Mountains and Seas Legends Tarot
Manman · The Lovers
Two distinct lives, a shared direction: meet the mythic birds behind The Lovers in our Chinese mythology tarot deck.
The birds in the ancient text
The Western Mountains section of the Shan Hai Jing describes Manman (蛮蛮), birds with one wing and one eye each that can fly when joined together. The account places them at Chongwu Mountain and also associates their appearance with flooding.
The card in our deck
In Mountains and Seas Legends Tarot, Laba Wisdom interprets Manman through The Lovers: partnership as a living practice of trust, reciprocity, and chosen commitment. Two distinct lives find a way to move with a shared purpose.
The paired birds belong to the ancient account. Their correspondence with The Lovers — and this emphasis on thoughtful partnership — is our deck’s artistic interpretation.
A first question to bring to the card
Try asking: “What does a shared direction require from me?” This can be a reflection on a relationship, collaboration, or a choice about what you value. Start with one image detail and use the guidebook to explore the card more fully.
Read the source
Ancient text: Shan Hai Jing · Western Mountains (西山经), the Chongwu Mountain passage. Tarot correspondence and reading prompt: Laba Wisdom.