Uncover Chinese dragons, phoenixes, and the mystical qilin. Examine imperial origins, symbolism, and enduring influence in Chinese mythology.
In the darkness of Chinese night, a figure approaches—not walking but hopping, its arms stretched forward, its body rigid with rigor mortis. The Jiangshi (僵尸, literally “stiff corpse”) is China’s unique contribution to the world of the undead: a reanimated body that drains the life essence (qi) from the living while moving in its distinctive, […]
When sages are born and great rulers arise, the Qilin (麒麟, pronounced “chee-lin”) appears. This gentle creature—sometimes called the “Chinese unicorn”—is so benevolent it refuses to step on grass for fear of harming living things. Its appearance signals times of prosperity, the birth of exceptional individuals, or the death of a great sage. Appearance The […]
Among the celestial creatures of Chinese mythology, none carries greater prestige than the Qilin (麒麟). Often called the “Chinese unicorn” in Western translations—though this comparison barely captures its magnificence—the Qilin stands alongside the dragon, phoenix, and tortoise as one of the Four Sacred Beasts (Sì Shòu) that have shaped Chinese culture for over two thousand […]
The Auspicious Beast The Qilin stands as one of Chinese mythologys most revered creatures – a chimeric beast of gentle temperament and profound symbolic meaning. Often called the Chinese unicorn in Western sources, the Qilin bears little resemblance to its European counterpart, instead combining features of dragons, deer, and oxen into a being of extraordinary […]
Peer into the mystical world of the qilin, China's benevolent creature that rivals dragons in cultural significance and supernatural power.
Winding through millennia of Chinese culture, dragons transformed from rain deities into supreme symbols of imperial authority—but how did it happen?
Discover the Banshee, the wailing spirit of Irish folklore who foretells death with her mournful cry. Learn about this otherworldly woman attached to ancient Irish families, her three forms, and why her keening still haunts Celtic tradition.
Discover the Selkie, the shapeshifting seal folk of Scottish, Irish, and Norse folklore. Learn about these haunting creatures who shed their sealskins to walk as beautiful humans, and the tragic tales of stolen skins and impossible love.