The Evolution of Geographical Perspectives as Reflected in the Transmission of the Classic of Mountains and Seas

Taoyu Pan

doi:10.54254/2753-7064/2025.HT27666

Communications in Humanities ResearchOpen access

The Evolution of Geographical Perspectives as Reflected in the Transmission of the Classic of Mountains and Seas

Research Article

Open Access

The Evolution of Geographical Perspectives as Reflected in the Transmission of the Classic of Mountains and Seas

Taoyu Pan ^1*

¹ Nanjing Foreign Language School

^*Corresponding author: anthonypanpty@outlook.com

Published on 14 October 2025

CHR Vol.78

ISSN (Print): 2753-7072

ISSN (Online): 2753-7064

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-317-8

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-318-5

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Abstract

As a composite text of ancient Chinese geography and mythology, the Classic of Mountains and Seas combines mythical elements with early geographical knowledge, reflecting the ancient people’s exploration and imagination of the world. This study adopts a literary and mythological research perspective, combining textual analysis, interdisciplinary research, and case study methods to explore the transmission and evolution of geographical names in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. It analyzes how mythological geography transitions into actual geography and reveals the shifts in geographical perspectives reflected in this process. The study found that the geographical descriptions in the Classic of Mountains and Seas were constructed by ancient people on the basis of limited knowledge, using mythical imagination to create a "pseudo-real" geographical system. Its evolutionary process reflects a cognitive transformation from mystification to rationalization. The evolution of typical place names such as Kunlun Mountain and Kongtong Mountain reveals the transformation of ancient geographical perspectives from the myth of the "center of the world" to the reality of "diverse yet unified" geography, reflecting the historical process of cultural exchange and expansion.

Keywords:

Classic of Mountains and Seas, evolution of geographical views, mythical geography, interdisciplinary research, Kunlun Mountain

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References

[1]. Liao Mingjun, Liu Zongdi. "Shanhaijing and Ancient Academic Traditions: An Interview with Dr. Liu Zongdi" [J]. Minzu Art, 2003(4): 11.

[2]. Guo Jia. "Mythological Studies Beyond Mythology: A Review of Liu Zongdi's Shanhaijing and Mythological Research" [J]. Journal of Yangtze University (Social Science Edition), 2016, 39(7): 10-15. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-1395.2016.07.003.

[3]. Liu Jie. "Viewing the Evolution of Chinese Geographical Concepts from the Inheritance of Shanhaijing Knowledge: A Case Study of 'Dan’er Guo'" [J]. Journal of Chuxiong Normal University, 2019, 34(4): 32-38.

[4]. Qu Lindong The origin of geographical concepts in Chinese historiography [J]. Learning and Exploration, 2008, 000 (004): 203-206. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1002-462X.2008.04.050

[5]. Gao Youpeng The Geographical Discoveries of the Classic of Mountains and Seas and Ancient Chinese Mythology [C]//Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development (Volume 3). 2012

[6]. Chen Lianshan. A Study on the Academic History of Shanhaijing [M]. Peking University Press, 2012.

References

[1]. Liao Mingjun, Liu Zongdi. "Shanhaijing and Ancient Academic Traditions: An Interview with Dr. Liu Zongdi" [J]. Minzu Art, 2003(4): 11.

[4]. Qu Lindong The origin of geographical concepts in Chinese historiography [J]. Learning and Exploration, 2008, 000 (004): 203-206. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1002-462X.2008.04.050

[5]. Gao Youpeng The Geographical Discoveries of the Classic of Mountains and Seas and Ancient Chinese Mythology [C]//Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development (Volume 3). 2012

[6]. Chen Lianshan. A Study on the Academic History of Shanhaijing [M]. Peking University Press, 2012.

Cite this article

Pan,T. (2025). The Evolution of Geographical Perspectives as Reflected in the Transmission of the Classic of Mountains and Seas. Communications in Humanities Research,78,9-14.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICADSS 2025 Symposium: Consciousness and Cognition in Language Acquisition and Literary Interpretation

ISBN: 978-1-80590-317-8(Print) / 978-1-80590-318-5(Online)

Editor: Yanhua Qin, Enrique Mallen

Conference website: https://2025.icadss.org/Huntsville.html

Conference date: 1 January 0001

Series: Communications in Humanities Research

Volume number: Vol.78

ISSN: 2753-7064(Print) / 2753-7072(Online)

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