Shengyu

Overview

Shengyu is a red bird at Mount Yu in the third western itinerary of the Shanhaijing. Its form resembles a zhai, a long-tailed pheasant-like bird, and it eats fish. The text gives a voice comparison but the received commentary marks the comparison’s meaning as uncertain. When Shengyu appears, the state is expected to experience great flooding. Its fish diet is directly stated, whereas a giant body or multiple wings is not.

The same passage lists Jiao, a horned dog-like beast that signifies a plentiful harvest, and the Queen Mother of the West. Shengyu remains a separate bird within that shared locality. A flood omen is a prediction attached to an appearance, not a narrated account of the bird summoning rain. No named witness, capture story, or transformation into a human occurs in this entry. Its supported identity combines red plumage, a pheasant comparison, fishing, and an ominous appearance.

Origins & earliest records

China; Shanhaijing western mountain itineraries

Records & interpretation

Directly read named primary-text transcription; historical illustration not yet assigned.

Selected bibliography

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

1. 01

   Shanhaijing, Western Mountains

   Anonymous received text; Guo Pu commentary in this witness

   Third western itinerary; Mount Yu

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, received text and commentaryResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

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