The Mysterious Xuan Turtle

Xuangui (旋龟): The Mythical Turtle of the Classic of Mountains and Seas

In the Southern Mountains chapter of the *Classic of Mountains and Seas* (《山海经》), the Xuangui (“Spiral Turtle”) is a mythical creature blending ancient imagination with real-world inspiration. Below is a detailed analysis of its lore, symbolism, and ecological roots:

1. Xuangui in the Classic of Mountains and Seas

According to the Niu Yang Mountain account:

“From this mountain flows the Strange River (怪水), eastward into the Xianyi River. Here dwell many black turtles (玄龟), shaped like tortoises but with bird-like heads and viper tails (虺尾). They are called Xuangui, their cries like splitting wood. Wearing their shells prevents deafness and cures calluses on the feet.”

• Appearance: Turtle-like body with a crimson-black hue, an eagle-beaked head, a serpentine tail (some texts add “two heads,” likely mythical exaggeration).

• Powers: Its shell was believed to ward off deafness and treat foot ailments, reflecting primitive beliefs in apotropaic and medicinal properties.

• Habitat: Associated with mountain streams (Strange River, Xianyi River), aligning with later myths placing it in southern waterways or even “equatorial seas.”

2. Mythology and Cultural Symbolism

1. Yu the Great’s Flood-Taming Companion

Legend says Xuangui carried *Xi Rang* (息壤, “ever-growing soil”) to aid Yu the Great in controlling floods, alongside the dragon Yinglong. This role made it a symbol of hydraulic power and cosmic order.

2. Good Fortune and Wealth

Xuangui was linked to treasures and auspicious omens in ancient texts. The *Han Shu* even tied its appearance to rainfall, blending myth with natural observation.

3.Art and Faith

Its hybrid form—bird head, snake tail—appeared in bronzeware and art, embodying a “bridge between heaven and earth.” It became a quintessential *Shanhaijing* creature: amphibious, liminal, and divine.

3. Real-World Inspiration: The Big-Headed Turtle (Platysternon megacephalum)

Modern scholars identify Xuangui’s likely prototype as the big-headed turtle (鹰嘴龟), a critically endangered species in southern China and Southeast Asia:

• Physical Match: Triangular “eagle-beak” head, long scaly tail (often longer than its shell), and a flat, brown carapace. Unlike most turtles, it cannot fully retract its head or tail.

• Habitat: Mountain streams in Anhui, Fujian, and Guangdong—exactly the “Strange River” described in the Shanhaijing.

• Cultural Continuity: Villagers in Jiangxi and Jilin still call it “Xuangui,” linking ancient lore to contemporary vernacular. Its rarity and aggressive nature likely fueled mythical interpretations.

4. Myth vs. Reality: A Comparative Table

Conclusion: From Myth to Ecology

Xuangui embodies the *Shanhaijing*’s fusion of observation and imagination: its hybrid form源于 the big-headed turtle, while its divine roles reflect ancient fears of floods and reverence for nature. Today, the turtle’s endangerment adds a new layer—beyond mythology, it symbolizes ecological urgency. From ancient texts to modern conservation, Xuangui reminds us: myths are rooted in the living world, and protecting it honors both heritage and survival.

（Translation by Doubao, March 17, 2025）

Note: Retained key Chinese terms (e.g., 虺尾, 息壤) with phonetic transliterations for cultural authenticity, while contextualizing them for English readers. Scientific names and conservation statuses ensure accuracy for contemporary audiences.