Qin Yuan | The Classic of Mountains and Seas

38th Illustration of 山海经 (The Classic of Mountains and Seas) - 钦原 (Qīn Yuán)
🐦🐝The chapter《山海经·西山经》 "The Classic of Western Mountains" says: Four hundred li southwest, there is a hill called 昆仑 (Kūnlún), where lived a bird shaped like a bee, the size of a mandarin duck, and highly venomous, named 钦原 (Qīn Yuán). If it stings birds and beasts, they die. If it stings trees, the trees wither.
🐦🐝Legend says, Qin Yuan is one of the guardians of Kunlun Mountain. This mountain is also connected to many important figures, including 西王母 (Xīwángmǔ), who is not only the supreme leader of all female immortals and yin energy in the Taoist pantheon, but also an ancient deity who reigns over longevity, the elixir of immortality, and punishment. Her image and status have undergone an evolution from Goddess to immortal.