The Evolution of Geographical Perspectives as Reflected in the Transmission of the Classic of Mountains and Seas

As a composite text of ancient Chinese geography and mythology, the Classic of Mountains and Seas combines mythical elements with early geographical knowledge, reflecting the ancient peoples exploration and imagination of the world. This study adopts a literary and mythological research perspective, combining textual analysis, interdisciplinary research, and case study methods to explore the transmission and evolution of geographical names in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. It analyzes how mythological geography transitions into actual geography and reveals the shifts in geographical perspectives reflected in this process. The study found that the geographical descriptions in the Classic of Mountains and Seas were constructed by ancient people on the basis of limited knowledge, using mythical imagination to create a "pseudo-real" geographical system. Its evolutionary process reflects a cognitive transformation from mystification to rationalization. The evolution of typical place names such as Kunlun Mountain and Kongtong Mountain reveals the transformation of ancient geographical perspectives from the myth of the "center of the world" to the reality of "diverse yet unified" geography, reflecting the historical process of cultural exchange and expansion.