San Zu Gui

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Tradition: Chinese Mythology
Alternative Names: 三足龟, Three-Legged Turtle, Bèn
Category: Turtle

The Myth

The San Zu Gui is a legendary turtle from Chinese tradition with two legs at the front and only one at the rear. According to the Shan Hai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Seas), three-legged turtles inhabit the Kuang River, which flows southwest into the Yi River. Eating one was believed to prevent serious illness and reduce swelling.

The Erya, an ancient Chinese dictionary, gives the three-legged turtle the alternative name Bèn (贲). It also records a distinction between three-legged softshell turtles and three-legged turtles.

Sources

“三足龟 (Three-Legged Turtle).” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%89%E8%B6%B3%E9%BE%9F

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