According to the records in the “Classic of Mountains and Seas,” the Xuan Gui—also known as the Xuan Gui—is a truly unique creature. Born in the mysterious waters, it bears a resemblance to an ordinary turtle in appearance, yet its coloration is anything but ordinary: a striking blend of red and black. What sets it apart even more is its bird‑like head and venomous‑snake‑like tail, lending it an air of both mystique and majesty. Legend has it that the Xuan Gui’s call sounds like wood being split open—deep, resonant, and rhythmically cadenced. People believed that wearing a Xuan Gui amulet could preserve one’s hearing and eyesight, and was even said to help heal stubborn calluses on the soles of the feet.

The Xuan Gui was regarded as a messenger of the River God; its appearance may have been a divine endorsement of Yu the Great’s monumental efforts to tame the floods. Throughout Yu’s arduous campaign to control the waters, this colossal turtle remained ever at his side, carrying upon its back the “Xirang” bestowed upon him by the Yellow Emperor himself. Whenever torrential rains unleashed catastrophic floods or riverbanks broke under the relentless pressure of surging waters, Yu need only take a small portion of Xirang from the turtle’s shell and cast it forth—quickly forming towering mounds or robust embankments that effectively stemmed the raging torrents. It is clear that the Xuan Gui’s contributions to Yu’s water‑control endeavors were nothing short of indispensable.

This 3D‑printed Xuan Gui faithfully recreates the mythical contours described in ancient texts, with every intricate detail and textured surface evoking the breathtaking imagination of primordial legends.

When traditional mythical beasts meet modern craftsmanship, this timeless spiritual essence becomes all the more vivid against a backdrop of pure white—a testament to how, in an instant, the Xuan Gui might once again rise up, bearing secrets and wonders as it journeys back to that fantastical realm where mountains meet seas.