Ao Guang is the Dragon King of the East Sea in Chinese folklore, ruling over the Eastern ocean with majesty and authority. He appears prominently in classical works such as Fengshen Yanyi and Journey to the West. His legend embodies the ancient belief in divine control over water and weather.

Ao Guang

Ao Run, also known as Ao Ji, is the Dragon King of the West Sea in Chinese and Korean mythology. He is celebrated as the guardian of Qinghai Lake and a powerful deity of water. As one of the revered Four Dragon Kings, his influence spans cultural and natural realms.

Ao Run

Ao is a colossal marine turtle from Chinese mythology renowned for his role in world creation. In one myth, the goddess Nüwa used his legs to repair the shattered sky, while another portrays him carrying entire islands upon his back. His enduring legacy has influenced the depiction of the dragon-turtle Bixi throughout East Asian art.

Ao (turtle)

The Azure Dragon is a revered mythological creature from Chinese tradition, representing the east and the spring season. It is one of the Four Symbols in Chinese constellations and embodies divine authority and protection. Known by various names including Qinglong and Seiryū, it is a symbol of cosmic balance and renewal.

Azure Dragon

Bai Ze is a divine creature from ancient Chinese legends, renowned for its unique, hybrid appearance that combines features of a dragon and a tiger. It is famed for creating the Bai Ze Diagram, an extensive record of ghosts and spirits. Revered in folklore, Bai Ze is believed to expel ghosts and protect households from evil influences.

Bai Ze

Baku are Japanese supernatural beings renowned for devouring nightmares. They were created from the spare pieces left over after the gods finished creating all other animals. This enduring legend has made them a fixture in traditional art and modern media alike.

Baku (mythology)

Bashe is a legendary giant snake from Chinese mythology known for its python-like form and enormous appetite. It is famed for its ability to consume elephants, symbolising the untamed power of nature. Its myth continues to intrigue and inspire awe in Chinese folklore.

Bashe

The Bifang is a mythological one-legged bird from Chinese folklore. Its descriptions vary across sources, contributing to its enigmatic reputation. The creature is celebrated for its unique avian features and mysterious origin.

Bifang

Bixi is a mythological figure from Chinese lore, depicted as a dragon with a turtle shell. As one of the nine sons of the Dragon King, he embodies qualities of longevity, strength, and endurance. His stone sculptures serve as decorative plinths in commemorative and funerary sites across East Asia, bringing good luck and cultural significance.

Bixi

Biyiniao are unique mythological birds from Chinese folklore. Each individual possesses a single eye and one wing, necessitating a pairing for complete flight. They symbolize unity and partnership as recorded in classical texts like the Erya.

Biyiniao

Caishen is the revered God of Wealth in Chinese folk religion and Taoism. He is traditionally depicted riding a black tiger while holding a golden rod and an iron tool capable of transmuting materials. His image is especially celebrated during Chinese New Year to invoke prosperity and good fortune.

Caishen

Canshen is the revered Chinese deity of silkworms and sericulture, embodying two mytho-historical figures: the nurturing Silkworm Mother and the ancestral Bluegreen-Clad God. Through their divine contributions, they pioneered the art of silk production. Their worship reflects the profound cultural significance of sericulture in ancient China.

Canshen

Chang'e is the revered Moon Goddess of Chinese mythology, renowned for her beauty and timeless presence. She ascended to the Moon and resides in the Moon Palace with her faithful Moon Rabbit companion. Her legend is celebrated during the Mid-Autumn Festival, symbolising immortality and the enchanting allure of the lunar realm.

Chang'e

The chang is a malevolent Chinese ghost or zombie, cursed to lure unsuspecting victims to death on behalf of a tiger. As the restless spirit of those killed by tigers or drowning, it remains trapped in a cycle of vengeance. Its sinister role in folklore is immortalized through idioms that underscore the interdependence of evil forces.

Chang (monster)

Chimimōryō, also known as Chimei wangliang, is a collective term for demonic spirits from ancient Chinese mythology. They are famed as monsters of the mountains and rivers, embodying the diverse forms of yaoguai. Originating approximately 2,500 years ago, they have significantly influenced both Chinese and Japanese folklore.

Chimimōryō

The Chinese dragon is a legendary, serpentine creature revered in Chinese mythology and culture. It is known for its auspicious influence and control over water and weather. Traditionally depicted with a long, scaled body and four clawed legs, it symbolizes power, prosperity, and benevolence.

Chinese dragon

Chiyou is a mythological war deity and tribal leader from ancient Chinese legends. He is depicted with a bronze bull-like head, four eyes, and six arms, melding human and animal features. Renowned for his ferocity in battle and mastery of weather-manipulating magic, he embodies both chaos and martial might.

Chiyou

Cynocephaly is a mythological phenomenon describing human bodies with the head of a dog or jackal. It appears across various cultures including ancient Egypt, India, Greece, China, and medieval Europe. The imagery has persisted into modern popular culture as a symbol of exotic hybridity.

Cynocephaly

Dapeng Jinchi Mingwang, the Golden-Winged King of Illumination, is a revered guardian deity in Mahayana Buddhism and Chinese mythology. He is celebrated for his magnificent golden wings and his role in protecting the Pure Land, Mount Sumeru, and Trāyastriṃśa. Derived from the Indian bird god Garuda, his character bridges diverse cultural traditions and embodies divine guardianship.

Dapeng Jinchi Mingwang

Denglong is a legendary creature from Chinese mythology renowned for its serpentine form and auspicious nature. It is associated with the control of water and the freedom of flight, embodying traits of both magic and might. Revered as a symbol of imperial authority and good fortune, Denglong plays a significant role in traditional folklore.

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