Long before mermaids enchanted Western sailors and storytellers, the waters of ancient China were said to be home to their own merfolk, the Jiaoren. These beings have swum through centuries of Chinese folklore, their shimmering legends a blend of beauty, mystery, and deep ecological symbolism.
Origins in Ancient Texts
The concept of merpeople in Chinese mythology dates back to at least the Shan Hai Jing (The Classic of Mountains and Seas), a geography text believed to have been compiled during the 4th century BC. Different to Western description of merpeople, the Chinese versions are not like H-C Andersen's Ariel. We there are several different forms of merpeople: Renyu; the catfish-like creature with four leggs, Chiru; the armless fish with a human face, Lingyu; the fish with a human arms and face and, Diren; similar to westerns merpeople. There are more creatures, each with their own unique traits and mystical roles within the seas they inhabit.
At the moment, it's about Jiaoren, the flod-dragon people.
The Jiaoren of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
The Sou Shen Ji, a compilation of supernatural tales from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), provides one of the most detailed accounts of the Jiaoren. These merpeople are said to live in the warm, shimmering waters of the South China Sea, described as having a human upper body, a shark/dragon like lower body, black skin, yellow hair and webbed hands. Their eyes, mouths, and noses are distinctly human . The tears of the Jiaoren are said to transform into pearls, a poetic symbol of sorrow turned into beauty. Their garments, woven from a mythical fabric known as dragon silk (jiaosha), are light, gleaming golden-white fabric, that never wet by water, no matter how much they swim.
Legends says that these merfolk occasionally take human form, emerging onto land to sell their dragon silk at markets.
During the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), the biologist Nie Huang documented sightings and tales of mermaids in his book Hai Cuo Tu, further validating their place in Chinese natural philosophy and folklore.
Keepers of Balance and Harmony
Beyond their mythical allure, the Jiaoren hold a symbolic role in Chinese culture. Known for their peaceful coexistence with all beings, they are revered as guardians of marine life. They thrive in clean, undisturbed waters, making them an implicit cautionary figure in stories. Their very existence in folklore speaks to an ancient reverence for the sea, and their stories offer a timeless metaphor for the fragility of ecological balance.
The Jiaoren Legacy
Though not as globally recognized as Western mermaids, the Jiaoren remain a unique and powerful figure in Chinese mythology. They are a blend of beauty and warning, mystery and wisdom. In a modern context, the Jiaoren could be seen as cultural ambassadors for ocean conservation.
In the end, whether one believes in merfolk or not, the message of the Jiaoren is clear: nature, and water i particular, must be respected if we all want to endure.
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