ten wings, whose scales are all at the tips of the feathers, and whose cry is like a magpie; they protect against fire, and eating them prevents fever. Its summit abounds in pines and cypresses, its base in zong (椶) and jiang (橿) palms; its beasts are mainly gorals (lingyang 麢羊), and its birds are mainly fan (蕃).
Three hundred eighty li further north lies the Mount Guo (虢山). Its summit abounds in lacquer trees, its base in paulownias (tong 桐) and ju (椐), its sunny side in jade, and its shady side in iron. The Yi River emerges from it and flows westward into the River. Its beasts are mainly camels (tuotuo 橐駝), and its birds are mainly yu (寓), resembling rats but with bird wings, whose cry is like a sheep; they protect against weapons.
Four hundred li further north, one reaches the end of Mount Guo. Its summit abounds in jade and has no stones. The Yu River emerges from it and flows westward into the River; it abounds in spotted shells.
Two hundred li further north lies the Mount Danxun (丹熏之山). Its summit abounds in ailanthus (chu 樗) and cypress; its grasses are mainly leeks (jiu 韭) and garlic (xie 薤); it abounds in cinnabar (danhuo 丹雘). The Xun River emerges from it and flows westward into the Tang River. A beast resembling a rat, with a hare’s head and an muntjac’s body, whose cry is like the bark of an old dog, and which flies by means of its tail, is named ershu (耳鼠); eating it prevents bloating, and it protects against all poisons.
Two hundred eighty li further north lies the Mount Shizhe (石者之山). Its summit has no grass or trees, abounding in yao jade and jasper. The Ci River emerges from it and flows northwest into the River. A beast resembling a leopard, with a spotted forehead and a white body, named mengji (孟極), excels at hiding; its cry is its own name.
One hundred ten li further north lies the Mount Bianchun (边春之山). It abounds in scallions, mallows, garlic, peaches, and plums. The Gang River emerges from it and flows westward into the You Marsh; a beast resembling a monkey but with a speckled body, which loves to laugh and lies down when it sees people, is named youyan (幽鴳); its cry is its own name.
Two hundred li further north lies the Mount Manlian (蔓联之山), whose summit has no grass or trees. A beast resembling a monkey but with a mane, an ox tail, speckled arms, and horse hooves, which shouts when it sees people, is named zuzi (足訾); its cry is its own name. A bird that lives in flocks and flies in groups, with plumage like a pheasant, is named jiao (鵁); its cry is its own name; eating it cures wind ailments.
One hundred eighty li further north lies the Mount Danzhang (单张之山), whose summit has no grass or trees. A beast resembling a leopard but with a long tail, a human head, and ox ears, with a single eye, is named zhujian (諸犍); it shouts loudly, holds its tail in its mouth while walking, and coils it while resting. A bird resembling a pheasant, with a speckled head, white wings, and yellow feet, is named baiye (白鵺); eating it cures sore throats and convulsions. The Li River emerges from it and flows south into the Gang River.
Three hundred twenty li further north lies the Mount Guanti (灌题之山). Its summit abounds in ailanthus (chu 樗) and mulberry trees (zhe 柘), its base in quicksand and whetstone (di 砥). A beast resembling an ox but with a white tail, whose cry is "jiao," is named nafu (那父). A bird resembling a pheasant but with a human face, which leaps when it sees people, is named songsi (竦斯); its cry is its own name. The Jianghan River emerges from it and flows westward into the You Marsh; it abounds in lodestone (cishi 磁石).
Two hundred li further north lies the Mount Panhou (潘侯之山). Its summit abounds in pines and cypresses, its base in hazels (zhen 榛) and hu (楛); its sunny side in jade, and its shady side in iron. A beast resembling an ox, with hair on all four limbs, is named maoniu (旄牛, yak). The Bian River emerges from it and flows south into the Li Marsh.
Two hundred thirty li further north lies the Mount Xiaoxian (小咸), devoid of grass and trees, covered in snow summer and winter.
Two hundred eighty li further north lies the Mount Daxian (大咸), devoid of grass and trees; its base abounds in jade. This mountain is square and cannot be climbed. A serpent named changshe (长蛇), with hairs like those of a pig, whose noise is like a watchman’s rattle, dwells here.
Three hundred twenty li further north lies the Mount Dunhong (敦薨之山). Its summit abounds in zong (椶) and nanmu trees, its base in purple herb (zicao 茈草). The Dunhong River emerges from it and flows westward into the You Marsh. It originates in the northeast corner of the Kunlun Mountains: this is the true source of the River. It abounds in red salmon (chigui 赤鮭); its beasts are mainly wild buffalo and yaks, and its birds are mainly cuckoos (shijiu 鳲鳩).
Two hundred li further north lies the Mount Shaoxian (少咸), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in green jasper. A beast resembling an ox, with a red body, human face, and horse legs, named yayu (窫窳), whose cry is like an infant’s; it devours men. The Dun River emerges from it and flows east into the Yanmen River; it abounds in huanhuan fish (䰽䰽), whose flesh kills those who eat it.
Two hundred li further north lies the Mount Yufa (獄法之山). The Huai Marsh River emerges from it and flows northeast into the Tai Marsh. It abounds in ji fish (䲃魚), resembling carp but with chicken feet; eating them cures warts. A beast resembling a dog but with a human face, skilled at throwing, which laughs when it sees people, is named shanhui (山𤟤); it runs like the wind; when it appears, the realm experiences great winds.
One hundred li further north lies the Mount Beiyue (北岳), abounding in thorny citron trees (zhiji 枳棘) and hardwood. A beast resembling an ox, with four horns, human eyes, and pig ears, named zhuhuai (诸怀), whose cry is like a goose; it devours men. The Zhuhuai River emerges from it and flows west into the Xiao River; it abounds in yi fish (鮨魚), with fish bodies and dog heads, whose cry is like an infant’s; eating them cures madness.
One hundred eighty li further north lies the Mount Hunxi (浑夕之山), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in copper and jade. The Xiao River emerges from it and flows northwest into the sea. A two-bodied serpent named feiyi (肥遗) dwells here; when it appears, the country suffers a great drought.
Fifty li further north lies the Mount Beidan (北单), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in scallions and garlic.
One hundred li further north lies the Mount Picha (羆差), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in horses.
One hundred eighty li further north lies the Mount Beixian (北鲜), abounding in horses. The Xian River emerges from it and flows northwest into the Tuwu River.
One hundred seventy li further north lies the Mount Di (隄山), abounding in horses. A beast resembling a leopard but with a speckled head, named yao (狕), dwells here. The Di River emerges from it and flows east into the Tai Marsh; it abounds in dragon-turtles (longgui 龍龜).
In total, from Mount Danhu to Mount Di, the first range of the Classic of the North comprises twenty-five mountains, spanning five thousand four hundred ninety li. Their deities all have human faces and serpent bodies. For their worship, a rooster and a pig are buried, a propitious jade tablet (gui 珪) is used and buried without sacred grain. The people north of these mountains all eat their food raw, without fire.
Second Classic of the North — 北次二经
The first mountain of the Second Classic of the North lies east of the River, its head resting on the Fen; it is named Mount Guancen (管涔). Its summit has no trees but abounds in grass, its base in jade. The Fen River emerges from it and flows west into the River.
Two hundred fifty li west lies the Mount Shaoyang (少阳之山). Its summit abounds in jade, its base in red silver (chiyin 赤银). The Suan River emerges from it and flows east into the Fen; it abounds in fine ochre (zhe 赭).
Fifty li further north lies the Mount Xuanyong (县雍之山). Its summit abounds in jade, its base in copper; its beasts are mainly lümi deer (闾麋), and its birds are mainly white di (白翟) and white baiji (白䳑). The Jin River emerges from it and flows southeast into the Fen. It abounds in ji fish (鮆魚), resembling tiao (鯈) but with red scales, whose cry is like a rebuke; eating them prevents arrogance.
Two hundred li further north lies the Mount Huqi (狐岐之山), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in green jasper. The Sheng River emerges from it and flows northeast into the Fen; it abounds in dark green jade (cangyu 蒼玉).
Three hundred fifty li further north lies the Mount Baisha (白沙山), three hundred li in circumference, entirely sand, without grass, trees, birds, or beasts. The Wei River emerges from its summit and sinks at its base; it abounds in white jade.
Four hundred li further north lies the Mount Ershi (尔是之山), without grass or trees, and without water.
Three hundred eighty li further north lies the Mount Kuang (狂山), devoid of grass and trees. This mountain is snow-covered summer and winter. The Kuang River emerges from it and flows west into the Fu River; it abounds in fine jade.
Three hundred eighty li further north lies the Mount Zhuyu (诸馀之山). Its summit abounds in copper and jade, its base in pines and cypresses. The Zhuyu River emerges from it and flows east into the Mao River.
Three hundred fifty li further north lies the Mount Duntou (敦头之山). Its summit abounds in gold and jade; it is devoid of grass and trees. The Mao River emerges from it and flows east into the Yin Marsh; it abounds in huang horses (𩣡马), with ox tails and white bodies, with a single horn, whose cry is like a call.
Three hundred fifty li further north lies the Mount Gouwu (钩吾之山). Its summit abounds in jade, its base in copper. A beast with a sheep’s body and a human face, eyes under its armpits, tiger’s teeth, and human claws, whose cry is like an infant’s, is named paoxiao (狍鴞); it devours men.
Three hundred li further north lies the Mount Beixiao (北嚣之山), without stones; its sunny side abounds in jasper, its shady side in jade. A beast resembling a tiger, with a white body and a dog’s head, a horse’s tail, and a pig’s mane, is named dubo (獨𤞞). A bird resembling a crow, with a human face, named huimiao (𪄀𪃑), flies by night and hides by day; eating it cures sunstroke. The Cen River emerges from it and flows east into the Qiong Marsh.
Three hundred fifty li further north lies the Mount Liangqu (梁渠之山), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in gold and jade. The Xiu River emerges from it and flows east into the Yanmen. Its beasts are mainly juji (居暨), resembling hedgehogs but with red fur, whose cry is like a piglet. A bird resembling Kuafu (夸父), with four wings, one eye, and a dog’s tail, named xiao (嚣), whose cry is like a magpie; eating it cures abdominal pain and stops diarrhea.
Four hundred li further north lies the Mount Guguan (姑灌之山), devoid of grass and trees; this mountain is snow-covered summer and winter.
Three hundred eighty li further north lies the Mount Huguan (湖灌之山). Its sunny side abounds in jade, its shady side in jasper; it abounds in horses. The Huguan River emerges from it and flows east into the sea; it abounds in shan eels (䱇). A tree with willow-like leaves veined in red grows here.
Five hundred li further north by water, then three hundred li of quicksand, one reaches the Mount Huan (洹山). Its summit abounds in gold and jade. Three mulberry trees (sansang 三桑) grow here, all branchless and a hundred ren tall. The Hundred-Fruit Tree also grows here; at its base, strange snakes abound.
Three hundred li further north lies the Mount Duntu (敦题之山), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in gold and jade. It backs onto the Northern Sea.
In total, from Mount Guancen to Mount Duntu, the Second Classic of the North comprises seventeen mountains, spanning five thousand six hundred ninety li. Their deities all have serpent bodies and human faces. For their worship: a rooster and a pig are buried; a bi disc and a gui tablet are used, thrown into the water without sacred grain.
Third Classic of the North — 北次三经
The first mountain of the Third Classic of the North is named the Mount Taihang (太行之山). Its head is Mount Gui (归山): its summit conceals gold and jade, its base jasper. A beast resembling a goral but with four horns, a horse’s tail, and spurs, named jue (䮝), loves to turn in circles, and its cry is its own name. A bird resembling a magpie, with a white body, red tail, and six legs, named xie (䴅), is easily frightened, and its cry is its own name.
Two hundred li further northeast lies the Mount Longhou (龙侯之山), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in gold and jade. The Juejue River emerges from it and flows east into the River. It abounds in "human fish" (renyu 人鱼, salamanders), resembling the ti fish (䱱鱼), with four legs, whose cry is like an infant’s; eating them prevents dementia.
Two hundred li further northeast lies the Mount Macheng (马成之山). Its summit abounds in speckled stones, its shady side in gold and jade. A beast resembling a white dog with a black head, which flies when it sees people, is named tianma (天马, celestial horse); its cry is its own name. A bird resembling a crow, with a white head, green-blue body, and yellow feet, named quju (鶌鶋); its cry is its own name; eating it prevents hunger and cures tumors.
Seventy li further northeast lies the Mount Xian (咸山). Its summit has jade, its base abounds in copper; it abounds in pines and cypresses, and its grasses are mainly purple herb (zicao 茈草). The Tiaojian River emerges from it and flows southwest into the Chang Marsh. It abounds in qisuan (器酸), which ripen once every three years; eating them cures leprosy.
Two hundred li further northeast lies the Mount Tianchi (天池之山). Its summit has no grass or trees, abounding in speckled stones. A beast resembling a hare but with a rat’s head, which flies on its back, is named feishu (飞鼠); the Mian River emerges from it and sinks at its base; it abounds in yellow chalk (huang'e 黄堊).
Three hundred li further east lies the Mount Yang (阳山). Its summit abounds in jade, its base in gold and copper. A beast resembling an ox but with a red tail and a neck like a gouqu (勾瞿), named linghu (领胡), whose cry is its own name; eating it cures madness. A bird resembling a pheasant, with five colors and patterns, both male and female, named xiangshe (象蛇); its cry is its own name. The Liu River emerges from it and flows south into the River. The fufu fish (䱤父) dwells here, resembling a bream, with a fish’s head and pig’s body; eating it cures vomiting.
Three hundred fifty li further east lies the Mount Benwen (贲闻之山). Its summit abounds in dark green jade (cangyu 蒼玉), its base in yellow chalk and black alum (nieshi 涅石).
One hundred li further north lies the Mount Wangwu (王屋之山), abounding in stones. The Hui River emerges from it and flows northwest into the Tai Marsh.
Three hundred li further northeast lies the Mount Jiao (教山). Its summit abounds in jade and has no stones. The Jiao River emerges from it and flows west into the River; this river is dry in winter and flows in summer: it is truly a "dry river." Within it stand two mounds, three hundred paces in circumference, named the Fawan Mountains (发丸之山); their summit conceals gold and jade.
Three hundred li further south lies the Mount Jing (景山). To the south it overlooks the salt merchant’s marsh (Yanfan 盐贩), to the north the Shao Marsh (少泽). Its summit abounds in herbs and yams (shuxu 薯蓣), its herbs mainly Sichuan pepper (qinjiao 秦椒); its shady side in ochre, its sunny side in jade. A bird resembling a serpent, with four wings, six eyes, and three legs, named suanyu (酸与); its cry is its own name; when it appears, the region is struck by terror.
Three hundred twenty li further southeast lies the Mount Mengmen (孟门之山). Its summit abounds in dark green jade and gold, its base in yellow chalk and black alum.
Three hundred twenty li further southeast lies the Mount Ping (平山). The Ping River emerges from its summit and sinks at its base; it abounds in fine jade.
Three hundred li further east lies the Mount Jing (京山), where fine jade is found; it abounds in lacquer trees and bamboos; its sunny side has red copper, its shady side black stone (xuanpei 玄磐). The Gao River emerges from it and flows south into the River.
Two hundred li further east lies the Mount Chongwei (虫尾之山). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its base in bamboos and green jasper. The Dan River emerges from it and flows south into the River. The Bo River emerges from it and flows southeast into the Huang Marsh.
Three hundred li further east lies the Mount Pengbi (彭毗之山). Its summit has no grass or trees, abounding in gold and jade; its base abounds in water. The Zaolin River emerges from it and flows southeast into the River. The Fei River emerges from it and flows south into the Chuang River; it abounds in feiyi snakes (肥遗), whose flesh kills those who eat it.
One hundred eighty li further east lies the Mount Xiaohou (小侯之山). The Mingzhang River emerges from it and flows south into the Huang Marsh. A bird resembling a crow but with white patterns, named guhu (鴣𪄶); eating it prevents blurred vision.
Three hundred seventy li further east lies the Mount Taitou (泰头之山). The Gong River emerges from it and flows south into the Huchi. Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its base in arrow bamboos.
Two hundred li further northeast lies the Mount Xuanyuan (轩辕之山). Its summit abounds in copper, its base in bamboos. A bird resembling an owl but with a white head, named huangniao (黄鸟); its cry is its own name; eating it prevents jealousy.
Two hundred li further north lies the Mount Yeli (谒戾之山). Its summit abounds in pines and cypresses, and conceals gold and jade. The Qin River emerges from it and flows south into the River. To the east lies a forest named Danlin (丹林). The Danlin River emerges from it and flows south into the River. The Yinghou River emerges from it and flows north into the Fan River.
Three hundred li east lies the Mount Juru (沮洳之山), devoid of grass and trees, concealing gold and jade. The Ji River emerges from it and flows south into the River.
Three hundred li further north lies the Mount Shenqun (神囷之山). Its summit conceals speckled stones, its base white snakes and flying insects. The Huang River emerges from it and flows east into the Huan. The Fu River emerges from it and flows east into the Ou River.
Two hundred li further north lies the Mount Fajiu (发鸠之山). Its summit abounds in mulberry trees (zhe 柘). A bird resembling a crow, with a speckled head, white beak, and red feet, named jingwei (精卫); its cry is its own name. She was the youngest daughter of the Flame Emperor (Yandi), named Nüwa: while wandering on the Eastern Sea, she drowned and never returned, becoming the jingwei bird. Endlessly she carries in her beak wood and stones from the western mountains to fill up the Eastern Sea. The Zhang River emerges from it and flows east into the River.
One hundred twenty li further northeast lies the Mount Shao (少山). Its summit conceals gold and jade, its base copper. The Qingzhang River emerges from it and flows east into the Zhuozhang River.
Two hundred li further northeast lies the Mount Xi (锡山). Its summit abounds in jade, its base conceals whetstone (di 砥). The Niushou River emerges from it and flows east into the Fu River.
Two hundred li further north lies the Mount Jing (景山), where fine jade is found. The Jing River emerges from it and flows southeast into the Hai Marsh.
One hundred li further north lies the Mount Tishou (题首之山); jade is found here, with many stones and no water.
One hundred li further north lies the Mount Xiu (绣山). Its summit conceals jade and green jasper; its trees are mainly xun (栒), and its grasses mainly peony (shaoyao 芍药) and lovage (xiongqiong 芎穷). The Wei River emerges from it and flows east into the River; it abounds in hu fish (鱯) and frogs (mian 黾).
One hundred twenty li further north lies the Mount Song (松山). The Yang River emerges from it and flows northeast into the River.
One hundred twenty li further north lies the Mount Dunyu (敦与之山). Its summit is without grass or trees, concealing gold and jade. The Suo River emerges from its sunny side and flows east into the Tailu River. The Zhi River emerges from its shady side and flows east into the Peng River. The Huai River emerges from it and flows east into the Zhi Marsh.
One hundred seventy li further north lies the Mount Zhe (柘山). Its sunny side conceals gold and jade, its shady side iron. The Liju River emerges from it and flows north into the Wei River.
Three hundred li further north lies the Mount Weilong (维龙之山). Its summit conceals blue jade (biyu 碧玉), its sunny side gold, its shady side iron. The Fei River emerges from it and flows east into the Gao Marsh; it abounds in lei stones (礨石). The Changtie River emerges from it and flows north into the Great Marsh (Daze 大泽).
One hundred eighty li further north lies the Mount Baima (白马之山). Its sunny side abounds in stone jade (shiyu 石玉), its shady side iron and red copper. The Muma River emerges from it and flows northeast into the Hutuo.
Two hundred li further north lies the Mount Kongsang (空桑之山), devoid of grass and trees, snow-covered summer and winter. The Kongsang River emerges from it and flows east into the Hutuo.
Three hundred li further north lies the Mount Taixi (泰戏之山), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in gold and jade. A beast resembling a sheep, with one horn and one eye, the eye placed behind the ear, is named shushu (䍶䍶); its cry is its own name. The Hutuo River emerges from it and flows east into the Lou River. The Yinü River emerges from its sunny side and flows south into the Qin River.
Three hundred li further north lies the Mount Shi (石山), concealing much gold and jade. The Huohuo River emerges from it and flows east into the Hutuo. The Xianyu River emerges from it and flows south into the Hutuo.
Two hundred li further north lies the Mount Tongrong (童戎之山). The Gaotu River emerges from it and flows east into the Louye River.
Three hundred li further north lies the Mount Gaoshi (高是之山). The Zi River emerges from it and flows south into the Hutuo; its trees are mainly zong palms, and its grasses mainly tiao (条). The Kou River emerges from it and flows east into the River.
Three hundred li further north lies the Mount Lu (陆山), abounding in fine jade. The Ji River emerges from it and flows east into the River.
Two hundred li further north lies the Mount Yi (沂山). The Ban River emerges from it and flows east into the River.
One hundred twenty li north lies the Mount Yan (燕山), abounding in ying stones (嬰石). The Yan River emerges from it and flows east into the River.
Five hundred li further north by mountain route, then five hundred li by water, one reaches the Mount Rao (饶山), devoid of grass and trees, abounding in yao jade and jasper; its beasts are mainly camels, and its birds mainly liu owls (鶹). The Liguo River emerges from it and flows east into the River. The shi fish (师鱼) dwells here, whose flesh kills those who eat it.
Four hundred li further north lies the Mount Qian (乾山), devoid of grass and trees; its sunny side conceals gold and jade, its shady side iron, but it has no water. A beast resembling an ox but with three legs, named huan (獂); its cry is its own name.
Five hundred li further north lies the Mount Lun (伦山). The Lun River emerges from it and flows east into the River. A beast resembling an elk, with an orifice on its tail, is named pi (羆).
Five hundred li further north lies the Mount Jieshi (碣石之山). The Sheng River emerges from it and flows east into the River; it abounds in puyi fish (蒲夷). Its summit conceals jade, its base abounds in green jasper.
Five hundred li further north by water, one reaches the Mount Yanmen (雁门之山), devoid of grass and trees.
Four hundred li further north by water, one reaches the Mount Tai (泰泽). Within it stands a mountain named Mount Ditu (帝都), a hundred li in circumference, devoid of grass and trees, concealing jade and gold.
Five hundred li further north lies the Mount Chunyu-Wufeng (锤于毋逢之山). To the north it overlooks the Jihao Mountain (鸡号), whose winds blow in storms; to the west it overlooks the Youdu Mountain (幽都), from which the Yu River emerges. A great serpent with a red head and white body, whose cry is like an ox, dwells here; when it appears, the region suffers a great drought.
In total, from Mount Taihang to Mount Wufeng, the Third Classic of the North comprises forty-six mountains, spanning twelve thousand three hundred fifty li. Twenty of their deities have horse bodies and human faces; for their worship, a fragrant herb zaochai (藻茝) is buried for each. Fourteen deities have pig bodies and carry jade; for their worship, jade is used without burial. Ten deities have pig bodies with eight legs and serpent tails; for their worship, a bi disc is buried for each. In total, the forty-four deities are all offered glutinous rice (tu 稌) as sacred grain; all eat without fire.
General Recapitulation of the Classic of the North
The above is the record of the mountains in the Classic of the North: in total, eighty-seven mountains, spanning twenty-three thousand two hundred thirty li.
Notes
Structure of the chapter. The Classic of the Northern Mountains comprises three successive "classics": the first (twenty-five mountains), the second (seventeen mountains), and the third (forty-six mountains), totaling eighty-seven mountains and 23,230 li. Each section ends with a colophon giving the number of mountains, the distance, the aspect of the deities, and the sacrificial rites.
The myth of Jingwei (精卫). At Mount Fajiu, the text recounts one of China’s most famous myths: Nüwa, the youngest daughter of the Flame Emperor, drowned in the Eastern Sea and was transformed into the jingwei bird, which endlessly carries wood and stones from the western mountains to fill the Eastern Sea—a proverbial image of stubborn perseverance.
Sunny side / shady side (其阳 / 其阴). 阳 (yáng) = sunny side (south); 阴 (yīn) = shady side (north).
Recurring formulas. "Who eats it..." (食之) and "who wears/consumes..." introduce magical or medicinal virtues; "when it appears..." (见则) signals omen creatures (drought 旱, great winds 大风, terror 恐). "Its cry is its own name" (其鸣自呼 / 自詨) refers to animals whose cry imitates their name. Several colophons note that the inhabitants "eat raw, without fire" (不火食).
Uncertain identifications. Many names of plants, minerals, and creatures lack secure equivalents; they are transcribed in pinyin with the original characters, with French renderings following traditional glosses (Guo Pu, Hao Yixing).
Chinese text from the Chinese Text Project (ctext.org). Translation and notes: Chine-culture.com.
