The Resting Place of Hòu Jì

A further 320 li west stands Mount Huáijiāng [槐江]. The Qiūshí [丘時] River rises here and flows north into the Yōu [泑]; in it are many Luǒmǔ [蠃母]. Above are metal and blue-green realgar, with rich stores of Lánggān [琅玕], gold, and jade. Its southern slope has much Cinnabar, its northern slope many coloured minerals, gold, and silver. This is the High God's level garden, governed by Yīng Zhāo [英招], who has a horse's body, a human face, tiger markings, and bird wings. He ranges through the four seas, and his voice resembles Liú [橊]. Southward lies Kūnlún [昆侖], its light blazing and its vapours billowing. Westward lies a great marsh, where Hòujì [后稷] remains concealed; it contains much jade, and on its northern side are many Yáo [榣] trees and Ruò [若] trees. Northward lies Zhūpí [諸毗], home of the locust-tree spirit Huái Guǐ Lí Lún [離侖], and a dwelling of hawks and falcons. Eastward stands Mt. Héng [恒], rising in four tiers, where the Qióng Guǐ dwell, each upon a height. Here is the Yín [滛] River, clear and bright. There is a heavenly god like an ox, with eight legs, two heads, and a horse's tail. Its voice resembles Bóhuáng [勃皇]; where it appears, there is war.

Read in Mountains & Seas →

From the English edition of Mountains & Seas. Open the reader for the Chinese editions and translator’s notes. Linked names follow the card catalogue; hover to see the original wording.