Is “Whether there exists an abyss where Zhuanxu bathed and a tomb where he was buried with nine concubines” true?

novel invention

The Records of the Grand Historian, in the 'Annals of the Five Emperors', gives a very concise account of his deeds: 'His grandson, Changyi's son Gaoyang, was established, and this was Emperor Zhuanxu.' There is no supernatural description. But the plot in the novel is entirely unique. The Classic of Mountains and Seas, in the 'Great Wilderness North' chapter, not only assigns him a private bath: 'West of the mound there is the Deep Abyss, where Zhuanxu bathed.' It also vividly records his burial: 'At Fuyu Mountain, Emperor Zhuanxu and his nine concubines were buried.' Such deeds are completely absent from the official histories.

Emperor Zhuanxu

The official histories record him as one of the Five Emperors; the novel adds a mysterious abyss bathing and nine concubines buried with him.

Sources cited above. Compiled with AI assistance and checked against those sources; for cultural reference.Data & method →

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