by Han Fei
Long ago, the Yellow Emperor assembled spirits and demons on Mount Tai.
He rode an elephant-drawn carriage harnessed with six flood dragons.
Bi Fang walked beside the reins; Chi You led the way.
The Wind God swept the path ahead; the Rain Master sprinkled the road.
Tigers and wolves marched in front; spirits and demons followed behind.
Flying serpents crawled upon the ground; phoenixes hovered above.
Amid this great gathering of spirits and demons, he composed the music *Clear Angle*.
Note
A legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation, regarded as the founder of Chinese civilization, culture, medicine, and governance.
Mount Tai
The most sacred mountain in ancient China, a place for emperors to perform rituals and communicate with heaven and gods.
Chi You
A mythic warrior and tribal leader in ancient Chinese legends, often depicted as both a war god and a subordinate of the Yellow Emperor in this text.
Bi Fang
A legendary bird spirit in Chinese mythology, often associated with fire and divine ceremonies.
Wind God & Rain Master
Ancient Chinese nature gods controlling wind and rain, appearing in many mythological stories, notably Journey to the West.
Flood dragons, phoenixes, flying serpents
All sacred mythical creatures symbolizing power, auspice, and divinity in traditional Chinese culture.
Ancient Chinese mythology
This passage depicts a grand ritual scene showing the supreme authority of the Yellow Emperor over gods, spirits, and natural forces.
Sacrificial and musical culture
Music was closely linked to rituals and worship in ancient China; Clear Angle is described as a divine melody made for sacred gatherings.
Symbolism of animals
Animals like tigers, wolves, snakes, and phoenixes represented natural power and divine protection in ancient Chinese thought.
昔者，黄帝合鬼神于泰山之上，驾象车而六蛟龙，毕方并鎋，蚩尤居前，风伯进扫，雨师洒道，虎狼在前，鬼神在后，腾蛇伏地，凤皇覆上，大合鬼神，作为《清角》。
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