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Qilin: Difference between revisions
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(Created page with "thumb|right|A qilin of the Qing dynasty – note the antlers, closer in style to the Japanese version (Kirin) The '''Qilin''', also spelled '''Ky...") |
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=== A Qing dynasty example === | === A Qing dynasty example === | ||
The qilin of China's subsequent Manchurian dominated Qing dynasty is a much more fanciful animal. Manchurian depictions of the qilin depict a creature with the head of a | The qilin of China's subsequent Manchurian dominated Qing dynasty 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. | ||
===In Japan=== | ===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 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 Chinese | In the Chinese hierarchy of mythological animals, the qilin is ranked as the second most powerful creature (after the Chinese dragon), but in Japan, the kirin occupies the top spot. | ||
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). | 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). | ||
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Kirin also makes an appearance as the strongest of the "gods" in Final Fantasy XI. | Kirin also makes an appearance as the strongest of the "gods" in Final Fantasy XI. | ||
==Source== | ==Source== | ||
