Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms

Volume 14: People

The Kingdom of Long-Eared People

original: "聶耳國" (Niè'ěr guó). Also known as the "Whispering Ear" or "Pinned-Ear" Kingdom, this legendary land is described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing) as being situated on an island in the northern seas.

The Kingdom of Long-Eared People is located to the east of the Bellyless Kingdom original: "無腹國" (Wúfù guó). Another mythical realm whose inhabitants were said to lack internal organs and lived on a diet of air or fine grains..

The people there have tiger-like patterns original: "虎文" (hǔwén). These are stripes or markings on the skin resembling the pelt of a tiger, a common motif for "barbarian" or mythical tribes in ancient Chinese texts. on their bodies. Their ears are so long they reach past their waists, so they must cradle their ears in their hands while they walk.

The illustration shows a figure supporting their heavy ears to prevent them from dragging on the ground, reflecting the literal interpretation of the kingdom's name in traditional Chinese cartography and bestiaries.