Yingru of Mount Gaotu, anonymous1667 Shanhaijing illustration
Printed uncommon Yingru graph and Gaotu location; caption gives deer shape, white tail, horse feet, human hands and four horns. Anatomical outline inspected, monochrome does not independently prove tail color. Physical Smithsonian edition1667; ancient text composition is earlier. Anonymous illustrator; GuoPu commentator and WuZhongheng editor, neither asserted as artist.
Overview
Yingru appears on Mount Gaotu in the first western sequence of the Shanhaijing. Its body resembles a deer and its tail is white. The same description gives it horse’s feet, human hands, and four horns. The name’s uncommon written character is accompanied by a phonetic note in the hosted text, so the Chinese heading is retained alongside the romanized form.
The surrounding mountain inventory lists rivers, metals, cinnamon trees, and substances used against rats. Those properties belong to the neighbouring plants and stones, rather than automatically to Yingru. Its own entry supplies composite anatomy without a predatory action or omen. The creature should therefore not acquire poison, a hunting ritual, or a judicial role merely because it has horns and humanlike limbs. This witness is descriptive, not a narrated encounter.
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
First western sequence; Mount Gaotu 臯塗山; 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. First western sequence; Mount Gaotu 臯塗山
Directly read transcription, not a historical scan. Identifying passage: 其狀如鹿而白尾，馬腳人手而四角。 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: First western sequence; Mount Gaotu 臯塗山Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical illustrationYingru of Mount Gaotu, anonymous1667 Shanhaijing illustration
Printed uncommon Yingru graph and Gaotu location; caption gives deer shape, white tail, horse feet, human hands and four horns. Anatomical outline inspected, monochrome does not independently prove tail color. Physical Smithsonian edition1667; ancient text composition is earlier. Anonymous illustrator; GuoPu commentator and WuZhongheng editor, neither asserted as artist.
