Ming snake, named1667 historical plate
Actual1000-pixel plate directly inspected and printed caption read. Snake with four wings; printed caption gives stone-chime voice, great drought and Mount Xian. The drawing visibly supplies four wing outlines. Smithsonian catalog dates1667/public domain.
Overview
Ming snakes inhabit the Xian River, which flows north from Mount Xian into the Yi River. They resemble snakes but have four wings. Their voice is compared to a stone chime, and their appearance foretells great drought in the locality.
Mount Xian is rich in gold and jade but lacks vegetation. Both the distinctive wing count and resonant voice belong to the named creature鳴蛇. Its drought omen links the animal’s appearance with the condition of the surrounding land.
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 Xian and Xian 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 index107 (zero based), labelled 鳴蛇; no printed page number asserted
Actual 1000-pixel plate directly inspected and printed caption read. Snake with four wings; printed caption gives stone-chime voice, great drought and Mount Xian. The drawing visibly supplies four wing outlines. 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 illustrationMing snake, named1667 historical plate
Actual1000-pixel plate directly inspected and printed caption read. Snake with four wings; printed caption gives stone-chime voice, great drought and Mount Xian. The drawing visibly supplies four wing outlines. Smithsonian catalog dates1667/public domain.
