Yu of Mount Guo, mouse-shaped bird with wings, Qing Shanhaijing painted manuscript
The caption describes a mouse-shaped creature with bird wings and a sheep-like cry, associated with protection against weapons. The full plate preserves this Qing interpretation of the bird-classified Yu.
Overview
Yu at Mount Guo is classified as a bird in the Shanhaijing’s first northern itinerary, although its body resembles a mouse. It bears bird wings, cries like a sheep, and is credited with protection against weapons or warfare. These three animal comparisons belong to one named creature. The text does not describe the wings as transparent or turn the sheep-like cry into human speech.
Mount Guo’s surrounding inventory includes trees, mineral resources, a river, and camels. Yu is the unusual named bird among them, rather than a commentary identifying an ordinary flying rodent. Its protective attribution is preserved as a claim of the source, not evidence of a tested defensive power. No account describes it carrying a warrior, intervening in a particular battle, or transforming into a mouse. The mouse-shaped body and bird wings remain its clearest identifying combination.
Origins & earliest records
China; Shanhaijing Northern Mountains
Records & interpretation
Named primary-text transcription directly read; exact historical illustration pending.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Shanhaijing, Northern Mountains
First northern itinerary; Mount Guo
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
Northern Mountains. First northern itinerary; Mount Guo
Directly read primary-text transcription. Identifying passage: 狀如鼠而鳥翼，其音如羊. Historical plate not yet matched.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary text transcriptionShanhaijing: Northern Mountains, received primary textResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical manuscript illustrationYu of Mount Guo, mouse-shaped bird with wings, Qing Shanhaijing painted manuscript
The caption describes a mouse-shaped creature with bird wings and a sheep-like cry, associated with protection against weapons. The full plate preserves this Qing interpretation of the bird-classified Yu.
