Bo fish of the Shigao River, anonymous1667 Shanhaijing illustration
Printed薄魚 caption specifies sturgeonlike form, oneeye and drought, with abbreviated膏水. Complete received Eastern Mountains text explicitly gives石膏水 (Shigao) at MountNvzheng; confirmed with source worker. Physical Smithsonian edition1667; anonymous plate illustrator, GuoPu commentator and WuZhongheng editor; later image witness, not ancient composition date.
Overview
The Bo fish inhabits the Shigao River, which rises from the barren Mount Nvzheng and flows west into the Ge River in the Shanhaijing. It resembles a sturgeon-like fish but has a single eye. Its sound is compared to retching. Its appearance foretells great drought across the realm. This combines a striking facial difference with an unpleasant voice and a broad environmental omen.
Its retching sound is an unusual acoustic detail beside the single eye. The drought is a stated portent of its appearance, whereas Fei’s neighboring entry gives direct effects on water and vegetation.
Origins & earliest records
China; Shanhaijing Eastern Mountains
Records & interpretation
Specific named received-primary passage directly read; scan status recorded separately.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Shanhaijing, Eastern Mountains
Fourth eastern itinerary; Mount Nvzheng and Shigao River
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
Primary records and illustrations
Shanhaijing
Eastern Mountains. Fourth eastern itinerary; Mount Nvzheng and Shigao River
Specific named primary transcription directly read: 薄魚. No historical scan assigned unless the evidence row explicitly supplies one.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary text transcriptionShanhaijing Eastern Mountains received primary textResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical illustrationBo fish of the Shigao River, anonymous1667 Shanhaijing illustration
Printed薄魚 caption specifies sturgeonlike form, oneeye and drought, with abbreviated膏水. Complete received Eastern Mountains text explicitly gives石膏水 (Shigao) at MountNvzheng; confirmed with source worker. Physical Smithsonian edition1667; anonymous plate illustrator, GuoPu commentator and WuZhongheng editor; later image witness, not ancient composition date.
