What monsters were there in ancient China?

龙荍

The name of the grass. The horse eats it and travels a thousand miles in a day. As the old saying goes: ‘A dragon cud tree turns into a dragon colt. ’ Emperor Mu tried to raise eight horses in this way. It is said that it was transformed by the dragon's saliva.

It is recorded in "The Story of Sui Yi".

Chongming Bird: Yao reigned for seventy years, and there was a country with the Qi branch. The bird dedicated to Chongming...can hunt down ferocious beasts, tigers and wolves, and prevent evil spirits from causing harm. "The Supplementary Notes"

One-horned Sheep: Go to ①du, a one-horned sheep, and it is known that it is guilty. When Gaotao was in prison, he ordered the sheep to touch the suspects (people with suspicion). If they were guilty, they would touch them, but if they were innocent, they would not touch them. Therefore, Gao Tao worshiped the sheep and sat up to serve them. "Lunheng"

①Because that word cannot be typed, there is a homophone instead

(Chongwei)

The essence of Sichuan water. It has one head and two bodies, like a snake, eight feet long, and when called by its name, it can be a fish or a turtle.

"Guanzi (Shui Di)" contains it.

Medicinal beasts

During the reign of Shennong, the Bai people introduced medicinal beasts. When people are sick, they use the unknown language passed down by the white people to inform them. The beast went to the wild and carried the grass back, and drank it with the grass, and the disease was cured. It is said that Huangdi asked Fenghou to organize his information and pass it on to future generations. (Where is Shennong?)

It is recorded in "Yun Chuang Private Chronicles".

Updated ancient gods:

Ji Meng

He has a human body and the head of a dragon. He often appears in places with water, and there will be violent storms with it. (It is very similar to the Dragon King in the legend of later generations and should be its prototype)

It is recorded in "The Classic of Mountains and Seas (Eight Middle Classics)".

Shennong

It is said that he is Emperor Yan. Human body and bull head. One of its contributions was the development of farming. There is a sparrow with nine ears of grass in its mouth. Those who pick it up plant it on the ground, and those who eat it will grow old and not die. He is also the ancestor of medicine. "Sou Shen Ji" says that he used the red divine whip to whip the herbs, understand the habits of the herbs, and then use them. "Huainanzi" said that he was born with an exquisite jade body and could see his own internal organs and detoxify them. Legend has it that tea was used, but once he tasted the gallbladder, he was poisoned and died before he could drink the tea to detoxify.

Generally the latter is more widely spread.

Updated exotic beasts:

Sea Spider

Born on the island. It is as big as a wheel, has five colors on its body, and has thick silk. Tigers and leopards cannot escape if they touch it, and they kill it and eat it. (It should be a giant spider, but it is strange that it can kill tigers and leopards, and it was born on an island?)

It is recorded in "Xiangzu Notes".

Qilin

Qilin is the male and Lin is the female. Elk body and ox tail corner. If you don't wear it, insects will grow, and if you don't break it, grass will grow. Although it is very strong, it does no harm, so it is called a benevolent beast. An auspicious thing. Lin, phoenix, turtle, and dragon are called the four spirits.

It is recorded in "Shuowen" and "Book of Rites (Liyun)".

Bai Nue

There is no grass or tree on Shanzhang Mountain, and there are only birds. It looks like a pheasant, with a head, white wings and yellow feet. It is called Bai Nue. It has been eaten. Pain may result in constipation.

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Birds. Its body is as big as an ox, its wings are more than two feet wide, and it can catch tigers and leopards.

"The Mohist Wields the Rhinoceros" contains this.

Updated foreign objects:

Sea mirror

Round, more than two feet in circumference, the outer ring is cyanotic, like jade but not jade; in the middle is a white stone Protruding, the bottom is empty and clear, like crystal and amorphous. Strange fish and all rocks can be seen hundreds of miles away to help avoid them.

"Xu Zi Bu Yu" contains it.

Updated Anecdotes:

Turtle Treasure

A rare spiritual object. There was a sea visitor who got a glass bottle the size of a baby's fist. There was a small turtle about an inch long inside, which was constantly turning, but the mouth of the bottle was so small that he didn't know how to get in (this can be done, so it's not unusual). But he was immediately surrounded by turtles and could not escape, so he had to abandon it and the turtle group dispersed. Knowledgeable people call it Turtle Treasure, but those who are less fortunate will not be able to get it. If you get it and hide it at home, you will definitely find a treasure.

(It is estimated to be like a cornucopia, or something like a turtle holding treasures in its mouth)

It is recorded in "Xugu Xianchao".

Kui Cow in the East China Sea

There is a mountain in the East China Sea called Liubo Mountain. This mountain is about 7,000 miles from the coast. There is a beast on the mountain, which looks like a cow, is gray all over, has no horns, and only has one leg. Every time there is a violent storm. It also shone with light like sunlight and moonlight, and its roar was as deafening as thunder. Later, the Yellow Emperor obtained this beast and used its skin to make a drum and the bones of the thunder beast as drumsticks. The sound of the drum resounded five hundred miles away, frightening the enemy soldiers and subduing the world.

Updated exotic beasts:

Barbarian

Bird. It is shaped like a wild duck, with only one wing and one eye. It takes two birds together to fly. As soon as it appeared, the world was flooded.

It is recorded in "The Classic of Mountains and Seas (Three Western Classics)".

Updated Ancient God:

Qiangliang

He has a snake in his mouth and a snake in his hand. It has a tiger head and human body, four hoofed feet, and long elbows. (Based on its appearance, it should be called a tiger with a human head (stronger than a human-headed horse in the West?). It may like to eat snakes)

It is recorded in the "Shan Hai Jing (Great Wilderness Northern Classic)".

Updated:

Jade Peach

The light is clear and strong, and it must be washed with jade well water before it can become soft and edible. Taking it can lead to immortality. (Many changes occurred in later generations, such as 'Wang Mu Peach', 'Xian Peach', 'Pan Peach', etc.)

It is recorded in "Vu Yiji" and "Shen Nong Jing".

Updated exotic beasts:

Xie Bao

is another name for Du Juan. But there is also a bug named after it. This insect is round like a ball, similar to a shrimp toad. When meeting people, they cover their heads with their forefoot, as if they are shy. It can burrow into the ground and is very fast. But sometimes, hearing the cuckoo's cry on the ground, they would die of brain splitting. (Maybe it got its name from this)

It is recorded in the "Insect Classic".

Updated to other places:

Jiuquan

There is a Jiuquan in the northwest wilderness. The water is like wine, the wine is as delicious as meat and as clear as a mirror. There is a jade cup on it, and when you drink one cup, another cup comes out. This spring is the same as heaven and earth and will never dry up. It is said that those who drink this wine will live as long as heaven and earth.

It is recorded in "Shenyi Jing".

Updated exotic beasts:

Nine-tailed fox

First seen in "Shan Hai Jing (Nan Shan Jing)", it looks like a fox with nine tails, and its voice is like a baby . Cannibalism. Eat it without poison. But later it was given the meaning of symbolizing the prosperity of descendants, and became an auspicious animal, standing alongside the white rabbit, toad, and three-legged crow next to the Queen Mother of the West. Unfortunately, he was eventually burdened by novels and folklore, and turned back into a high-level monster. (Daji)

Updated Ancient God:

Floating

The minister of *** Gong. It is said that after his defeat, he drowned himself (probably he became a god after death). It looks like a red bear and often brings bad luck. If you see it in the hall, the person who dominates the world will die; if you see it below the hall, the common people will be frightened; if you see it near the door, your neighbors will be worried; if you see it in the garden, there will be no serious harm.

Duke Ping of Jin had a dream at night and looked at the screen, which was an illness. Zichan said that when he looked at the screen, he was only sick but not injured. Because he was defeated by Zhuanxu and was a minister of Jianggong, he could be cured by offering sacrifices to Zhuanxu.

It is recorded in "Gu Wen Suo Yu".

Renewal of exotic herbs

Golden Moss

During the Jin Dynasty, a neighboring country presented a type of moss called Golden Moss to the palace. Its color is like gold, like countless fireflies gathered together, and its body is like an egg. If it is thrown into the water, it will spread on the water waves, and the light it emits will sparkle and dazzle. Therefore, some people also call it "Ye Ming Moss".

See Duan Chengshi's "Youyang Zazu" of Tang Dynasty

Updated exotic herbs:

Vine flower

The shape is similar to water chestnut. Purple in the morning, green in the middle, yellow at noon, green at dusk, red at night, the five colors change.

"Yiyuan" contains it.

Updated strange beasts:

Fatty

Like a snake. With six legs and four wings, if you see it, there will be a severe drought in the world.

It is recorded in "The Classic of Mountains and Seas".

Neng

A three-legged turtle with a branched tail. There is no poisonous disease when eating. (Legend has it that it was transformed into a ray after its death.)

It is recorded in "The Classic of Mountains and Seas (Eleventh Classic of the Middle Ages)".

Updated foreign objects:

Wind raccoon staff

This thing should have been issued together with the wind beast. If you get what you want, the beast will be killed by pointing; if you want something, point to what you want.

It is recorded in "Lingnan Foreign Object Chronicles".

Little knowledge

Huagai

When the Yellow Emperor was fighting Chiyou, there would often be five-colored clouds, golden branches and jade leaves, resting on his head. Because it resembles flowers, it is called Huagai. (The emperors of later generations regard themselves as the sons of heaven, so)

It is recorded in "Ancient and Modern Notes".

Updated exotic birds:

Xuan (actually "Wangcang") Lang

It seems to be mentioned in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, another one besides Phoenix A divine bird that sounds like a barking dog, flies with fire, carries Ganoderma lucidum as its nest, and lays eggs in all directions (referring to the shape, this bird is not afraid of cutting its buttocks when laying eggs).

Updated exotic herbs:

Snake Title

Once upon a time, people were plowing their fields and saw a wounded snake lying nearby. Another snake held a piece of grass and covered the injured area. The injured snake recovered the next day. Later, the grass was used to treat sores, and it was effective. This herb has no name and is named after its deeds.

"Yiyuan" contains it.

Updated strange beasts:

Tianji (there are multiple explanations, choose one)

A big bird in the North Sea, it is a thousand miles high, with its left foot on the north side of the sea and its right foot on the north side of the sea. On the south side of Hainan. Its fur is gray, its mouth is red, its feet are black, and it feeds on whales (this is a mythical whale, similar to reality, but more exaggerated). When it vibrates its wings to fly, its sound is like thunder and wind, shaking the heaven and earth. (There are many such giant beasts in Chinese mythology, which is also a major feature)

It is recorded in the "Shen Yi Jing".

Updated strange beasts:

Rain Gong

Liu Yi once saw a woman shepherding sheep and asked about her. The woman replied: This is not a sheep, but a rainmaker. Ask again: What is a rain worker? Answer: Thunder and the like. (This explanation should be a strange beast with thunder attributes, similar to a sheep. However, most of the thunder gods and thunder beasts in myths have humanoid features, and at worst they resemble monkeys. This should be an anomaly)

PS: That woman can't be a lightning mother.

"Collection of Strange Stories" contains it.

Updated exotic grasses:

Huaimeng grass

It looks like cattails and is red in color. It shrinks in the ground during the day and only emerges from the ground at night. Carrying its leaves can tell the good or bad dream, and it will be effective immediately.

But there is an anecdote: Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty missed Mrs. Li and could not tolerate it. Dongfang Shuo (this person was super powerful) offered this herb, and the emperor had a son, and he dreamed of it in the night. (It seems like psychological detection)

It is recorded in "Dong Ming Ji".

Updated stranger:

Guiguzi

It is said that during the reign of Duke Ping of Jin Dynasty, a man lived in seclusion in Guigu Valley and took this as his nickname. There were more than a hundred disciples, but only Su Qin and Zhang Yi were good at vertical and horizontal techniques. He has been in the human world for hundreds of years, but his final destination is unknown.

It is also called the true immortal of ancient times. The surname Wang was from the Xuanyuan era and lived through the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Since he settled in Guigu on weekends to teach apprentices, he once transformed a shoe into a dog to guide Su and Zhang.

(There is also a theory that Su Qin used the pseudonym to disguise himself and wrote the book "Guiguzi")

"Taiping Guangji" and "Luyiji" Loaded.

Updated anecdotes:

Nourishing Shenzhi

During the reign of Emperor Qin, it prospered the dead. A bird puts grass in its mouth on the dead person's face, and he immediately comes back to life. Qin Shihuang sent someone to show this grass to Gui Guzi, and he replied: This is the immortal grass of Zuzhou, which grows in Qiongtian. The leaves are like wild rice and do not grow in clusters. One plant can live a thousand people.

Updated stranger:

Dongfang Shuo

A native of Pingyuan Yanci, he has taught in Wuzhong for decades. When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty wrote a letter, he was worshiped as a man. Some people at that time thought he was a saint, while others thought he was just a clown. His words may be deep or shallow, and no one can fathom their true meaning. Later he abandoned his official position and left. "Hanshu" calls him the 'Funny Hero' (inspiring!). Judging from the legend, this person is knowledgeable and talented, and can interact with the immortal class, but his own abilities are not very obvious. (Absolutely wise and foolish).

"Biography of Immortals" contains it.

Updated anecdotes:

Before Dongfang Shuo died, he once said to the people who lived with him: No one in the world knows my true face, except the great prince. After his death, Emperor Wu heard this rumor and summoned the prince to ask about it. The great prince said: I don't know. Emperor asked: What are you good at? Reply: Stargazing. The emperor asked again: Are the star positions normal? Reply: Everything else is normal, only Sui Xing has just reappeared after missing for eighteen years. Emperor Wu looked up to the sky and sighed: Shuo has been by my side for eighteen years, but I didn't know that he was the spirit of the year star. Miserably unhappy. (Note: The year star is Jupiter)

Updated ancient gods:

Xingtian

It turned out to be a minister of Emperor Yan, and he seemed to be a civil servant (at least not a soldier) ). Emperor Yan was defeated by Emperor Huang. Xingtian refused to accept and continued to fight. The emperor cut off his head and buried it under Changyang Mountain (the birthplace of Emperor Yan). The headless Xingtian used his own breasts as his eyes, his navel as his mouth, a shield in his left hand, and an ax in his right hand, swinging them endlessly, and continued fighting. (Warrior!)

It is recorded in "The Classic of Mountains and Seas (Western Classic of Seas and Seas)".

Little common sense:

The Five Emperors

The east is Taiqiu, the south is Yandi, the west is Shaohao, the north is Zhuanxu, and the center is Huangdi.

Both "Chu Ci" and "Zhou Rites" are included.

The Emperor of Heaven generally refers to the Yellow Emperor, but sometimes refers to the Yan Emperor or Yao.

Many ancient materials or biographies mention various mythical beasts, especially wonders such as the Book of Mountains and Seas. I saw it was posted by a friend before, but the content is roughly the source of the introduction, and there is relatively little explanation. Today I will add a little more.

Yu number: East China Sea God of the Sea, human face and bird body, ear hangings Two yellow snakes, two yellow snakes underfoot.

Yu Jing: The son of Yu Hao, with a human face and a bird body, two green snakes hanging from his ears, and two red snakes on his feet. God of wind and sea god of the North Sea.

郃: The god of heat, dressed in green clothes and a green handkerchief, with a cold face. The picture looks like an old monkey. Gender is female.

Zhu Rong: God of Fire, with a beast body and a human face, riding two fire dragons.

***Worker: Water God, with a snake body and a human face, red hair, driving a black dragon. He is the great-great-grandson of Zhu Rong.

Houtu: God of earth.

Cho Ming: God of Time.

Jumang: The wood god, also known as Chong, has a bird face and a human body, riding two dragons.

Shen Tu, Yu Lei: God of the underworld, living in Taodu Mountain in the East China Sea.

Buting Huyu: God of the South China Sea.

Zhuyin: God of Zhongshan.

Di Tai: The Great God of Zhongshan. Lead the land of Zhongshan.

Queen Mother of the West: She has a body with a leopard tail and tiger teeth, and a jade weapon carefully pinned to her head. The Great God lives in Jade Mountain in the west.

Heroic move: a human face and a horse body, with wings on its back and tiger stripes all over its body.

Lu Wu: The god of Kunlun Mountain, with a human face, a tiger body and nine tails.

Enlightened beast: The god of Kunlun Mountain, with a body like a giant tiger and nine heads, each with a human face.

Li Zhu: The tree protector of Kunlun Mountain. The eyes are the brightest.

Long ride: Win the mother mountain god.

Dijiang: God of Tianshan, with six legs, four wings and no head.

Yaoshui: shaped like a cow, with eight legs and a horsetail, two heads, and a shouting voice like a trumpet. Wherever he appears, there will be war.

Bai Ze mythical beast: a mythical beast that describes eleven thousand five hundred and twenty kinds of strange and strange things in the world.

Chi You: Human body with ox hooves, four eyes and six hands, strong horns on his head, hair standing as straight as a sword beside his ears, he feeds on sand, stones and money.

Demon: A monster with a human face and an animal body and four legs, charming with a soft daughter's voice.

Divine brilliance: with a human face and an animal body, one leg and one hand, it can enchant people with a yawning sound that lulls people to sleep.

The sprite: looks like a three-year-old baby, with a black body and red eyes, long ears and red eyes, long black hair, and a charming childish voice that can babbling.

Feng Bo Feilian: The body of a deer, the head of a bird, with sharp horns on the head, leopard patterns all over the body, and a tail like a yellow snake.

Yushi Pingyi: shaped like a seven-inch silkworm with scaly wings on its back.

Kui Niu: A hornless cow with a gray body and one foot. When entering and exiting the sea, there must be strong winds and rains accompanying it. Its eyes are as bright as the sun and moon, and its roar is like thunder that shocks the world.

Thunder Beast: The body of a dragon and the head of a human, with a belly as big as a drum. Every time I take a selfie and hit my belly, it will release thunder.

Fat Yi: A snake with six legs and four wings. When people see it flying in its natural form, a terrible drought will occur on the ground.

惃惃: It has the shape of an ox with tiger stripes, and its sound is like a human moaning. Once it appears, major floods will occur.

Fei: A cow-shaped white head with one eye and a snake-like tail. It dries up after passing through water and withers through grass. As soon as it appears, a great plague will occur in the world.

Bi Fang Bird: Like a crane, with a green body and white beak, red markings, and one foot. Wherever it appears, strange fires will occur.

Acid and Bird: Like a snake, with four wings, six eyes, and three legs. It will cause panic wherever it is seen.

The five-color bird of Xuandan Mountain: It has a human face and long hair. Wherever it roosts, there will be disaster for the country.

Man-eating monster

Zhu Huai: four horns, big ears like a cow, and a strange-shaped mouth.

Roe Deer Owl: Like a large dog with long legs, its eyes are behind its front feet.

Qiongqi: A monster with a cow shape and a red body, human face and horse feet, and a cry like a baby. (Related by blood to the Yellow Emperor)

Floating: A human-faced beast with a winged body and red hair. It often floats on the water and is good at making waves.

Xiang Liu: The nine-headed monster, disappeared with the Japanese workers after the Fourth War in Heaven.

Soaring Snake:

Chiseltooth: A monster with a human body and an animal head, with six-foot-long chisel-like sharp teeth in its mouth.

Xiu Snake: Also known as Ba Snake, it is a hundred feet long, with a black body and a green head. It can swallow an elephant in one bite.

Qiang Liang: He has a snake in his mouth and a snake in his hand. He has the body of a tiger and the head of a tiger, with long hands.

Sun Ni: Living in the core of the earth for a long time, it is violent and violent. Its body is as white as the scorching sun. Its footprints are everywhere, cracking the ground

The scorched earth. A fierce glow in the fire.

Fox: Cunning, cunning, possessive, yellow fire can freeze all life. It represents the confusion in the fire.

Shang Xi: Greedy and gluttonous, he can swallow heaven and earth. He spits corrosive purple light from his mouth and can dissolve hard minerals and gold. Represents the greedy light of the group of fires.

Jiao Jiao: Cynical and ferocious, green fire breaks out, steaming clouds and fog, causing droughts in the world for many years. Represents the wrath of fire.

Jin Ao: Lives on both land and water, with mysterious cold attributes. The deep blue light can solidify everything into ice. Represents the coldness in the fire.

嫇驷: Crazy and reckless, the raging fire penetrates everywhere, triggering volcanic natural disasters and destroying all living beings. Represents the wild flames of the group of fires.

Pixiu: Bloodthirsty and cruel, his eyes shine with red light, and the high fever turns everything into ashes. Represents the bloody light in the fire.

Cui Wei: Born in darkness, hates light. The evil light of darkness eats away at the brightness of the sun and the moon, covering the sky and the earth. Represents the darkness in the fire.

Cunning: Resentful and perverse, he takes pleasure in destroying all the good things in the world. The blue fire can scorch the earth for thousands of miles. Represents the resentment in the fire.

In ancient times, there was a folk legend that "a dragon gave birth to nine sons, and if they did not become dragons, each had his or her own interests." But there are different opinions on what Jiuzi is.

"Chinese Auspicious Illustrations" says: The eldest of the nine sons is called Prison Ox, loves music, and squats on the head of the piano; the second is called Yazi, is fond of killing and fighting, and is carved on the ring and hilt of the sword; the third is yazi. His name is Chaofeng, he was in danger all his life, and the beast with the horns in the palace is his portrait today; the fourth son Pulao roared loudly when he was hit, and served as the animal button on the bell to help its sound spread far and wide; the fifth son Suanni (s, shaped like a lion , likes to smoke and likes to sit, leaning on the foot of the incense burner, then swallowing smoke and blowing out the mist; Liuzi*xi (bixi), like a turtle with teeth, likes to bear heavy loads, and is the turtle under the stele; Sevenzi Bixi (b, shaped like a tiger) There are statues of him on both sides of the prison gate or the main hall of the official office; the eight sons bear the burden, their body is like a dragon, elegant and graceful, coiled on the top of the stone tablet; the old nine chi (chi) kiss, also known as the owl tail or the chi (chi) kiss, the mouth It moistens the throat and is easy to swallow, so it becomes a spine-swallowing beast at both ends of the palace ridge, which can be used to extinguish fires and eliminate disasters.

"The Collection of Huailu Hall": "Nine sons of a dragon will not become a dragon, each has its own merits. Prisoner Niu, who was fond of music all his life, the beast carved on the head of the Huqin is his portrait; Yaizi (pronounced: Ya), he was fond of killing in his life, and the dragon swallowing his mouth is the portrait of him; Mocking Phoenix, he was fond of danger in his life, and this is the corner of the palace The walking animals are his portraits; Pulao, who loved singing all his life, and the animal button on the bell today is his portrait; Suanni (sound: Suini), who loved sitting all his life, and the lion on the Buddha's seat is his portrait; Baxia, also known as *山 ( bixi), he was fond of carrying heavy loads throughout his life, and the beast on the present monument is his portrait; Bixi, he was fond of litigation, and the lion head on the prison gate is his portrait; The posthumous image; Owl kiss, he was fond of swallowing throughout his life, and the animal head on the spine of the present palace is his portrait.

The book "The Origin of the Gods" says that "Sheng'an Waiji" records that the nine sons of the dragon are: good in quality and shaped like a turtle. The bearer is the turtle under the stele; the Chiki is shaped like an animal, has a good nature, and stands on the ridge of the roof; the Taotie is a good food, and stands on the lid of a tripod; the Earthworm is good at standing, and stands on a bridge pillar; the Jiaotu is like a snail and a clam, and has a closed nature. Standing at the head of the door; the golden lion looks like a lion, good at fireworks, and stands on the incense burner; plus the three of Pulao, Biuan, and Yasu, they are exactly the nine sons of the dragon.

Perhaps the so-called dragon is born. Nine sons does not mean that the dragon just gives birth to nine sons. In ancient Chinese traditional culture, nine is often used to represent many and has a supreme status. Nine is an imaginary number and a noble number, so it is used to describe the dragon.

Prison Niu: A small yellow dragon with scaly horns, good at music. This dragon son with musical talent not only stands on the Huqin of the Han people, but also plays the dragon-headed Yueqin of the Yi people, the Sanxianqin of the Bai people and the Tibetan people. Some musical instruments also have the image of him raising his head and opening his mouth.

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Chiki (pronounced Chiki), also known as Chiki, Chiwei, Haowang, etc. It is shaped like a four-legged snake with its tail cut off. This dragon son likes to look around in dangerous places and also likes to swallow fire. According to legend, when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty built the Bailiang Palace, someone wrote that there was a fish in the sea with a tail like an owl, that is, a falcon. It could spray water to make rain and could be used to ward off fires, so his image was sculpted on the corners, ridges, and corners of the palace. On the roof.

Taotie (yin taotie), looks like a wolf and is good at eating. Zhongding Yi vessels are often carved with the shape of their heads as decoration. Since the Taotie is a legendary evil beast that is particularly gluttonous, people call people who are greedy for food and even property as gluttons. Taotie also appears on Shang and Zhou bronzes as a patterned animal face decoration, called the Taotie pattern. Because it can drink water, some are also decorated on bridge railings to prevent floods from flooding the bridge.

Yaizu (from Yinya), looks like a jackal, and is very fishy to kill. Often carved on the hilt and scabbard. The original intention of Yaizhen is to glare angrily, "A meal of kindness will be repaid, and Yaizhu's resentment will be repaid."

Biuan (pronounced Bigan), also called Charter. It looks like a tiger, is powerful, and is prone to prison litigation. It hates criminals the most, so it is often decorated on the lintel of prisons.

Suanni (sound-sour mud) is also known as Jin Ni and Ling Ni. Suanni is originally an alias for lion, so it is shaped like a lion, good at fireworks and easy to sit on. His style can be seen on the Buddha's seat and incense burner in the temple. Lions, animals that dare to eat even tigers and leopards and have a majestic appearance, were introduced to China along with Buddhism. Since the Buddha Sakyamuni has the metaphor of a "fearless lion", people naturally arrange it as a seat for the Buddha, or carve it on an incense burner so that he can enjoy the incense.

Papi (sound as Basia) is located near the bridge and likes water. It is often decorated on the top of the stone bridge railings. The four corners of the rear door bridge are covered with snakes, and the shape is very beautiful.

The shape of the pepper picture is like a snail and a clam. When a snail and a clam are invaded by foreign objects, it always closes its shell tightly. People use it on doors, probably because it means it can be closed tightly for safety.

Pulao, shaped like a dragon but smaller than a dragon, is fond of chirping. It is said that Pulao lives by the sea, and what he is most afraid of is whales. Whenever he encounters a whale attack, Pulao screams incessantly. So, people put his image on the bell and carved the long piece of wood that struck the bell into the shape of a whale, using it to strike the bell in order to make the sound louder and louder.

Pixiu is also known as Tianlu, with a dragon head, a horse body and a lin foot. This beast is divided into male and female. The male is "Pixi" and the female is "Piu". Pixiu has no hair, scales or butthole, so it is said that it can only go in but not out. Pixiu has one and two horns on its head. It looks majestic and ferocious. It likes to suck the essence and blood of monsters and turn them into wealth. Therefore, in Feng Shui, Pixiu is widely used as a spiritual object to guard the house, ward off evil spirits, and attract wealth. Pixiu feeds on wealth and has the effect of collecting wealth from all directions.

In ancient times, this auspicious beast was divided into one or two horns. One horn was to "ward off evil spirits", and the two horns were "Tianlu". Later, after the change of dynasties, it was not divided into one horn, or two horns. horn. Most of them focus on one corner. The shape of Pixiu is relatively uniform, such as short wings, double horns, curly tail, mane and whiskers often connected with the chest or back, protruding eyes, long fangs, etc. The more common Pixiu nowadays are mostly single horns and long fangs. tail. Pixiu has long curly mane and wings (meaning "prosperity"). Tail hair tendrils, ingots on the body, bats, (meaning "blessings everywhere"). One with flames (meaning "red and fiery"). There are also banana fans, chi tigers, thousand-year-old turtles, etc.

Grasshoppers are small insects that like to carry things on their backs. When you encounter something while walking, pick it up. Carry it with your head held high. The weight on my back is getting heavier and heavier, but I don't stop even though I am very tired. Its back is very rough, so things accumulate and are not scattered, and eventually it falls and cannot get up. Some people took pity on it and helped it remove its things. Once you can move around, you can carry it on your back as before. He also likes to climb high, and will not stop until he reaches the limit of his strength, until he falls to the ground and dies.

Luduan (sounds like Luduan) is a legendary auspicious animal with one horn. It can travel 18,000 miles in a day and is proficient in the languages ????of all the barbarians. It is an auspicious thing and also has the function of protecting and assisting the monarch. meaning. Therefore, there are often Luduan furnishings in the emperor's office. Commonly found on ancient aromatherapy stoves.

There is an ancient town in Suzhou - Luzhi. In the center of the ancient town square stands a sculpture of the one-horned monster "Luduan". According to legend, this beast can ward off evil spirits and suppress wind, and bring harm to the people. When the village was gathered into a town in the Ming Dynasty, the town was renamed Luzhi based on its auspiciousness.

The picture below is a Luduan incense burner made in the Forbidden City during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. It is extremely gorgeous. Lu Duan has a raised head, a single horn, eyes wide open, both ears, and a mouth slightly open for diffusing incense. The four claws serve as upright feet, a round hanging tail, and a cloisonné enamel snake beneath its feet. The whole body is decorated with a bean green enamel ground, and is filled with patterns in red, yellow, blue, white and other colors of enamel. The head of the end can be opened for placing incense.

Hai, also called "獬豸", has a body and head like a sheep, with hooves and a scorpion shape. The most prominent feature is a large, sharp horn on the head. Anyone who studies law knows that it represents "justice and fairness"

I have sorted out some information about the ancient kissing beast.

Most of China's ancient buildings are civil structures, and the roof ridges are made of wood covered with tiles. Because the tile at the front of the eave corner is at the forefront, it has to withstand the downward "push" of the tiles along the entire vertical ridge at the upper end; at the same time, it is easily blown off by strong winds without any protective measures. Therefore, people used tile nails to fix the front tiles at the eaves corners. In the process of beautifying the nail caps, various animal images were gradually formed. In addition to their practical functions, they were further endowed with the functions of decoration and grade marking.

Legend has it that decorating "dragon-kissed beasts" on the roofs of palaces, temples, etc. can avoid fire and drive away evil spirits. It was not dragon-shaped at first, but gradually formed animal-shaped ridges from simple protrusions, some were bird-shaped, and more were ichthyosaur-shaped. The earliest records can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty, in "Three Rites Pictures" There are such decorations at both ends of the roof of the Zhou Wangcheng map. The bird shape evolved into an owl tail (legend has it that it is a magical creature in the sea that can extinguish fire). In the middle or late Tang Dynasty, an owl's snout appeared with its mouth open to swallow its spine. After the Song Dynasty, dragon-shaped kissing beasts increased in number, and became very common in the Qing Dynasty. The surface is decorated with dragon patterns and four claws flying in the air. The dragon head is glaring with anger and its mouth is swallowing the main spine. A sword is inserted on the spine. The artistic image is perfect and is called "zhengki". , "Dragon Kiss", "Big Kiss".

Animal heads are often used on the vertical ridges other than the main ridge. These animal heads look out along the direction of the ridge, so they are famous as beasts. The use of kiss beasts has gradually formed a stricter customization and stricter pattern.

In the Tang and Song Dynasties, there was only one animal head. Later, the number of squatting animals gradually increased. By the Qing Dynasty, the common formation of small animal queues led by "immortals riding phoenixes" was formed today.

"The Immortal Riding a Phoenix" is also called "The Immortal Riding a Chicken" among the people. Who is this "immortal"? Why at the front of the eaves? Why ride a phoenix? There are various folk legends about this.

There is a legend that he is Jiang Ziya’s brother-in-law, and he wants to use Jiang Ziya’s connections to climb up. Jiang Ziya saw his brother-in-law's intentions, but knew that his talents were limited, so he said to him: "Your official position has reached the top. If you climb up any more, you will fall." According to this legend, ancient architects made him It is placed at the very front of the eaves corner. If you climb one step higher, you will fall and be shattered to pieces.

Another legend is that he is King Min of Qi. During his reign, he did not do his job properly and was ignorant, so he was hated by the masses. Rare birds and exotic animals chased him and beat him until he was desperate. If you take a step forward, you will fall and be shattered to pieces.

As for why an immortal is used to ride a phoenix, it is said that the king of Qi failed in a battle and was chased by the enemy to a large river. He was about to have no way out. Suddenly, a big bird flew in front of him. The king hurriedly rode on the big bird and saved the day. Therefore, people put him on the ridge of the building, which means turning danger into good luck.

Behind the little immortals, there is a group of small animals arranged in a sitting position. The number varies according to the scale and level of the building. Most of them are one, three, five, seven, and nine odd numbers (yang numbers). Ten of them are used in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City in Beijing. In addition to symbolizing the supremacy of imperial power, it also probably means that only the emperor deserves to enjoy "perfect" treatment. The number of small animals on different buildings varies. Let’s take nine as an example. They are: owl (one of the nine sons of the dragon), phoenix, lion, Pegasus, seahorse, Suan Ni, fish, Xie Zhi, Bullfighting. The Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City has added a line at the end. The greater the number, the higher the level. Take the Forbidden City as an example. The Hall of Supreme Harmony uses ten, which is unique in the world. The Qianqing Palace, where the emperor lived and handled daily government affairs, is second only to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, with nine. The Kunning Palace was originally the queen's bedroom, with seven. The six east and west palaces where the concubines live, use five; some side palaces use three or even one.

Most ancient palaces were made of wooden structures, which were flammable, so small animals that were said to be able to avoid fire were used on the eaves.

The meanings represented by these little beasts are:

1. Owl (dragon), likes to look around, so it is in front of the eaves. There are various legends about this dragon son since ancient times. One theory is that this dragon lives in the South China Sea and can spray waves into rain, so it is decorated on both ends of the main ridge of the roof, which means fire suppression; the other is that the beasts on both ends of the roof ridge are commonly known as "spine-swallowing beasts". It looks like a dragon but not a dragon. It is facing inward and its mouth is wide open, as if it wants to swallow the entire temple ridge. There is also a sharp sword stuck on its back, with only the hilt exposed. Why did this happen? It is said that it was because the dragon son "left his post without permission" and fled back to the South China Sea to die. After his death, he placed it on the roof of the house. The third theory is that the Dragon King passed the throne to his eldest son. However, after the Dragon King died, The second brother and the eldest brother are competing for the throne, but neither one is willing to give in. What should they do? The two brothers finally discuss and decide the outcome by swallowing a roof. The winner is king. The eldest brother knew that his martial arts skills were not as good as those of the second son, and he was afraid that his throne would be taken away from him. He suddenly drew his sword while the second son was swallowing his spine, stabbed him from behind, and nailed the second son to the ridge of the roof.

It is also said that the sword stuck in the back of the kiss is Xu Xun (AD 239-374, a Taoist priest in Jin Dynasty. Named Jingzhi, a native of Runan, who lived in Nanchang, learned Taoism from Wu Meng, and later became a filial piety Lian was once the magistrate of Jingyang County. Feeling the chaos in the Jin Dynasty, he abandoned his official position and returned eastward, traveling around the country. Legend has it that in the second year of Ningkang in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, he and his family of 42 people built a house in Xishan, Nanchang, and in the Song Dynasty, he was named the "Shen Gong Miaoji Zhenjun". ", the sword that the world praises Zhenjun or Jingyang). There are two purposes for sticking Xu Xun's sword on Qi Qi's back. One is to prevent owl kisses from escaping, which means always spraying water to quell fires; the other legend is that those demons and ghosts are most afraid of Xu Xun's fan-shaped sword, which means to ward off evil spirits.

Oops... there are too many, go read "The Classic of Mountains and Seas" = =