Yingzhao, named1667 historical plate
Actual 1000-pixel labelled image directly inspected and text compared. Horse-shaped body, human face, tiger-like stripes and bird wings; printed caption locates its supervisory role at Huaijiang. Smithsonian physical volume catalog1667, public domain. Earlier primary witness, including any Japanese plate, retained under additionalNarrativeSources.
Overview
Yingzhao is the divine keeper of the ruler’s garden at Mount Huaijiang in the third western itinerary of the Shanhaijing. Its body is that of a horse, its face human, its markings tiger-like, and its wings those of a bird. The text says that it travels or makes a circuit through the four seas. These features establish a named hybrid guardian rather than a generic winged horse.
The passage situates the garden within a landscape of precious minerals and distant sacred mountains. It gives Yingzhao a voice comparison whose exact reference is uncertain in the received commentary. The circuit through the four seas is directly stated, while a battle against a named demon or a duty to carry human riders is not. Its administrative role differs from the dangerous predation assigned to some other Kunlun-associated creatures in the same western sequence.
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.
- 01
Shanhaijing, Western Mountains
Third western itinerary; Mount Huaijiang
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
Shan hai jing: er shi san juan (Smithsonian digitized edition)
Physical volume 1; Shan hai jing tu illustration sequence. IIIF canvas index 71 (zero based), labelled 英招; no printed page number asserted
Actual 1000-pixel labelled image directly inspected and text compared. Horse-shaped body, human face, tiger-like stripes and bird wings; printed caption locates its supervisory role at Huaijiang. Smithsonian physical volume catalog 1667, public domain. Earlier primary witness, including any Japanese plate, retained under additionalNarrativeSources.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary text transcriptionShanhaijing: Western Mountains, received text and commentaryResearch access: 2026-10-05
- Primary illustrated bookSmithsonian illustrated Shan hai jing v.1, canvas 71: 英招Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical illustrationYingzhao, named1667 historical plate
Actual 1000-pixel labelled image directly inspected and text compared. Horse-shaped body, human face, tiger-like stripes and bird wings; printed caption locates its supervisory role at Huaijiang. Smithsonian physical volume catalog1667, public domain. Earlier primary witness, including any Japanese plate, retained under additionalNarrativeSources.
