Qiuyu of the Shanhaijing

Overview

Qiuyu is the creature of Mount Yue in the Shanhaijing’s second eastern itinerary. Its body resembles a rabbit, but it has a bird’s beak, raptor-like eyes, and a snake’s tail. When it sees a person it lies down or sleeps, and its call sounds its own name. Its appearance is connected with destructive locust infestation. These features identify a composite marvel rather than the modern animal commonly called an armadillo in Chinese.

The mountain entry surrounds Qiuyu with named trees and a river leading toward another watercourse. The creature’s recumbent response to people does not establish an attack or friendliness. The locust omen is a prediction associated with its appearance, rather than an account that it produces insects from its body. A source-specific illustration should preserve the beak, eyes, and snake tail alongside the rabbit comparison.

Origins & earliest records

China; Shanhaijing Eastern Mountains

Records & interpretation

Specific named primary-text transcription directly read; historical plate not assigned yet.

Selected bibliography

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

1. 01

   Shanhaijing, Eastern Mountains

   Anonymous received text

   Second eastern itinerary; Mount Yue

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

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1. Primary text transcriptionShanhaijing Eastern Mountains 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.