Xuangui revolving tortoise, named1895 woodcut
Exact named Xuanguī in the1895 illustrated edition; later historic interpretation of the ancient Southern Mountains passage.
Overview
Xuangui is described in the waters issuing from Mount Niuyang in the first southern sequence of the Shanhaijing. Its body resembles a turtle, while its head resembles a bird and its tail a serpent. Its voice is compared with splitting wood. These anatomical and acoustic details make it a hybrid literary creature rather than a simple label for a familiar turtle species.
The passage joins appearance to claims about wearing the creature, including protection against deafness. An additional healing phrase has interpretive notes in the hosted commentary and should not be reduced to an unqualified modern diagnosis. Xuangui shares its mountain passage with Lushu, but it occupies the river rather than the land. No transformation into a human, celestial role, or combat with dragons is described in this particular witness.
Origins & earliest records
China; Shanhaijing, Southern 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: Southern Mountains
First southern sequence; Guai River 怪水 at Mount Niuyang; hosted text displays commentary separately in brackets.
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, Southern Mountains
南山經. First southern sequence; Guai River 怪水 at Mount Niuyang
Directly read transcription, not a collated historical scan. Identifying passage: 其狀如龜而鳥首虺尾，其名曰旋龜，其音如判木。 Base text and bracketed commentary distinguished; no exact plate assigned.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary-text transcriptionShanhaijing, Southern Mountains: First southern sequence; Guai River 怪水 at Mount NiuyangResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical illustrationXuangui revolving tortoise, named1895 woodcut
Exact named Xuanguī in the1895 illustrated edition; later historic interpretation of the ancient Southern Mountains passage.
