List of legendary creatures from China

The following is a list of legendary creatures recorded from Chinese mythology.

A

The Azure Dragon is depicted on the flag of the Qing Dynasty.

B

Baihu
The Black Tortoise
  • Bo beast, a horse-like beast with one horn that eats tigers and leopards.[3]
  • Bovidae in Chinese mythology
  • Boyi, a sheep-like beast with nine tails and four ears and eyes on its back. A man who wears fur of boyi will have no fear.[4]

C

Guardian lions in Beijing
Chinese dragon from around the 17th century.

D

A Denglong

F

  • Feng (mythology), an edible monster that resembles a two-eyed lump of meat and magically grows back as fast as it is eaten.
  • Fenghuang, Chinese phoenix
Fenghuang
A Hulijing
  • Fuzhu, a Chinese deer with four horns, possessing a gentle countenance, a likeness to be clean, and usually appears during periods of flood.
  • Fuzanglong, the dragon of hidden treasures.

H

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

Qilin at Qingyang Palace
Qilins and Elephants at a Spirit Way

R

  • Ranyi fish, a snake-like fish with the head of a snake, six legs, and eyes like the ears of a horse. Eating one made people sleep without nightmares and protect one from evil.[3]
  • Ruishi, Chinese guardian lions.
Ming Dynasty era stone lion

S

  • Shen (clam-monster)
  • Shenlong, a dragon who is the master of storms and also a bringer of rain.
  • Shennong
  • Shōjō
  • Shuhu beast, a wild beast with a horse's body and bird's wings, a human's face and a snake's tail. It likes to hug and lift people up.[7]
  • Sky Fox (mythology), a golden Hulijing that has reached 1000 years of age.
  • Sun Wukong, a fire monkey with a golden rod also the Monkey King.

T

Three legged crow in a Mural from the Han Dynasty
Statue of a heavenly horse (Tianma)

W

X

Y

  • Yaoguai
  • Yinglong
  • Yeren
  • Yong, an owl-like bird with a human face and four eyes and ears. Its cry was the pronunciation of its own name, and when it appeared there was a great drought in the world.[4]

Z

  • Zhenniao, a legendary bird with poisonous feathers.
  • Zhulong (mythology), a giant red solar dragon and god.
  • Zhuque, a Vermilion Bird, one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations.
  • Zouyu a precious beast as big as a tiger, with five colors and a tail longer than its body known for travelling 1000 li per day[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ Strassberg, Richard E., editor, translator, and comments. 2002 [2018]. A Chinese Bestiary: Strange Creatures from the GUIDEWAYS THROUGH MOUNTAINS AND SEAS. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. p. 213
  2. ^ Strassberg, Richard E., editor, translator, and comments. 2002 [2018]. A Chinese Bestiary: Strange Creatures from the GUIDEWAYS THROUGH MOUNTAINS AND SEAS. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. p. 110–111
  3. ^ a b c Classics of Mountain and Sea, Vol. 2. Xishanjing
  4. ^ a b Classics of Mountain and Sea, Vol. 1. Nanshanjing
  5. ^ Strassberg, Richard E., editor, translator, and comments. 2002 [2018]. A Chinese Bestiary: Strange Creatures from the GUIDEWAYS THROUGH MOUNTAINS AND SEAS. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. p. 222
  6. ^ Classics of Mountain and Sea, Vol. 3. Beishanjing
  7. ^ Strassberg, Richard E., editor, translator, and comments. 2002 [2018]. A Chinese Bestiary: Strange Creatures from the GUIDEWAYS THROUGH MOUNTAINS AND SEAS. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. p. 118-1191
  8. ^ Strassberg, Richard E., editor, translator, and comments. 2002 [2018]. A Chinese Bestiary: Strange Creatures from the GUIDEWAYS THROUGH MOUNTAINS AND SEAS. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. p. 224
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