Dijiang, named1667 historical plate
Actual1000-pixel image directly inspected: rounded faceless body with six feet and four wings. Printed caption names 帝江, gives yellow sack/red cinnabar appearance and Mount Tian. Monochrome illustration does not visually establish colors. Smithsonian catalog1667/public domain.
Overview
Dijiang is the remarkable spirit of Mount Tian in the Shanhaijing. It resembles a yellow sack, is red like cinnabar fire, and has six feet and four wings. It has no face or eyes, yet understands singing and dancing. The mountain contains precious metals and minerals, and the Ying River flows southwest from it toward Tang Valley. Dijiang’s body is described within that mountain setting.
The absence of facial features contrasts with its musical and dancing awareness. Commentary beside the received passage connects this shapelessness with the Zhuangzi’s Hundun, but that comparison should remain an identified interpretation rather than a second narrative in the base entry. Dijiang is explicitly named as a spirit. Its anatomical description does not supply mouths, eyes or a humanoid head that an illustrator may be tempted to invent.
Origins & earliest records
China; Shanhaijing Western 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, Western Mountains
Third western itinerary; Mount Tian
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
Shan hai jing: er shi san juan (Smithsonian digitized edition)
Physical volume1; spirit illustration sequence. IIIF canvas index73 (zero based), labelled 帝江; no printed page number asserted
Actual 1000-pixel image directly inspected: rounded faceless body with six feet and four wings. Printed caption names 帝江, gives yellow sack/red cinnabar appearance and Mount Tian. Monochrome illustration does not visually establish colors. Smithsonian catalog 1667/public domain.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary text transcriptionShanhaijing Western Mountains received primary textResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical illustrationDijiang, named1667 historical plate
Actual1000-pixel image directly inspected: rounded faceless body with six feet and four wings. Printed caption names 帝江, gives yellow sack/red cinnabar appearance and Mount Tian. Monochrome illustration does not visually establish colors. Smithsonian catalog1667/public domain.
