Qilin（麒麟）： In Chinese, it is pronounced as: qí lín，Written as:

The qilin, a mythical creature from ancient Chinese legends, symbolizes good fortune in ancient China. The male is referred to as “qi” and the female as “lin.” It is said to live up to two thousand years and is counted among the five auspicious beasts along with the dragon, phoenix, turtle, and pixiu. The qilin is known for its gentle nature, avoiding harm to insects and plants even though it possesses long horns that could serve as weapons. Interestingly, its horns end with fleshy knobs, indicating the possession of weapons yet a fundamental harmlessness, hence it is known as the “benevolent beast.”

The depiction of the qilin has evolved over time. The earliest records from the Zhou dynasty describe it with a deer’s body, a cow’s tail, a single horn, and long hair. From the Yuan dynasty through the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present, the image of the qilin gradually transformed. Its deer (or horse) head turned into a dragon head, the single horn became double horns, morphing into the widely recognized image today of a creature with a dragon head, double horns, the body of a deer or horse, and scales. The qilin can breathe fire and its voice booms like thunder. Although usually gentle, it can become fiercely angry.

Legend has it that the qilin appears only during times of peace and prosperity or when a sage is present, thus it is known as an auspicious creature. Therefore, emperors throughout Chinese history have hoped for a qilin to appear during their reign as a proof of their wise and virtuous rule. Although the dragon has always been an exclusive emblem of the imperial family, the qilin was equally revered. For instance, Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty built the “Qilin Pavilion,” and there were structures like the “Qilin Hall” during the Han dynasty and the “Lin De Hall” in the Tang dynasty. Such reverence by the royalty made the inclusion of the qilin among sacred beasts quite natural, signifying that its divine status was not merely due to ancient humans’ longing for a better world.

It is said that a qilin appeared at the birth of Confucius, leading people to believe that qilins could bring sons, ensuring the prosperity of a family. Hence, the legend of the qilin bringing sons arose, and outstanding children were called “qilin children” or “lin children.”

The qilin plays a significant role in East Asian culture, not only appearing in legends and myths but also widely depicted and used in art, literature, and religious ceremonies. Its image is featured in paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and ceramics, often symbolizing beauty and peace.