The Classic of the Central Mountains (中山经 Zhōngshānjīng), the fifth and longest of the Five Classics of Mountains, is presented in several pages. This page covers the second section: the four ranges from 中次七经 to 中次十经 (regions of Yi-Luo, the middle Yangzi, and the Min River sources). It features several famous deities—Tuowei, Jimeng, and the Xiong Mountain bear cave. The Chinese text is presented with its pinyin transcription, followed by a French translation and notes.
Seventh Classic of the Centre — 中次七经 (Kushan Range)
《中次七經》苦山之首, 曰休與之山. 其上有石焉, 名曰帝臺之棋, 五色而文, 其狀如鶉卵. 帝臺之石, 所以禱百神者也, 服之不蠱. 有草焉, 其狀如蓍, 赤葉而本叢生, 名曰風條, 可以為簳.
The Seventh Classic of the Centre, the Kushan Range. Its first mountain is named Mount Xiuyu (休與). At its summit lies a stone called the "Emperor Tai's Chess Pieces" (Dìtái zhī qí 帝臺之棋), multicoloured and patterned like a quail's egg. These are the stones of Emperor Tai, used to pray to the hundred gods; whoever wears them is protected from curses. There is a herb here resembling the yarrow (shi 蓍), with red leaves growing in clusters from the root, named fengtiao (風條); it can be used to make arrow shafts.
東三百里, 曰鼓鍾之山, 帝臺之所以觴百神也. 有草焉, 方莖而黃華, 員葉而三成, 其名曰焉酸, 可以為毒. 其上多礪, 其下多砥.
Three hundred li to the east lies Mount Guzhong (鼓鍾), where Emperor Tai hosted the hundred gods. There is a herb here with a square stem and yellow flowers, round leaves arranged in three tiers, named yansuan (焉酸); it can be used as an antidote. Its summit abounds in coarse whetstone (li 礪), and its base in fine whetstone (di 砥).
又東二百里, 曰姑媱之山, 帝女死焉, 其名曰女尸, 化為䔄草, 其葉胥成, 其華黃, 其實如菟丘, 服之媚於人.
Two hundred li further east lies Mount Guyao (姑媱), where an emperor's daughter named Nüshi (女尸) died. She transformed into the herb yao (䔄草), with layered leaves, yellow flowers, and fruits like dodder (tuqiu 菟丘); whoever consumes it becomes charming and attractive.
又東二十里, 曰苦山. 有獸焉, 名曰山膏, 其狀如逐, 赤若丹火, 善詈. 其上有木焉, 名曰黃棘, 黃華而員葉, 其實如蘭, 服之不字. 有草焉, 員葉而無莖, 赤華而不實, 名曰無條, 服之不癭.
Twenty li further east lies Mount Ku (苦山). There is a beast here named shangao (山膏), resembling a pig, red as cinnabar fire, and fond of cursing. At its summit grows a tree called huangji (黃棘), with yellow flowers, round leaves, and fruit like an orchid; whoever consumes it becomes sterile. There is a herb here with round leaves and no stem, red flowers but no fruit, named wutiao (無條); whoever consumes it does not develop goitre.
又東二十七里, 曰堵山, 神天愚居之, 是多怪風雨. 其上有木焉, 名曰天楄, 方莖而葵狀, 服者不㖶.
Twenty-seven li further east lies Mount Du (堵山), where the god Tianyu (天愚) resides; it is plagued by strange winds and rains. At its summit grows a tree called tianpian (天楄), with a square stem and mallow-like appearance; whoever consumes it does not choke.
又東五十二里, 曰放皋之山. 明水出焉, 南流注于伊水, 其中多蒼玉. 有木焉, 其葉如槐, 黃華而不實, 其名曰蒙木, 服之不惑. 有獸焉, 其狀如蜂, 枝尾而反舌, 善呼, 其名曰文文.
Fifty-two li further east lies Mount Fanggao (放皋). The Ming River (明水) flows from here, heading south to join the Yi River (伊水); it abounds in dark jade. There is a tree here with sophora-like leaves, yellow flowers but no fruit, named mengmu (蒙木); whoever consumes it is not deceived. There is a beast here resembling a bee, with a forked tail and an inverted tongue, fond of calling out, named wenwen (文文).
又東五十七里, 曰大𩇵之山, 多㻬琈之玉, 多麋玉. 有草焉, 其狀葉如榆, 方莖而蒼傷, 其名曰牛傷, 其根蒼文, 服者不厥, 可以禦兵. 其陽狂水出焉, 西南流注于伊水, 其中多三足龜, 食者無大疾, 可以已腫.
Fifty-seven li further east lies Mount Daku (大𩇵), rich in tufu jade and mi jade (麋玉). There is a herb here with elm-like leaves, a square stem speckled green, named niushang (牛傷), with a green-veined root; whoever consumes it does not faint and is protected from weapons. On its southern slope, the Kuang River (狂水) flows southwest to join the Yi; it abounds in three-legged turtles; whoever eats them suffers no serious illness and they cure swellings.
又東七十里, 曰半石之山, 其上有草焉, 生而秀, 其高丈餘, 赤葉赤華, 華而不實, 其名曰嘉榮, 服之者不霆. 來需之水出于其陽, 而西流注于伊水, 其中多鯩魚, 黑文, 其狀如鮒, 食者不睡. 合水出于其陰, 而北流注于洛, 多鰧魚, 狀如鱖, 居逵, 蒼文赤尾, 食者不癰, 可以為瘻.
Seventy li further east lies Mount Banshi (半石). At its summit grows an herb that sprouts and spikes early, over a zhang tall, with red leaves and flowers but no fruit, named jiarong (嘉榮); whoever consumes it fears no thunder. The Laixu River (來需水) flows from its southern slope west to join the Yi; it abounds in lun fish (鯩魚), black-patterned and bream-like; whoever eats them does not sleep. The He River (合水) flows from its northern slope north to join the Luo; it abounds in teng fish (鰧魚), resembling the gui (鱖) fish, living in depths, with green patterns and red tails; whoever eats them does not develop abscesses, and they cure fistulas.
又東五十里, 曰少室之山, 百草木成囷. 其上有木焉, 其名曰帝休, 葉狀如楊, 其枝五衢, 黃華黑實, 服者不怒. 其上多玉, 其下多鐵. 休水出焉, 而北流注于洛, 其中多䱱魚, 狀如𥂕蜼而長距, 足白而對, 食者無蠱疾, 可以禦兵.
Fifty li further east lies Mount Shaoshi (少室), where herbs and trees form dense thickets. At its summit grows a tree called dixiu (帝休), with poplar-like leaves, five-forked branches, yellow flowers, and black fruit; whoever consumes it does not get angry. Its summit abounds in jade, and its base in iron. The Xiu River (休水) flows from here north to join the Luo; it abounds in ti fish (䱱魚), resembling the weng monkey (𥂕蜼) but with long spurs, white paired feet; whoever eats them is not afflicted by curses and they protect from weapons.
又東三十里, 曰泰室之山. 其上有木焉, 葉狀如蔾而赤理, 其名曰栯木, 服者不妬. 有草焉, 其狀如𦬸, 白華黑實, 澤如蘡薁, 其名曰䔄草, 服之不昧, 上多美石.
Thirty li further east lies Mount Taishi (泰室). At its summit grows a tree with chénopodium-like leaves veined red, called youmu (栯木); whoever consumes it is not jealous. There is a herb here resembling tuo (𦬸), with white flowers and black fruit, lustrous like wild berries (yingyu 蘡薁), named yaocao (䔄草); whoever consumes it does not lose their wits. Its summit abounds in beautiful stones.
又北三十里, 曰講山, 其上多玉, 多柘, 多柏. 有木焉, 名曰帝屋, 葉狀如椒, 反傷赤實, 可以禦凶.
Thirty li north lies Mount Jiang (講山). Its summit abounds in jade, mulberry trees (zhe 柘), and cypresses. There is a tree here called diwu (帝屋), with pepper-like leaves, recurved spines, and red fruit; it protects from misfortune.
又北三十里, 曰嬰梁之山, 上多蒼玉, 錞于玄石.
Thirty li north lies Mount Yingliang (嬰梁); its summit abounds in dark jade, backed by black stones (xuanshi 玄石).
又東三十里, 曰浮戲之山. 有木焉, 葉狀如樗而赤實, 名曰亢木, 食之不蠱. 汜水出焉, 而北流注于河. 其東有谷, 因名曰蛇谷, 上多少辛.
Thirty li east lies Mount Fuxi (浮戲). There is a tree here with ailanthus-like leaves and red fruit, called gangmu (亢木); whoever eats it avoids curses. The Si River (汜水) flows from here north to join the Yellow River. To the east lies a valley named the Valley of Serpents (Shegu 蛇谷) for this reason; it abounds in shaoxin (少辛, asarum).
又東四十里, 曰少陘之山. 有草焉, 名曰𦱌草, 葉狀如葵, 而赤莖白華, 實如蘡薁, 食之不愚. 器難之水出焉, 而北流注于役水.
Forty li east lies Mount Shaoxing (少陘). There is a herb here called gangcao (𦱌草), with mallow-like leaves, red stems, and white flowers, fruit like wild berries; whoever consumes it does not become foolish. The Qinan River (器難水) flows from here north to join the Yi (役水).
又東南十里, 曰太山. 有草焉, 名曰梨, 其葉狀如荻而赤華, 可以已疽. 太水出于其陽, 而東南流注于沒水, 承水出于其陰, 而東北流注于沒水.
Ten li southeast lies Mount Tai (太山). There is a herb here called li (梨), with reed-like leaves and red flowers; it cures carbuncles. The Tai River (太水) flows from its southern slope southeast to join the Mei (沒水); the Cheng River (承水) flows from its northern slope northeast to join the Mei.
又東二十里, 曰末山, 上多赤金. 末水出焉, 北流注于沒水.
Twenty li east lies Mount Mo (末山); its summit abounds in red gold. The Mo River (末水) flows from here north to join the Mei.
又東二十五里, 曰役山, 上多白金, 多鐵. 役水出焉, 北注于河.
Twenty-five li east lies Mount Yi (役山); its summit abounds in silver and iron. The Yi River (役水) flows from here north to join the Yellow River.
又東三十五里, 曰敏山. 上有木焉, 其狀如荊, 白華而赤實, 名曰葪柏, 服者不寒. 其陽多㻬琈之玉.
Thirty-five li east lies Mount Min (敏山). At its summit grows a tree resembling the bramble (jing 荊), with white flowers and red fruit, called jibai (葪柏); whoever consumes it does not feel cold. Its southern slope abounds in tufu jade.
又東三十里, 曰大騩之山, 其陰多鐵, 美玉, 青堊. 有草焉, 其狀如蓍而毛, 青華而白實, 其名曰𦵧, 服之不夭, 可以為腹病.
Thirty li east lies Mount Dagui (大騩). Its northern slope abounds in iron, fine jade, and green chalk. There is a herb here resembling yarrow but hairy, with green flowers and white fruit, called lang (𦵧); whoever consumes it does not die young, and it treats abdominal ailments.
凡苦山之首, 自休與之山至于大騩之山, 凡十有九山, 千一百八十四里, 其十六神者, 皆豕身而人面. 其祠:毛牷用一羊羞, 嬰用一藻玉瘞. 苦山, 少室, 太室皆冢也, 其祠之:太牢之具, 嬰以吉玉. 其神狀皆人面而三首, 其餘屬皆豕身人面也.
In total, from Mount Xiuyu to Mount Dagui, the Kushan Range comprises nineteen mountains, spanning one thousand one hundred and eighty-four li. Sixteen of its deities have pig bodies and human faces; for their worship, a whole lamb is offered, and a tablet of veined jade is buried. Mounts Ku, Shaoshi, and Taishi are sacred mounds; for their worship, the full sacrificial rites (tailao) and propitious jade are used. Their deities have human faces and three heads; the rest all have pig bodies and human faces.
Eighth Classic of the Centre — 中次八经 (Jingshan Range)
《中次八經》荊山之首, 曰景山, 其上多金玉, 其木多杼檀. 雎水出焉, 東南流注于江, 其中多丹粟, 多文魚.
The Eighth Classic of the Centre, the Jingshan Range. Its first mountain is named Mount Jing (景山). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, and its trees, especially zhu oaks and sandalwood. The Ju River (雎水) flows from here southeast to join the Yangtze River (Jiang 江); it abounds in cinnabar grains and patterned fish (wenyu 文魚).
東北百里, 曰荊山, 其陰多鐵, 其陽多赤金, 其中多犛牛, 多豹虎, 其木多松柏, 其草多竹, 多橘櫾. 漳水出焉, 而東南流注于雎, 其中多黃金, 多鮫魚. 其獸多閭麋.
One hundred li northeast lies Mount Jing (荊山). Its northern slope abounds in iron, and its southern slope in red gold; it has many yaks (li 犛牛), leopards, and tigers; its trees are mostly pines and cypresses, and its grasses mostly bamboos, with many oranges and pomelos. The Zhang River (漳水) flows from here southeast to join the Ju; it abounds in gold and shark-like fish (jiaoyu 鮫魚). Its beasts are mostly lümi deer (閭麋).
又東北百五十里, 曰驕山, 其上多玉, 其下多青䨼, 其木多松柏, 多桃枝鉤端. 神𧕛圍處之, 其狀如人面, 羊角虎爪, 恒遊于雎漳之淵, 出入有光.
One hundred fifty li northeast lies Mount Jiao (驕山). Its summit abounds in jade, and its base in green ore; its trees are mostly pines and cypresses, and many taozhi and gouduan bamboos. The deity Tuowei (𧕛圍) resides here; he has a human face, ram’s horns, and tiger’s claws, and constantly haunts the depths of the Ju and Zhang Rivers, glowing as he enters and exits the water.
又東北百二十里, 曰女几之山, 其上多玉, 其下多黃金, 其獸多豹虎, 多閭麋, 麖, 麂, 其鳥多白鷮, 多翟, 多鴆.
One hundred twenty li northeast lies Mount Nüji (女几). Its summit abounds in jade, and its base in gold; its beasts are mostly leopards and tigers, many lü deer (閭), elaphures (麋), jing (麖), and muntjacs (麂); its birds are mostly white pheasants (白鷮), peacocks (翟), and zhen birds (鴆, venomous).
又東北二百里, 曰宜諸之山, 其上多金玉, 其下多青䨼. 洈水出焉, 而南流注于漳, 其中多白玉.
Two hundred li northeast lies Mount Yizhu (宜諸). Its summit abounds in gold and jade, and its base in green ore. The Wei River (洈水) flows from here south to join the Zhang; it abounds in white jade.
又東北三百五十里, 曰綸山, 其木多梓柟, 多桃枝, 多柤栗橘櫾, 其獸多閭麈, 麢, 㚟.
Three hundred fifty li northeast lies Mount Lun (綸山). Its trees are mostly catalpas and nanmu, many taozhi bamboos, zha pears, chestnuts, oranges, and pomelos; its beasts are mostly lü and zhu deer, gorals (ling 麢), and chuo (㚟).
又東北二百里, 曰陸䣀之山, 其上多㻬琈之玉, 其下多堊, 其木多杻橿.
Two hundred li northeast lies Mount Luhun (陸䣀). Its summit abounds in tufu jade, and its base in chalk; its trees are mostly niu and jiang trees.
又東百三十里, 曰光山, 其上多碧, 其下多木. 神計蒙處之, 其狀人身而龍首, 恒遊于漳淵, 出入必有飄風暴雨.
One hundred thirty li east lies Mount Guang (光山). Its summit abounds in jasper, and its base in trees. The deity Jimeng (計蒙) resides here; he has a human body and dragon head, and constantly haunts the depths of the Zhang River, bringing whirlwinds and torrential rains as he enters and exits the water.
又東百五十里, 曰岐山, 其陽多赤金, 其陰多白珉, 其上多金玉, 其下多青䨼, 其木多樗. 神涉𧕛處之, 其狀人身而方面三足.
One hundred fifty li east lies Mount Qi (岐山). Its southern slope abounds in red gold, and its northern slope in white jasper (min 珉); its summit in gold and jade, and its base in green ore; its trees are mostly ailanthus. The deity Shetuo (涉𧕛) resides here; he has a human body, square face, and three legs.
又東百三十里, 曰銅山, 其上多金銀鐵, 其木多穀柞柤栗橘櫾, 其獸多犳.
One hundred thirty li east lies Mount Tong (銅山). Its summit abounds in gold, silver, and iron; its trees are mostly paper mulberries, oaks, zha pears, chestnuts, oranges, and pomelos; its beasts are mostly speckled leopards (zhuo 犳).
又東北一百里
