Hua snake, named1667 historical plate
Actual1000-pixel plate directly inspected and printed caption read. Human-faced winged serpentine hybrid; caption gives jackal body, bird wings, snake movement, flood and Yang River. The illustrator adds prominent hornlike projections; these are image-specific details, not supplied by the received passage. Smithsonian catalog dates1667/public domain.
Overview
Hua snakes live in the Yang River flowing north from Mount Yang into the Yi River. They have a human face, a jackal-like body and bird’s wings, while moving like snakes. Their voice resembles a loud call or shout. Their appearance foretells great flooding in the locality.
The primary description combines facial shape, torso, wings and movement rather than simply attaching wings to a serpent body. Mount Yang has stones but no vegetation. The river provides the creature’s named habitat, and flooding is the specific portent attributed to its appearance.
Origins & earliest records
China; Shanhaijing Central Mountains
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.
- 01
Shanhaijing, Central Mountains
Second central itinerary; Mount Yang and Yang 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
Shan hai jing: er shi san juan (Smithsonian digitized edition)
Physical volume2; aquatic-creature illustration sequence. IIIF canvas index108 (zero based), labelled 化蛇; no printed page number asserted
Actual 1000-pixel plate directly inspected and printed caption read. Human-faced winged serpentine hybrid; caption gives jackal body, bird wings, snake movement, flood and Yang River. The illustrator adds prominent hornlike projections; these are image-specific details, not supplied by the received passage. Smithsonian catalog dates 1667/public domain.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary text transcriptionShanhaijing Central Mountains received primary textResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical illustrationHua snake, named1667 historical plate
Actual1000-pixel plate directly inspected and printed caption read. Human-faced winged serpentine hybrid; caption gives jackal body, bird wings, snake movement, flood and Yang River. The illustrator adds prominent hornlike projections; these are image-specific details, not supplied by the received passage. Smithsonian catalog dates1667/public domain.
