Wenyao of the Guan River, anonymous1667 Shanhaijing illustration
Printed文鰩魚 caption identifies fishbody/birdwings, patterned body, whitehead/redmouth, travel from western to eastern sea and觀水. Monochrome does not prove stated colors; withdrawn Luoyu92 is not used. Physical Smithsonian edition1667; anonymous plate illustrator, GuoPu commentator and WuZhongheng editor; later pictorial witness, not date of ancient text composition.
Overview
The Wenyao fish appears in the Guan River issuing from Mount Taiqi in the third western sequence of the Shanhaijing. It resembles a carp, combining a fish’s body with bird’s wings. It bears dark or blue-green markings, a white head, and a red beak. The text says that it commonly travels from the western sea toward the eastern sea and flies at night.
The account also gives it an unusual call and a sweet-and-sour taste, while linking its appearance with plentiful harvests. A claimed effect of eating it belongs to the ancient literary entry rather than a verified treatment. Its nocturnal passage between seas is directly stated; a seasonal migration schedule, ability to transform into a person, or command over agriculture is not. No matched primary illustration has yet been established.
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.
- 01
Shanhaijing: Western Mountains
Third western sequence; Guan River 觀水 at Mount Taiqi 泰器山; 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
Shanhaijing, Western Mountains
西山經. Third western sequence; Guan River 觀水 at Mount Taiqi 泰器山
Directly read transcription, not a historical scan. Identifying passage: 魚身而鳥翼，蒼文而白首，赤喙，常從西海遊於東海，以夜飛。 Base text and commentary distinguished; exact plate remains unverified.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary-text transcriptionShanhaijing, Western Mountains: Third western sequence; Guan River 觀水 at Mount Taiqi 泰器山Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical illustrationWenyao of the Guan River, anonymous1667 Shanhaijing illustration
Printed文鰩魚 caption identifies fishbody/birdwings, patterned body, whitehead/redmouth, travel from western to eastern sea and觀水. Monochrome does not prove stated colors; withdrawn Luoyu92 is not used. Physical Smithsonian edition1667; anonymous plate illustrator, GuoPu commentator and WuZhongheng editor; later pictorial witness, not date of ancient text composition.
