this site is named after the following, somewhat famous, quote:

[...] animals are divided into:
(a) those that belong to the Emperor,
(b) embalmed ones,
(c) those that are trained,
(d) suckling pigs,
(e) mermaids,
(f) fabulous ones,
(g) stray dogs,
(h) those that are included in this classification,
(i) those that tremble as if they were mad,
(j) innumerable ones,
(k) those drawn with a very fine camel brush,
(l) others,
(m) those that have just broken a flower vase,
(n) those that resemble flies from a distance.
[...]

which is attributed to "a certain chinese encyclopedia" in: The Analytical Language of John Wilkins, a short essay by J. L. Borges.

It is not entirely clear whether such an encyclopaedia really did exist, or, if not, it was dreamt up by Borges, the guy he quotes (Thomas Kuhn, a translator from the chinese), or someone else entirely. When i read the essay years ago, i thought the list to be made up by Borges (faking encyclopedia entries is something he likes to do).

The list was made somewhat more popular because it was quoted by Michel Foucault; it appears that Focault assumed the list to be authentic.

The term "chinese encyclopedia" has been used as a synonym for "a motley collection of things" or "a failed attempt at systematization" by many people.