Yuan of the Northern Mountains, named1667 historical plate
Actual1000-pixel plate directly inspected and full printed caption compared with primary text. Bovine figure with three legs; caption explicitly gives ox form, three feet and Mount Qian. Smithsonian catalog dates1667/public domain.
Overview
Yuan inhabits Mount Qian in the Shanhaijing’s third northern itinerary. It resembles an ox but has three feet. Its cry repeats its own name. The surrounding mountain is bare of vegetation, with gold and jade on one side and iron on the other, and it has no water. This locates the animal amid the mineral resources that the itinerary repeatedly records.
The three feet modify the bovine form. The self-naming voice accompanies a brief mountain notice centered on the creature and the surrounding deposits of metal and jade.
Origins & earliest records
China; Shanhaijing Northern Mountains
Records & interpretation
Specific named received-primary passage directly read; exact historical image status recorded separately.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Shanhaijing, Northern Mountains
Third northern itinerary; Mount Qian
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 volume2; creature illustration sequence. IIIF canvas index40 (zero based), labelled 獂; no printed page number asserted
Actual 1000-pixel plate directly inspected and full printed caption compared with primary text. Bovine figure with three legs; caption explicitly gives ox form, three feet and Mount Qian. Smithsonian catalog dates 1667/public domain.
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 illustrationYuan of the Northern Mountains, named1667 historical plate
Actual1000-pixel plate directly inspected and full printed caption compared with primary text. Bovine figure with three legs; caption explicitly gives ox form, three feet and Mount Qian. Smithsonian catalog dates1667/public domain.
