Classic of Mountains and Seas

The Shānhǎijīng (山海经/山海经Chin. "Classic of Mountains and Seas " ) is a work of Chinese literature.

History

It is the oldest surviving work of Chinese mythology. It is about the mythological stories of ancient, mythical geography, mythical flora and fauna, folk legends and related topics.

In ancient times, the work of Yu the Great, the legendary founder of the Xia Dynasty attributed. Its date of origin is estimated from the dawn of time the Warring States to the Han Dynasty and it is probably based on older oral traditions. Today's version comes from the Western Han Dynasty and the work is probably not completely preserved.

The Shanhaijing contains 18 chapters, which consist of a total of 31,000 characters.

The chapters are in the book of the mountains ( Shanjing ), the book of the outer seas ( Haiwaijing ), the Book of inner seas ( Haineijing ), the book of the great wilderness ( Dahuangjing ) and a second Haineijing, which summarizes the preceding books divided, .

Content

The Shanhaijing describes approximately 100 countries and their mythical geography and flora and fauna, 550 mythical mountains, water and the like. His most famous stories are about Huang Di Nü Gua, Xiwangmu, the monster Gong Gong, the archer Yi, the God Tian Di and Yu the Great. His first comment is from Liu Xiang.

• Chinese mythology
• Literary work
• Literature ( Chinese)