Amidst Mountains and Seas: Unveiling the Mysteries of Ancient China through the ‘Shan Hai Jing
The ‘Shan Hai Jing,’ also known as the ‘Classic of Mountains and Seas,’ stands as a captivating ancient text offering unique insights into the mythology, geography, and culture of ancient China. Comprising numerous chapters, this mysterious work paints a vivid picture of supernatural creatures, legendary locales, and fantastical occurrences. Through its vivid depictions, the ‘Shan Hai Jing’ opens a window into the ancient Chinese imagination and beliefs.
A significant facet of the ‘Shan Hai Jing’ is its meticulous documentation of ancient China’s geography. The text intricately details landscapes, rivers, and mountains of various regions, providing readers with a glimpse into the natural wonders that once graced this ancient land. Beyond serving as a valuable historical record, the ‘Shan Hai Jing’ contributes to our comprehension of the profound connection between ancient Chinese people and the natural world. This reverence for nature is reflected in the mythical creatures and spirits said to inhabit these regions, adding depth to the beliefs and legends of ancient China.
Renowned writer Lu Xun labeled it as an ancient «shamanic book» due to its documentation of ancient shamanistic rituals and practices. Mythologists consider it an ancient mythology, encapsulating the vibrant and imaginative world of China’s early ancestors. Generally, the book spans a wide array of topics, including ancient myths, geography, animals, plants, minerals, sorcery, religion, history, medicine, folklore, and various ethnic aspects.
The ‘Shan Hai Jing’ chronicles numerous mythical creatures, peculiar monsters, and fantastical legends, long perceived as a supernatural work. While some dismiss its accounts as absurd and unbelievable, others affirm its value in exploring strange phenomena, geographical features, and historical narratives. Contemporary scholars argue that the ‘Shan Hai Jing’ is not merely a collection of myths but also a record of ancient geography, encompassing genealogies of ancient tribes and the names of deities, rendering it a valuable historical piece.
The original ‘Shan Hai Jing’ featured illustrations, and its text may have been narrated based on these images. Unfortunately, the ancient illustrations are lost, and the earliest surviving illustrated versions date back to the Ming dynasty, such as those by Hu Wenhuan and Jiang Yinghao.
The present ‘Shan Hai Jing’ comprises eighteen sections, totaling over thirty thousand characters, annotated by Guo Pu during the Jin dynasty. It includes five sections on Mountain Records, four on Overseas Records, four on Inland Sea Records, four on Great Wilderness Records, and one on Inland Records. Scholars like Wu Renchen, Bi Yuan, Hao Yixing, and Wu Chengzhi have offered crucial commentaries on the text.
