Personal Library - Classic of Mountains and Seas

Author: None
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: The Classic of Mountains and Seas has long been regarded as a "wondrous book," being the work that preserves the most ancient mythological materials extant and is hailed as a treasure trove of China's upper ancient mythology. Literary master Lu Xun was deeply captivated by this book in his youth. A crudely printed facsimile edition of The Classic of Mountains and Seas left him utterly enchanted, and even after achieving fame, he still cherished it. He devoted great effort to meticulously sketching the human and animal illustrations in the book and wrote a special article in its honor. In Tao Yuanming's poem Reading the Classic of Mountains and Seas, there is the line, "Extensive reading of the King of Zhou's records, Gazing upon the mountains and seas illustrations. Looking up and down across the universe, what greater joy could there be?" This glimpse reveals the extraordinary charm of The Classic of Mountains and Seas.
The Classic of Mountains and Seas also holds certain historical value. Since Sima Qian, scholars have been skeptical of the book due to the sheer strangeness of its described creatures. However, Fu Si-nien, a modern historian who studied in Europe for many years, believed that this ancient text contained invaluable materials. He deliberately emphasized that orthodox history may not always be trustworthy, while works like The Classic of Mountains and Seas and the mystical Heavenly Questions from the Chu Ci carry significant historical meaning precisely because they have not been embellished by historians. Over the course of long historical evolution, myths gradually intertwined with history and legends, further enriched by the additions passed down through oral tradition. Myths grew from tiny seeds into towering trees laden with fruit. The Classic of Mountains and Seas also became a cultural classic with temporal and spatial penetration, profoundly influencing ancient Chinese culture. The figures of humans, creatures, spirits, and beasts in its myths are vivid and lifelike, the plots filled with romantic and fantastical imagination, and the colors rich and varied. It is the spiritual ancestor of poetry, prose, quatrains, and other literary forms. The national character, the life of primitive ancestors, and the psychological archetypes of modern people reflected in it will undoubtedly shine even brighter in the years to come.