Leilei

Overview

Leilei is listed among the birds of Mount Cui in the first western itinerary of the Shanhaijing. It resembles a magpie, is red and black, and has two heads and four feet. The passage says that it can ward off fire. Unlike several birds described through unusual voices, this entry supplies colour and multiplied anatomy without recording a distinctive call.

The mountain also contains trees, bamboo, metals, and familiar mammals. Leilei’s fire association is a claim within that geographical inventory; no scene shows it carrying water, consuming flames, or rescuing a household. The doubled heads do not make it identical with every two-headed bird in another tradition. A historical image may visualize the description, but no exact matching illustrated witness has yet been verified for this profile.

Origins & earliest records

China; Shanhaijing, Western Mountains

Records & interpretation

Directly read Chinese primary-text transcription; exact section and geographical passage retained. No matched scan or illustration verified.

Selected bibliography

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

1. 01

   Shanhaijing: Western Mountains

   Anonymous composite received text

   First western sequence; Mount Cui 翠山; bracketed commentary distinguished from base text.

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 transcriptionShanhaijing, Western Mountains: First western sequence; Mount Cui 翠山Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

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