Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms

Volume 14: People

The Kingdom of Small People

original: "小人國" (Xiǎorén guó). This mythical kingdom is a staple of early Chinese geographical legends, notably appearing in the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing).

In the East, there is the Kingdom of Small People, who are known as the Jiaoyao original: "僬僥" (Jiāoyáo). An ancient name for a legendary race of dwarves; the term eventually became a classical reference for people of very short stature.. They are only nine inches original: "九寸" (jiǔ cùn). This measurement suggests a height of approximately 20-25 centimeters (8-10 inches) depending on the era's standard unit. tall.

When sea cranes original: "海鶴" (hǎihè). In Chinese folklore, these large birds are the natural predators of the Jiaoyao, mirroring the "Cranes and Pygmies" myths found in ancient Greek literature like the Iliad. encounter them, they swallow them whole.

Therefore, when they venture out, they travel in groups. original: "故出則郡行" (gù chū zé jùn xíng). This annotation explains the illustration's depiction of the people clustered together as a defensive measure against predatory birds.