Kui of Liubo Mountain, named1667 historical plate
Actual1000-pixel image directly inspected and full printed anatomical/location caption read. One-footed hornless bovine figure; printed caption gives blue-green body, wind and rain and Liubo Mountain. Matches Great Wilderness Eastern creature, not Fei. Smithsonian catalog dates1667 and classifies public domain.
Overview
Kui inhabits Liubo Mountain far out in the Eastern Sea in the Shanhaijing. Its shape resembles an ox, but it is blue-green, has no horns and stands on a single foot. Entering or leaving the water brings wind and rain. Its radiance is compared to the sun and moon, and its voice to thunder. The account gives both extraordinary bodily traits and weather accompanying its movements.
The Yellow Emperor obtains Kui and makes a drum from its hide. Using the bone of a thunder beast to strike it produces a sound heard five hundred li away, intimidating the world. This is a specific narrative use of the creature’s body rather than an omen attached only to its sighting. The Smithsonian illustrated witness depicts the hornless bovine form supported on one leg and repeats the Liubo identification.
Origins & earliest records
China; Shanhaijing Great Wilderness Eastern Regions
Records & interpretation
Specific named received-primary passage directly read; exact historical image status recorded separately.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Shanhaijing, Great Wilderness Eastern Regions
Liubo Mountain in the Eastern Sea
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; illustration sequence. IIIF canvas index53 (zero based), 夔; no printed page number asserted
Actual 1000-pixel image directly inspected and full printed anatomical/location caption read. One-footed hornless bovine figure; printed caption gives blue-green body, wind and rain and Liubo Mountain. Matches Great Wilderness Eastern creature, not Fei. Smithsonian catalog dates 1667 and classifies public domain.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary text transcriptionShanhaijing Great Wilderness Eastern Regions received primary textResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical illustrationKui of Liubo Mountain, named1667 historical plate
Actual1000-pixel image directly inspected and full printed anatomical/location caption read. One-footed hornless bovine figure; printed caption gives blue-green body, wind and rain and Liubo Mountain. Matches Great Wilderness Eastern creature, not Fei. Smithsonian catalog dates1667 and classifies public domain.
