The Classic of the Eastern Mountains (东山经 Dōngshānjīng) is the fourth book of the Classic of Mountains and Seas. It traverses, from north to south, four coastal mountain ranges rich in waterways, strange fish, and ominous beasts foretelling floods, droughts, and plagues. The Chinese text is presented with its pinyin transcription, followed by French translation and notes.
First Classic of the East — 东山经
《东山经》之首，曰樕𧑤之山，北临乾昧。食水出焉，而东北流注于海。其中多鱅鱅之鱼，其状如犁牛，其音如豕鸣。
The Classic of the Eastern Mountains. The first mountain is named Mount Suzhu (樕𧑤); to the north it borders Ganmei (乾昧). The Shi River (食水) flows from it, heading northeast into the sea. It abounds in yongyong fish (鱅鱅), resembling plow oxen, whose cries are like the grunting of pigs.
又南三百里，曰藟山，其上有玉，其下有金。湖水出焉，东流注于食水，其中多活师。
Three hundred li to the south lies Mount Lei (藟山). Its summit holds jade, its base gold. The Hu River (湖水) flows from it, heading east into the Shi River (食水); it abounds in tadpoles (huoshi 活师).
又南三百里，曰栒状之山，其上多金玉，其下多青碧石。有兽焉，其状如犬，六足，其名曰从从，其鸣自詨。有鸟焉，其状如鸡而鼠毛，其名曰䖪鼠，见则其邑大旱。𣲵水出焉，而北流注于湖水。其中多箴鱼，其状如鲦，其喙如箴，食之无疫疾。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Xunzhuang (栒状). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its base in green jasper. A beast there resembles a dog, with six legs, named Congcong (从从); its cry is its own name. A bird there resembles a chicken but has rat fur, named Zhishu (䖪鼠); when seen, the region suffers great drought. The Fu River (𣲵水) flows from it, heading north into the Hu River (湖水). It abounds in zhen fish (箴鱼), resembling a young fish (鲦) with needle-like beaks; eating them prevents plagues.
又南三百里，曰勃亝之山，无草木，无水。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Bojin (勃亝), barren of grass and trees, and waterless.
又南三百里，曰番条之山，无草木，多沙。减水出焉，北流注于海，其中多鱤鱼。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Fantiao (番条), barren of grass and trees, rich in sand. The Jian River (减水) flows from it, heading north into the sea; it abounds in gan fish (鱤鱼).
又南四百里，曰姑儿之山，其上多漆，其下多桑柘。姑儿之水出焉，北流注于海，其中多鱤鱼。
Four hundred li further south lies Mount Guer (姑儿). Its summit abounds in lacquer trees, its base in mulberries (sang 桑) and dye mulberries (zhe 柘). The Guer River (姑儿水) flows from it, heading north into the sea; it abounds in gan fish (鱤鱼).
又南四百里，曰高氏之山，其上多玉，其下多箴石。诸绳之水出焉，东流注于泽，其中多金玉。
Four hundred li further south lies Mount Gaoshi (高氏). Its summit abounds in jade, its base in zhen stone (箴石). The Zhusheng River (诸绳水) flows from it, heading east into a marsh; it abounds in gold and jade.
又南三百里，曰岳山，其上多桑，其下多樗。濼水出焉，东流注于泽，其中多金玉。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Yue (岳山). Its summit abounds in mulberries, its base in ailanthus (chu 樗). The Luo River (濼水) flows from it, heading east into a marsh; it abounds in gold and jade.
又南三百里，曰豺山，其上无草木，其下多水，其中多堪㐨之鱼。有兽焉，其状如夸父而豕毛，其音如呼，见则天下大水。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Chai (豺山). Its summit is bare of grass and trees, its base rich in water and kanni fish (堪㐨). A beast there resembles Kua Fu (夸父) but has pig fur; its sound is like a shout. When seen, the world suffers great floods.
又南三百里，曰独山，其上多金玉，其下多美石。末涂之水出焉，而东南流注于沔，其中多𧌁䗤，其状如黄蛇，鱼翼，出入有光，见则其邑大旱。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Du (独山). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its base in fine stone. The Motu River (末涂水) flows from it, heading southeast into the Mian River (沔); it abounds in gengtia creatures (𧌁䗤), resembling yellow snakes with fish fins that glow when entering or leaving the water. When seen, the region suffers great drought.
又南三百里，曰泰山，其上多玉，其下多金。有兽焉，其状如豚而有珠，名曰狪狪，其名自䚯。环水出焉，东流注于江，其中多水玉。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Tai (泰山). Its summit abounds in jade, its base in gold. A beast there resembles a pig but bears pearls, named tongtong (狪狪); its cry is its own name. The Huan River (环水) flows from it, heading east into the Yangtze River (江); it abounds in rock crystal.
又南三百里，曰竹山，锐于江，无草木，多瑶碧。激水出焉，而东南流注于娶檀之水，其中多茈羸。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Zhu (竹山), leaning against the Yangtze River, barren of grass and trees, rich in yao and jasper. The Ji River (激水) flows from it, heading southeast into the Qutan River (娶檀水); it abounds in zi snails (茈羸).
凡《东山经》之首，自樕𧑤之山以至于竹山，凡十二山，三千六百里。其神状皆人身龙首。祠：毛用一犬祈，䎶用鱼。
In all, from Mount Suzhu to Mount Zhu, the First Classic of the East comprises twelve mountains, spanning three thousand six hundred li. Their spirits all have human bodies and dragon heads. For worship: a dog is offered in prayer, and fish in sacrifice.
Second Classic of the East — 东次二经
《东次二经》之首，曰空桑之山，北临食水，东望沮吴，南望沙陵，西望湣泽。有兽焉，其状如牛而虎文，其音如钦，其名曰软软，其鸣自叫，见则天下大水。
The first mountain of the Second Classic of the East is named Mount Kongsang (空桑). To the north it borders the Shi River (食水), to the east it overlooks Juwu (沮吴), to the south Shaling (沙陵), and to the west the Min Marsh (湣泽). A beast there resembles an ox but with tiger stripes, whose sound is like a sigh, named ruanruan (软软); its cry is its own name. When seen, the world suffers great floods.
又南六百里，曰曹夕之山，其下多谷而无水，多鸟兽。
Six hundred li to the south lies Mount Caoxi (曹夕). Its base abounds in paper mulberries (gu 谷) but has no water; it abounds in birds and beasts.
又西南四百里，曰嶧皋之山，其上多金玉，其下多白垩。嶧皋之水出焉，东流注于激女之水，其中多蜃瑶。
Four hundred li southwest lies Mount Yigao (嶧皋). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its base in white chalk (bai'e 白垩). The Yigao River (嶧皋水) flows from it, heading east into the Jinü River (激女水); it abounds in clams and oysters (shenyao 蜃瑶).
又南水行五百里，流沙三百里，至于葛山之尾，无草木，多砥砺。
Five hundred li south by water, then three hundred li of quicksand, one reaches the tail of Mount Ge (葛山); it is barren of grass and trees but rich in whetstones (dili 砥砺).
又南三百八十里，曰葛山之首，无草木。澧水出焉，东流注于余泽，其中多珠蟞鱼，其状如肺而有目，六足有珠，其味酸甘，食之无癞。
Three hundred eighty li further south lies the head of Mount Ge (葛山), barren of grass and trees. The Li River (澧水) flows from it, heading east into the Yu Marsh (余泽); it abounds in zhubie fish (珠蟞鱼), resembling lungs but with eyes, having six legs and pearls, with a sweet-sour taste; eating them prevents leprosy.
又南三百八十里，曰余峨之山，其上多梓楠，其下多荆芑。杂余之水出焉，东流注于黄水。有兽焉，其状如兔而鸟喙，鸱目蛇尾，见人则眠，名曰犰狳，其鸣自䚯，见则螽蝗为败。
Three hundred eighty li further south lies Mount Yue (余峨). Its summit abounds in catalpa (zi 梓) and nanmu (楠), its base in brambles (jing 荆) and qi (芑) shrubs. The Zayu River (杂余水) flows from it, heading east into the Huang River (黄水). A beast there resembles a rabbit but with a bird's beak, owl's eyes, and a serpent's tail; it falls asleep at the sight of humans, named qiuyu (犰狳); its cry is its own name. When seen, locusts and grasshoppers bring ruin.
又南三百里，曰杜父之山，无草木，多水。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Dufu (杜父), barren of grass and trees, rich in water.
又南三百里，曰耿山，无草木，多水碧，多大蛇。有兽焉，其状如狐而鱼翼，其名曰朱獳，其鸣自叫，见则其国有恐。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Geng (耿山), barren of grass and trees, rich in jasper water and large snakes. A beast there resembles a fox but with fish fins, named zhuru (朱獳); its cry is its own name. When seen, the country experiences terror.
又南三百里，曰卢其之山，无草木，多沙石。沙水出焉，南流注于涔水，其中多𪁐鹕，其状如鸳鸯而人足，其鸣自䚯，见则其国多土功。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Luqi (卢其), barren of grass and trees, rich in sand and stone. The Sha River (沙水) flows from it, heading south into the Cen River (涔水); it abounds in pelicans (huanhu 𪁐鹕), resembling mandarin ducks but with human feet; their cry is their own name. When seen, the country undertakes many earthworks.
又南三百八十里，曰姑射之山，无草木，多水。
Three hundred eighty li further south lies Mount Guye (姑射), barren of grass and trees, rich in water.
又南水行三百里，流沙百里，曰北姑射之山，无草木，多石。
Three hundred li south by water, then one hundred li of quicksand, lies Mount Beiguye (北姑射), barren of grass and trees, rich in stone.
又南三百里，曰南姑射之山，无草木，多水。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Nanguye (南姑射), barren of grass and trees, rich in water.
又南三百里，曰碧山，无草木，多大蛇，多碧水玉。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Bi (碧山), barren of grass and trees, rich in large snakes and jasper-water jade (碧水玉).
又南五百里，曰维氏之山，无草木，多金玉。原水出焉，东流注于沙泽。
Five hundred li further south lies Mount Weishi (维氏), barren of grass and trees, rich in gold and jade. The Yuan River (原水) flows from it, heading east into the Sha Marsh (沙泽).
又南三百里，曰姑逢之山，无草木，多金玉。有兽焉，其状如狐而有翼，其音如鸿雁，其名曰獙獙，见则天下大旱。
Three hundred li further south lies Mount Gufeng (姑逢), barren of grass and trees, rich in gold and jade. A beast there resembles a fox but with wings, whose sound is like wild geese, named biebie (獙獙). When seen, the world suffers great drought.
又南五百里，曰凫丽之山，其上多金玉，其下多箴石。有兽焉，其状如狐，而九尾、九首、虎爪，名曰龙姪，其音如婴儿，是食人。
Five hundred li further south lies Mount Fuli (凫丽). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, its base in zhen stone. A beast there resembles a fox, with nine tails, nine heads, and tiger claws, named longzhi (龙姪); its sound is like an infant's. It devours humans.
又南五百里，曰䃌山，南临䃌水，东望湖泽。有兽焉，其状如马，而羊目、四角、牛尾，其音如嚎犬，其名曰幽幽，见则其国多狡客。有鸟焉，其状如凫而鼠尾，善登木，其名曰洁钩，见则其国多疫。
Five hundred li further south lies Mount Pin (䃌山); to the south it borders the Pin River (䃌水), to the east it overlooks the Hu Marsh (湖泽). A beast there resembles a horse, with sheep's eyes, four horns, and an ox's tail, whose sound is like a howling dog, named youyou (幽幽). When seen, the country teems with cunning guests. A bird there resembles a wild duck but with a rat's tail, skilled at climbing trees, named jiegou (洁钩); when seen, the country suffers many plagues.
凡《东次二经》之首，自空桑之山至于䃌山，凡十七山，六千六百四十里。其神状皆兽身人面载觡。其祠：毛用一鸡祈，嬰用一璧瘗。
In all, from Mount Kongsang to Mount Pin, the Second Classic of the East comprises seventeen mountains, spanning six thousand six hundred forty li. Their spirits all have beastly bodies, human faces, and carry antlers (ge 觡). For worship: a rooster is offered in prayer, and a jade disc (bi 璧) is buried in sacrifice.
Third Classic of the East — 东次三经
《东次三经》之首，曰尸胡之山，北望襄山，其上多金玉，其下多棘。有兽焉，其状如麋而鱼目，名曰妴胡，其鸣自䚯。
The first mountain of the Third Classic of the East is named Mount Shihu (尸胡). To the north it overlooks Mount Xiang (襄山); its summit abounds in gold and jade, its base in thorny brambles (ji 棘). A beast there resembles an elk but with fish eyes, named yuanhu (妴胡); its cry is its own name.
又南水行八百里，曰岐山，其木多桃李，其兽多虎。
Eight hundred li south by water lies Mount Qi (岐山). Its trees are mostly peaches and plums, its beasts mostly tigers.
又南水行五百里，曰诸钩之山，无草木，多沙石。是山也，广员百里，多寐鱼。
Five hundred li south by water lies Mount Zhugou (诸钩), barren of grass and trees, rich in sand and stone. This mountain is a hundred li in circumference and abounds in dormant fish (meiyu 寐鱼).
又南水行七百里，曰中父之山，无草木，多沙。
Seven hundred li south by water lies Mount Zhongfu (中父), barren of grass and trees, rich in sand.
又东水行千里，曰胡射之山，无草木，多沙石。
A thousand li east by water lies Mount Hushe (胡射), barren of grass and trees, rich in sand and stone.
又南水行七百里，曰孟子子之山，其木多梓桐，多桃李，其草多菌蒲，其兽多麋鹿。是山也，广员百里。其上有水出焉，名曰碧阳，其中多鳣鲔。
Seven hundred li south by water lies Mount Mengzi (孟子子). Its trees are mostly catalpa (zi 梓) and paulownia (tong 桐), with many peaches and plums; its grasses mostly mushrooms and rushes (junpu 菌蒲), its beasts mostly elaphures and deer. This mountain is a hundred li in circumference. At its summit flows a water named Biyang (碧阳); it abounds in zhan and wei fish (鳣鲔).
又南水行五百里，行沙五百里，有山焉，曰跂踵之山，广员二百里，无草木，有大蛇，其上多玉。有水焉，广员四十里皆涌，其名曰深泽，其中多鼋龟。有鱼焉，其状如鲤，而六足鸟尾，名曰蛤蛤之鱼，其鸣自叫。
Five hundred li south by water, then five hundred li of quicksand, stands Mount Qizhong (跂踵), two hundred li in circumference, barren of grass and trees, home to giant snakes; its summit abounds in jade. There is a water there, forty li in circumference, entirely churning, named the Deep Marsh (Shenze 深泽); it abounds in yuan turtles (鼋龟). A fish there resembles a carp but with six legs and a bird's tail, named gege fish (蛤蛤之鱼); its cry is its own name.
又南水行九百里，曰踇隅之山，其上有草木，多金玉，多赭。有兽焉，其状如牛而马尾，名曰精精，其鸣自叫。
Nine hundred li south by water lies Mount Muyu (踇隅). Its summit bears grass and trees, rich in gold, jade, and ochre. A beast there resembles an ox but with a horse's tail, named jingjing (精精); its cry is its own name.
又南水行五百里，流沙三百里
