Version 1: The “Classic of Mountains and Seas” is a text written over a long period of time, from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. This time period includes the warring states period through the Han dynasty. The table of contents is divided into different geographical areas of ancient China. The sections are divided into North, South, East, and West as well as the mountains, regions beyond the seas, regions within the seas, and the wilderness. This text can be compared to the “Tribute of Yu” because it looks at ancient China through a geographic lens. A significant difference between these two texts is that the “Classic of Mountains and Seas” describes mythical creatures, whereas the “Tribute of Yu” does not. Many varieties of obscure creatures from the text were discussed in class ranging from docile people born with feathers to violent beings. While the “Tribute of Yu” provides readers with a more practical sense of the layout and goods produced in regions of ancient China, the “Classic of Mountains and Seas” lets readers dive into the more imaginative side of this society.
Version 2: The “Classic of Mountains and Seas” is a text written in ancient China. Several strange creatures are described such as beings born with feathers and a one eyed, three tailed cat. It is unclear whether ancient Chinese people genuinely believed in these creatures, but it can be compared to the prevalence of vampires and zombies in the media today. Some people today may believe vampires exist, but many people simply like the idea of them and enjoy watching TV shows and movies about these creatures. Some of these creatures may also be based off of body modifications or human deformities. The creatures are also differentiated from each other in terms of their level of aggression, healing properties, what valuable goods they provide, and whether or not they have a divine connection. The table of contents separates these creatures into those found in the North, South, East, and West within the mountains, regions beyond the seas, regions within the seas, and the wilderness. While this text may appear a bit strange at first, reading a chapter or two is definitely worth it to take a closer look at ancient Chinese beliefs/mythology.
