Xiangliu (mythology)

Xiangliu (Japanese representation from the Edo period )

Xiangliu ( Chinese 相柳 , Pinyin Xiāngliǔ ) is a nine-headed snake demon in Chinese mythology . In classic depictions, one sees its heads arranged in three rows on a single neck (in contrast to the usual depictions of the Hydra with nine heads each on its own neck).

In Shanhaijing ( "classic of mountains and seas" ) he is described as a servant of the serpentine water deity Gonggong .