Hai Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Fish (yú) Character: Yao Kangxi Strokes: 21 Page 1476, Entry 01 Pronounced yao. According to the Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen), the Wenyao is a type of fish. According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing), the Guan River flows west into the Moving Sands. The water contains many Wenyao fish, shaped like carp, yet possessing bird-like wings. They have blue markings, white heads, and red mouths. They fly at night, and their cry sounds like a Luan chicken. According to the Annals of Lu Buwei (Lushi Chunqiu), the fish in the Guan River are named Yao. They resemble carp but have wings. According to the Classic of Extraordinary Spirits (Shenyi Jing), in the southeastern sea, there is a Warm Lake containing the Yao fish, which grows to eight feet in length. According to the Materia Medica (Bencao), the Wenyao originates in the South Sea. Large specimens grow to about one foot in length and have wings as long as their tails. Also known as the flying fish. They fly in schools above the surface of the water; when people at sea see them, it portends a strong wind. Textual Research: In the Materia Medica (Bencao), it states the Wenyao originates in the South Sea, with large specimens growing to about one foot, having wings equal in length to the tail. As per the original text, the phrasing has been corrected to reflect that the wings are equal in length to the tail.