Myths & Stories

## What Is the *Classic of Mountains and Seas*? The *Classic of Mountains and Seas* (山海经, *Shanhaijing*) is one of the oldest and strangest books in Chinese history. Written over 2,000 years ago — with parts dating back to the Warring States period and the Han Dynasty — it is not a single story with a beginning, middle, and end. Instead, it is a massive collection of ancient geography, mythology, folklore, and natural history, describing lands both real and imagined, and the incredible creatures that live there. Think of it as an ancient encyclopedia of the impossible. It lists mountains, rivers, and seas — some of which exist, and some of which definitely do not. It describes gods with human faces and snake bodies, nine-headed birds, foxes with nine tails, and fish that fly. It tells of lands where people have holes in their chests, where the sun and moon are born, and where the dead go after they die. For centuries, the *Shanhaijing* was treated as a curiosity — a bizarre collection of tall tales. But today, it is recognized as one of the most important sources of Chinese mythology, a window into how ancient Chinese people understood the world around them, and an endless source of inspiration for artists, writers, and game designers. ## What's Inside the Book? The *Shanhaijing* is divided into 18 scrolls, traditionally organized into four main sections: ### 1. The Classic of Mountains (五藏山经) This is the largest section, covering 26 mountain ranges across five regions: South, West, North, East, and Central. For each mountain, the book lists: - What the mountain looks like - What plants and animals live there - What minerals and precious stones can be found - Which gods are worshipped there - What sacrifices should be offered Some of the mountains are real, but many are mythical. And the creatures that live on them are truly extraordinary. ### 2. The Classic of Seas (海外经) This section describes lands beyond the seas — the "outer regions" of the ancient Chinese world. It introduces entire civilizations of strange people: the **Long-Armed People**, the **Long-Legged People**, the **One-Eyed People**, the **Three-Headed People**, and the **People Without Bellies**. Each is described in just a few lines, but the images they create are unforgettable. ### 3. The Classic of the Great Wilderness (大荒经) This section covers the "Great Wilderness" — the wild, untamed edges of the world. It is here that many of the most famous Chinese myths appear: - **Kuafu Chasing the Sun** (夸父逐日): A giant named Kuafu tries to catch the sun, dies of thirst, and his staff transforms into a peach forest. - **The Battle of the Gods** (共工怒触不周山): The water god Gonggong, in a fit of rage, knocks down Mount Buzhou, breaking the sky and causing a great flood. - **Nüwa Mending the Sky** (女娲补天): The goddess Nüwa repairs the broken sky with five-colored stones. ### 4. The Classic of Regions Within the Seas (海内经) This final section describes the "inner regions" and includes some of the most important genealogies and origin myths, including the story of **Yu the Great** controlling the flood. ## The Creatures You'll Never Forget The *Shanhaijing* is famous for its monsters, and they are unlike anything in Western mythology. Here are some of the most iconic: ### The Nine-Tailed Fox (九尾狐) A fox with nine tails, whose cry sounds like a baby. In early versions, it was a symbol of good fortune and a sign of peace. Over time, it became associated with seduction and mischief — and eventually inspired the "nine-tailed fox" characters in anime and games around the world. ### The Qilin (麒麟) A gentle, auspicious creature that appears only in times of peace and prosperity. It has the body of a deer, the tail of an ox, the hooves of a horse, and a single horn on its forehead. It is often called the "Chinese unicorn." ### The Dragon (龙) The Chinese dragon is not a fire-breathing monster. It is a benevolent, wise, and powerful being associated with water, weather, and good fortune. The *Shanhaijing* describes many types of dragons, including the **Yinglong** (应龙), a winged dragon who helped Yu the Great control the flood. ### The Phoenix (凤凰) The phoenix is the king of birds, a symbol of virtue, grace, and harmony. It appears only when a wise ruler is on the throne. Its feathers are said to be five colors, and its song is the most beautiful sound in the world. ### The Kun and the Peng (鲲鹏) In the *Classic of the Northern Sea*, there is a fish called the **Kun** that is so enormous, no one knows how many thousands of miles it spans. It can transform into a bird called the **Peng**, whose wings are like clouds hanging from the sky. This story later inspired the famous opening of Zhuangzi's *Daoist classic*. ### The Taotie (饕餮) A monstrous creature with a huge mouth and no body, or sometimes with a body but no head. It is associated with greed and gluttony. Its image appears on ancient bronze vessels as a warning against excess. ### The Nine-Headed Bird (九头鸟) A bird with nine heads, each with its own personality. It is said to bring misfortune, but also to have healing powers. It is one of the most terrifying creatures in the *Shanhaijing*. ## Why the *Shanhaijing* Matters Today The *Shanhaijing* is more than just a catalog of monsters. It is a record of how ancient Chinese people saw the world: full of mystery, danger, and wonder. It reflects their fears, their hopes, and their endless curiosity about the unknown. Today, the *Shanhaijing* is experiencing a renaissance. Its creatures appear in: - **Video games**: *Black Myth: Wukong*, *Genshin Impact*, *Monster Hunter*, and countless others - **Films and TV**: *The Great Wall*, *League of Gods*, *The Yin-Yang Master* - **Literature**: *The Three-Body Problem* author Liu Cixin has cited it as an influence - **Art and design**: Its monsters appear on everything from tattoos to fashion For anyone interested in Chinese culture, mythology, or fantasy, the *Shanhaijing* is an essential text. It is a book that has no equivalent in Western literature — a bestiary, a travelogue, and a mythological encyclopedia all in one. ## Ready to Color the Wonders? Every creature in the *Shanhaijing* — the nine-tailed fox, the qilin, the dragon, the phoenix, the Kun and the Peng — is waiting for you to bring them to life with color. Explore our coloring pages, choose your favorite beast, and start your journey into China's oldest book of wonders today.

What Is Journey to the West? Journey to the West (西游记) is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, written in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty. But don't let the "classical" label fool you — this is not a dusty, boring book. It is a wild, funny, action-packed adventure story filled with magic, monsters, and unforgettable characters. Think of it as China's answer to The Lord of the Rings meets Dragon Ball — except it was written over 400 years ago. The story follows a Buddhist monk named Tang Sanzang (also known as Tripitaka) who is sent on a sacred mission to travel from China to India to retrieve Buddhist scriptures. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. The journey is 108,000 miles long, and along the way, he faces 81 deadly trials — each one more dangerous and bizarre than the last. To protect him, the heavens assign him four powerful but deeply flawed disciples. Together, this unlikely team of misfits must learn to work together, overcome their own demons, and survive a journey that will test their faith, their strength, and their friendship. The Characters You'll Never Forget Sun Wukong — The Monkey King Sun Wukong is the heart and soul of the story. Born from a magical stone egg on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, he is a monkey with incredible powers: he can transform into 72 different forms, leap 54,000 kilometers in a single somersault, and wield a magic staff that can shrink to the size of a needle or grow to support the sky. But Wukong is also arrogant, impulsive, and absolutely hilarious. He once caused so much chaos in Heaven that the Jade Emperor had to beg the Buddha himself to stop him. The Buddha trapped him under a mountain for 500 years as punishment. When Tang Sanzang finally frees him, Wukong becomes the monk's most powerful protector — but also his biggest headache. He never stops arguing, never stops showing off, and never stops being utterly lovable. Zhu Bajie — The Pig Zhu Bajie, or "Pigsy," is a former heavenly marshal who was kicked out of Heaven for getting drunk and harassing the moon goddess. Reborn as a pig-man, he is lazy, gluttonous, and always thinking about food and women. He complains constantly, tries to quit the journey at least a dozen times, and is usually the first to suggest giving up. And yet, despite all his flaws, Bajie is a capable fighter and a source of endless comic relief. He represents the part of all of us that wants to take the easy way out — and his slow, painful transformation into a loyal companion is one of the story's most touching arcs. Sha Wujing — The Sand Monk Sha Wujing, or "Sandy," is the quiet one. A former heavenly general who was exiled for accidentally breaking a precious vase, he spent centuries as a man-eating demon in a river before joining the team. Stoic, dependable, and fiercely loyal, Sandy is the glue that holds the group together. He doesn't say much, but when things get tough, he's always there. Tang Sanzang — The Monk Tang Sanzang is the team's leader, but he's also the most vulnerable. He is kind, gentle, and deeply devoted to his faith — but he's also naive, easily frightened, and completely helpless in a fight. He constantly needs rescuing, and his tendency to trust the wrong people (especially beautiful women who turn out to be demons) drives his disciples crazy. Yet Sanzang's unwavering compassion is what ultimately holds the team together. He sees the good in everyone, even when no one else can. And in a story full of monsters and violence, his gentle spirit is the most powerful force of all. The White Dragon Horse Even the horse is a character. The White Dragon Horse is actually a dragon prince who was sentenced to death for destroying a pearl, then saved by Guanyin and transformed into a horse to serve as Sanzang's mount. He rarely speaks, but when he does, it's always important. The 81 Trials: Why They Matter The 81 trials the team faces are not just random obstacles. Each one represents a different challenge on the path to enlightenment: Some are physical: fighting demons, crossing dangerous rivers, surviving extreme weather. Some are mental: resisting temptation, overcoming fear, dealing with betrayal. Some are spiritual: learning humility, patience, and the true meaning of compassion. The most famous trials have become legendary in their own right. There's the Bone Demon (白骨精), a shape-shifting demon who tries to kidnap Sanzang by pretending to be a helpless village girl. There's the Bull Demon King (牛魔王), a powerful demon who becomes Wukong's greatest rival. There's the Spider Demon (蜘蛛精), the Scorpion Demon (蝎子精), and dozens more. Each trial teaches the team something new, and each one brings them closer together — even as they constantly bicker and fight. Why Journey to the West Still Matters Today Journey to the West is more than just a story. It is a cultural touchstone that has influenced countless works of art, literature, film, and video games across Asia and beyond. In Japan, it inspired Dragon Ball, one of the most popular anime and manga series in history. In China, it has been adapted into dozens of TV shows and movies, including the beloved 1986 TV series that is still watched by millions today. In the West, it has inspired everything from The Forbidden Kingdom (2008) to the blockbuster video game Black Myth: Wukong (2024), which introduced a whole new generation to the Monkey King. At its heart, Journey to the West is a story about flawed people trying to become better versions of themselves. It's about friendship, loyalty, and the belief that even the most unlikely team can accomplish something extraordinary. It's about laughing at your mistakes, learning from your failures, and never giving up — even when the journey seems impossible. And it's about monkeys. Lots and lots of monkeys. Ready to Color the Legend? Every character in Journey to the West — Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, Tang Sanzang, and the White Dragon Horse — is waiting for you to bring them to life with color. Explore our coloring pages, choose your favorite hero, and start your own journey today.

An epic of gods and heroes during the fall of the Shang dynasty and the rise of the Zhou.

Beloved folk tales and legends passed down through generations of Chinese culture.

Auspicious beasts and legendary creatures that embody the spirit of Chinese mythology.