A Complete Reader's Guide to the Classic of Mountains and Seas

The Classic of Mountains and Seas is a remarkable work from China's pre-Qin period. Its wide-ranging contents cover mythology, geography, plants and animals, shamanism, and many other subjects. Its authorship and date of compilation remain uncertain; it is generally believed to have taken shape over a long period through oral transmission and additions by many hands.

The book survives in eighteen chapters, divided into five chapters of the Classic of Mountains and thirteen chapters of the Classic of Seas. It records around 550 mountains, 300 waterways, more than 100 historical figures, and over 400 kinds of mythical beings and strange creatures.

Its myths are especially famous, including "Kua Fu Chases the Sun," "Jingwei Fills the Sea," and "Yu the Great Tames the Floods." These stories gave shape to many classic mythological figures. Although its geography mixes in fantastical elements, it preserves the ancient people's understanding of mountains and rivers. Its descriptions of strange plants and animals are also rich in imagination. Creatures such as the nine-tailed fox and the Bifang bird became important sources of inspiration for later literary and artistic works.

The book is not only a valuable source for studying ancient society; its magnificent imagination has also had a profound influence on Chinese culture.