qilin
Chinese mythical beast
A qilin is a mythical creature from Chinese tradition, often compared to a unicorn or chimera in Western terms.
Typically depicted with a dragon's head, deer's body, and scales, the qilin symbolizes good fortune, prosperity, and the arrival of a wise ruler.
It appears in art, architecture, and literature across East Asian cultures: A qilin statue guarded the temple entrance.
Wealth or destiny
- prosperityGood fortune, success
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- luckChance affecting outcomes
omen · benevolence · felicity · propitious · serendipity · boon · flourishing · thriving
Famous beyond ordinary measure
- mythicalOf folklore, not fact
- fabledCelebrated in folklore
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
phoenix · dragon · tortoise · Chinese mythology · East Asian · immortal · supernatural · spirit animal
Uncontaminated quality
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- gentlenessSoft, kind demeanor
benevolence · nobility · grace · serenity · goodness · justice · sagacity · imperial
Protective caretaker of another
- wardProtected person; division
- amuletWorn protective token
- talismanMagical protective charm
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
patron · sentinel · custodian · protector · shield · safeguard · refuge · warding
Thing of mixed parentage
Seldom found or seen
- preciousHighly esteemed, greatly valued
- uniqueOnly one exists
- singularOne in number
- exceptionalNotably above the norm
peerless · once-in-a-lifetime · extraordinary · miraculous · phenomenal · uncommon · select · treasured
fortune
Wealth or destiny
- prosperityGood fortune, success
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
luck · omen · benevolence · felicity · propitious · serendipity · boon · flourishing · thriving · golden
legendary
Famous beyond ordinary measure
lore · phoenix · dragon · tortoise · Chinese mythology · East Asian · immortal · supernatural · spirit animal · mythos
purity
Uncontaminated quality
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
gentleness · benevolence · nobility · grace · serenity · goodness · justice · sagacity · imperial · majesty
guardian
Protective caretaker of another
sanctuary · patron · sentinel · custodian · protector · shield · safeguard · refuge · warding · watchful
hybrid
Thing of mixed parentage
rare
Seldom found or seen
exceptional · peerless · once-in-a-lifetime · extraordinary · miraculous · phenomenal · uncommon · select · treasured · seldom seen
- mythical creaturesdragon, dragons, vampire, vampires, werewolf
- mythic beastsdragon, unicorn, phoenix, griffin, centaur
- Asian craftsbamboo weaving, basketry, cloisonne, incense burner, silk embroidery
- Asian Folkloreyokai, kitsune, oni, tengu, folktales
- Asian Motifsdragons, cranes, lotus flower, phoenix, cherry blossoms
- Asian Sculptureseated Buddha, standing Buddha, garden Buddha, Bodhisattva, guardian lion
qilindemon
Malevolent supernatural being
oni · rakshasa · evil spirit · hungry ghost · basilisk