Qilin
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The Qilin, also spelled Kylin (Chinese: 麒麟; pinyin: qílín; Wade-Giles: ch'ilin), Keilun (in Cantonese), Kirin (also Girin in Korean), Kirin (in Japanese), Sabitun Sabintu (in Manchu), Kỳ lân (in Vietnamese) or Ki len (in Thai), is a mythical hooved Chinese chimerical creature that is said to appear in conjunction with the arrival of a sage. It is a good omen that brings rui (Chinese: 瑞; pinyin: ruì; roughly translated as "serenity" or "prosperity"). It is often depicted with what looks like fire all over its body.
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[edit] Origins
The earliest references to the Qilin are in the 5th century BC book Zuo Zhuan.[1][2] The Qilin made appearances in a variety of subsequent Chinese works of history and fiction. Over time, however, it came to be identified with the giraffe.
Later, the Qilin became a stylised representation of the giraffe. It is known that on Zheng He's voyage to East Africa (landing, among other places, in modern-day Kenya), the fleet brought back two giraffes to Beijing. It is also known that these two giraffes were referred to as "Qilins". The Emperor proclaimed the giraffes magical creatures, whose capture signalled the greatness of his power.
The identification between the Qilin and the giraffe is supported by some attributes of the Qilin, including its vegetarian and quiet nature. Its reputed ability to "walk on grass without disturbing it" may be related to the giraffe's long legs.
The extent to which giraffes and qilins were regarded as the same creature in pre-modern times is unclear. For example, Ming-era depictions of the qilin have much shorter necks than giraffes.
[edit] The nature of the beast
Although it looks fearsome, the Qilin only punishes the wicked. It can walk on grass and yet not trample the blades and it can also walk on water. Being a peaceful creature, its diet does not include flesh. It takes great care when it walks never to tread on any living thing, and it is said to appear only in areas ruled by a wise and benevolent leader (some say even if this area is only a house). It is normally gentle but can become fierce if a pure person is threatened by a sinner, spouting flames from its mouth and exercising other fearsome powers that vary from story to story.
Some stories state that the Qilin is God's most sacred animal, or pet. Therefore, in the hierarchy of dances performed by the Chinese (Lion Dance, Dragon Dance), the Qilin ranks highly; second only to the Dragon and Phoenix whom are the highest.
In the Qilin Dance, movements are characterised by fast, powerful strokes of the head. Qilin Dance is often regarded as the hardest dance to perform due to the weight of the head, stances and the emphasis on "fǎ jìng" (Traditional Chinese - 法勁) - outbursts of strength/power/energy.
[edit] Variations
There are variations in the appearance of the qilin, even as seen in a single country such as China, owing to cultural differences between dynasties and regions.
[edit] Ming dynasty example
In the Ming dynasty of China (1368–1644) the Qilin is represented as an oxen-hooved animal with a dragon-like head surmounted by a pair of horns and flame-like head ornaments. In some representations, the flames that come from the Qilin's mouth contain a book which is actually Buddhist Sutras.
[edit] A Qing dynasty example
The qilin of China's subsequent Manchurian dominated Qing dynasty (1644–1911) is a much more fanciful animal. Manchurian depictions of the qilin depict a creature with the head of a dragon, the antlers of a deer, the skin and scales of a fish, the hooves of an ox and tail of a lion.
[edit] In Japan
In Japanese, the qilin is called kirin. Japanese art tends to depict the qilin as more deer-like than in Chinese art. Kirin Brewery Company, Ltd. is named after the animal, and the word kirin has also come to be used in modern Japanese for a giraffe. It's depicted as a dragon shaped like a European-style unicorn, only with a horse's tail instead of a lion's.
In the Chinese hierarchy of mythological animals, the qilin is ranked as the second most powerful creature (after the dragon), but in Japan, the kirin occupies the top spot.
[edit] Contemporary media references
In the Twelve Kingdoms anime series, based on the fantasy novels by Fuyumi Ono, the monarch of each kingdom is chosen by a kirin, who then becomes his (or her) principal counselor. The kirin's name is derived from the name of the kingdom plus either "ki" (male) or "rin" (female).
The spirit Shishi Gami in Hayao Miyazaki's animated film Princess Mononoke is also clearly derived from the kirin mythology. Other references can be found in the graphic novel Pet Shop of Horrors by Matsuri Akino, published by Tokyopop.
The kirin appears in the video game series Final Fantasy. Kirin is one of the Espers, or summoned monsters in Final Fantasy VI. Kirin also makes an appearance as the strongest of the "gods" in Final Fantasy XI.
In the Pokemon media franchise, the "Creation Pokemon" Arceus appears to be based on the kirin; also, Girafarig is based on the Qilin[citation needed]. Kirin makes an appearance from time to time in the Capcom game Monster Hunter as a special hunting quest.
In the computer game Guild Wars Factions, players encounter both helpful Kirin charged with safeguarding certain areas, as well as several tainted Kirin as enemies.
In the Magic the Gathering set Saviors of Kamigawa, there are five Kirin, one for each color of Magic. They are, Infernal Kirin, Skyfire Kirin, Cloudhoof Kirin, Celestial Kirin, and Bouteous Kirin.
For other uses of the word "kirin" see the Kirin article.
[edit] See also
- Chimera
- Shaanxi Kylins of the Chinese Basketball Association
- Unicorn
- Chinese dragon
- Yali, a Hindu mythological beast.
- Arseus, a Pokemon that may be based upon the Qilin.
- Dairanger, Kirin Ranger is based on a Quilin
