Huandou of the Shenyijing

Overview

Huandou in the Shenyijing combines a dog’s body, human face, bird’s beak and wings. It uses its limbs and wings in movement, but the wings do not suffice for flight. It eats fish from the sea and is described as fierce and resistant to wind and rain.

The passage records alternative written names and connects the name with an exile notice in the Book of Documents. This particular hybrid body belongs to the Shenyijing witness. The work’s traditional attribution to Dongfang Shuo is contested in the prefatory bibliographical discussion and does not establish a Han-period composition date.

Origins & earliest records

China; Shenyijing Southern Wilderness

Records & interpretation

Specific named received-primary passage directly read; historical illustration matching remains separate.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Shenyijing, Southern Wilderness

   Anonymous received text; traditional attribution unsettled

   Southern Wilderness opening creature notice

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

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Primary text transcriptionShenyijing Southern Wilderness received primary textResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.