Qiyu, three-headed bird with six tails, Qing Shanhaijing painted manuscript
The caption names the crowlike Qiyu, its three heads and six tails, laughter, and Mount Yiwang. The clustered heads and fanned tail feathers show the anonymous Qing artist’s interpretation.
Overview
Qiyu is a bird of Mount Yiwang at the end of the Shanhaijing’s third western itinerary. It resembles a crow but has three heads and six tails. It is said to be good at laughing. The text also gives it protective uses: taking or using it prevents an oppressive condition, explained in attached commentary in terms of disturbing dreams, and it can ward off harm.
Attached commentary explains the protection from an oppressive condition in terms of disturbing dreams. This explanation belongs to the commentary beside the base entry. Qiyu shares Mount Yiwang with Huan, the one-eyed three-tailed mammal, but each has its own name and anatomy.
Origins & earliest records
China; Shanhaijing Western Mountains
Records & interpretation
Specific named received-primary passage directly read; scan status recorded separately.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Shanhaijing, Western Mountains
Third western itinerary; Mount Yiwang
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
Shanhaijing
Western Mountains. Third western itinerary; Mount Yiwang
Specific named primary transcription directly read: 鵸鵌. No historical scan assigned unless the evidence row explicitly supplies one.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary text transcriptionShanhaijing Western Mountains received primary textResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical manuscript illustrationQiyu, three-headed bird with six tails, Qing Shanhaijing painted manuscript
The caption names the crowlike Qiyu, its three heads and six tails, laughter, and Mount Yiwang. The clustered heads and fanned tail feathers show the anonymous Qing artist’s interpretation.
