Today is all about the Chinese Qilin, a creature often compared to a unicorn. This one comes with lots more color and fire, though!
The Qilin, pictured above, is generally said to have a lionlike head, a dragonlike tail, and a body similar to a goat. Most often it has one horn, like the familiar unicorn, but it can come in many different colors. The true similarity is its nature: the Qilin is reportedly noble, kind, and gentle–with good, law-abiding folks, that is. It’s also known to be a strong opponent of the unjust.
All those colors associated with the Qilin represent its connection to the natural elements. Along with the dragon, turtle, and phoenix, the Qilin is revered as an extremely powerful mythical creature. It’s also closely related to the Japanese Kirin and Korean Gilin.
Later today, in my newsletter, readers will find the new Carousel Caper, which–surprise!–features a Qilin. But it looks a bit different! My version is essentially a Qilin in disguise, masquerading as a quaint porcelain horse. Porcelain, another Chinese invention, plays an important role in the story. It was partly the Qilin’s association with fire that originally led me to make the connection between porcelain carousel horse and Chinese unicorn, because porcelain is made using extremely high temperatures. The research that went into the story was really fun, and the Qilin itself is a fascinating mythical beast!
Selected Resources
“Chinese Mythology: Qilin.” Godchecker.com. Find it here.
“Dragons, Qilin, Phoenix and Other Mythical Beasts.” Chinasage.info. Find it here.
“Qilin.” Myths and Folklore Wiki. Find it here.
