Feishu of Mount Tianchi, named1667 historical plate
Actual 1000-pixel page directly inspected and printed caption compared with full textual anatomy. Mouse-headed quadruped drawn with broad membranes around its back; printed caption compares it with a rabbit and states it flies using its back, at Mount Tianchi. Smithsonian catalog dates physical volume 1667 and classifies public domain. Earlier text witness preserved.
Overview
Feishu inhabits Mount Tianchi in the Shanhaijing’s third northern itinerary. It resembles a rabbit but has a mouse’s head and flies using its back. The name means flying mouse, yet the body description combines two animals rather than simply identifying a modern flying squirrel. The base sentence does not describe separate feathers, a bird beak, or a number of wings.
Mount Tianchi is said to lack vegetation and to contain patterned stones and a river that sinks below the ground. The underground water is part of the locality, not a statement that Feishu burrows or lives underwater. The passage assigns the creature no omen, protective effect, diet, or relationship with humans. A later picture can interpret what flying by the back looks like, but that interpretation should remain distinguishable from the unusually concise primary description.
Origins & earliest records
China; Shanhaijing Northern Mountains
Records & interpretation
Directly read primary text supplemented by actual labelled historical page, with artistic interpretation distinguished from base anatomy.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Shanhaijing, Northern Mountains
Third northern itinerary; Mount Tianchi
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 volume 2; illustration sequence. IIIF canvas index 38 (zero based), labelled 飛鼠; no printed page number asserted
Actual 1000-pixel page directly inspected and printed caption compared with full textual anatomy. Mouse-headed quadruped drawn with broad membranes around its back; printed caption compares it with a rabbit and states it flies using its back, at Mount Tianchi. Smithsonian catalog dates physical volume 1667 and classifies public domain. Earlier text witness preserved.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary text transcriptionShanhaijing: Northern Mountains, received primary textResearch access: 2026-10-05
- Primary illustrated bookSmithsonian digitized Shan hai jing v.2, canvas 38: 飛鼠Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical illustrationFeishu of Mount Tianchi, named1667 historical plate
Actual 1000-pixel page directly inspected and printed caption compared with full textual anatomy. Mouse-headed quadruped drawn with broad membranes around its back; printed caption compares it with a rabbit and states it flies using its back, at Mount Tianchi. Smithsonian catalog dates physical volume 1667 and classifies public domain. Earlier text witness preserved.
