<P> In chapter 14 of the Shanhaijing, Guo Pu had commented that the nine - tailed fox was an auspicious omen that appeared during times of peace . However, in chapter 1, another aspect of the nine - tailed fox is described: </P> <P> "Three hundred li farther east is Green - Hills Mountain, where much jade can be found on its south slope and green cinnabar on its north . There is a beast here whose form resembles a fox with nine tails . It makes a sound like a baby and is a man - eater . Whoever eats it will be protected against insect - poison (gu)." </P> <P> In one ancient myth, Yu the Great encountered a white nine - tailed fox, which he interpreted as an auspicious sign that he would marry Nüjiao . In Han iconography, the nine - tailed fox is sometimes depicted at Mount Kunlun and along with Xi Wangmu in her role as the goddess of immortality . According to the first - century Baihutong (Debates in the White Tiger Hall), the fox's nine tails symbolize abundant progeny . </P> <P> Describing the transformation and other features of the fox, Guo Pu (276 - 324) made the following comment: </P>

Where does the nine tailed fox come from