The Asian folklore is rich with pantheon of mythical creatures. The legend of Qilin stands as a representation of prosperity and good luck. Popularly depicted as a chimera-like creature, these creatures were quite rarely common in ancient China. It is to be believed that whoever sees a Qilin receives a good fortune, or some life changing event occurs with that individual. Though creatures like Qilin are not yet discovered by archaeologists, yet the legacy of this mythical beast is widely spread all around the Chinese literature.
As these creatures are rarely to be seen, the ancient Chinese scholars often depicted them in different ways. Commonly the Qilins are chimera-like creatures with attributes of different animals. According to the popular belief, a Qilin possesses the hooves of a horse, the body of a deer, the tail of an ox, and occasionally the scales of a dragon. This amalgamation brings the majestic nature of these benevolent creatures in different regional and world literatures and folklore.
As Qilins are widely associated with Chinese culture, these mythical beasts also contribute a wide portion to influencing the Chinese art of the different dynasties that ruled at that time. There are different paintings and sculptures from the Qing dynasty that validate the importance of these creatures as a totem of benevolence and good fortune. The famous painting of Qilin Painted by Yu Sheng and Zhang Weibang, the creature is depicted as more like a unicorn-type figure. While the works and thesis of Zheng He, a Chinese fleet admiral, explorer, and diplomat, depict the creature as more like a giraffe type creatures, the image of Qilin on the blue and white porcelain jar of the Yuan Dynasty depicts the creature like a mythical deer. This adds confusion about the characteristics and physicality of a Qilin. In spite of all these diverse representations, the portrayal of Qilins in Chinese art gives a unique depth to its style and art form, representing their culture to a global audience.
The legacy of Qilins, especially in terms of art, impacted so deeply that its representation started to appear in neighbouring countries, such as Japan and Korea. The small totems of Qilins are gifted by Japanese people as a token of lucky charm to their loved ones. These totems first gained popularity in the 19th century, clarifying the never-ending legacy of these creatures, especially in the form of art. Furthermore, the Qilin’s influence reached Europe, where Delftware potters in the Netherlands emulated Chinese porcelain designs, including the depiction of this mythical creature.
The most famous and well-written story about the encounters of Qilin is its divine meeting with a pregnant mother in the 6th century BC, who later gave birth to the legendary philosopher Confucius who later become one of the pioneer of Chinese culture and literature . According to Chinese lore, a Qilin appeared to Confucius’ mother and gifted her with a jade tablet, predicting the legacy of her unborn child. Similarly, Confucius’ death was also forecasted by a wounded Qilin who appeared in nearby jungles of Lu, a state during the Zhou dynasty of ancient China, before his demise. These tales and encounters validate the existence of Qilins as some form of rare species of animal that were once native to China and its nearby areas.
The ancient Chinese culture and literature are considered one of the richest and most ancient doctrines widely acknowledged in modern literature. The contribution of the legend of Qilin is very significant in Chinese literature, making them real creatures that once roamed the Chinese forests.