Strange Creatures
The weirdest beings in Shanhaijing — creatures too bizarre for any category
6 articles
10 Most Fascinating Creatures from the Classic of Mountains and Seas
Nine-headed birds, fire-breathing horses, and human-faced fish — the strangest and most wonderful beings in China's ancient bestiary.
Hundun: The Chaos Creature at the Beginning of Everything
A faceless, formless being that predates creation itself — Hundun is Chinese mythology's answer to primordial chaos.
Shanhai Jing vs. Greek Mythology: Ancient Bestiaries Compared
How do Chinese mythical creatures compare to their Greek counterparts? A fascinating cross-cultural comparison.
Taotie: The Glutton Beast That Devoured Ancient Chinese Art
The fearsome face that stares from thousands of ancient bronze vessels — what is the Taotie, and why did it dominate Chinese art for centuries?
The Shanhaijing's Strange Creatures: A Field Guide to the Impossible
A bird with one wing that can only fly in pairs. A snake with two heads that argues with itself. A fish that walks on land and causes drought.
Strange Creatures of the Shanhaijing: A Field Guide to the Impossible
A bird with one wing that can only fly in pairs. A fish with a human face that cries like a baby.