The Ultimate Guide to China's Iconic Mythical Creatures

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Meet the powerful guardians, spirits, and deities of Chinese folklore
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Are you curious to learn more about the mystical beasts of Chinese mythology? Here’s the perfect place to get started! Chinese mythology is an incredibly rich and colorful subject, filled with tales of magical creatures—some you might already be familiar with, and some that might be totally new to you. In this comprehensive mythological bestiary, we’ll introduce you to the most prominent creatures in Chinese folklore, from the nine-tailed fox to the Dragon King. Let’s dive in!

Legendary Creatures from China & Their Names

Chinese mythology references magical creatures of all shapes and sizes, from the Four Guardians (creatures each representing a season, color, and element) to the nine-tailed fox (jiuweihu), the phoenix (fenghuang), the moon rabbit (or jade rabbit), and the Chinese dragon (loong).

1

Ao

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  1. Ao is a giant, ocean-dwelling turtle believed to live in the South China Sea while the world was still being formed. According to one legend, the goddess Nüwa (who created humankind in Chinese mythology) needed to mend the sky after a disaster, so she cut off Ao’s legs and used them to support her so she could reach the sky. In another myth, Ao continues to live in China’s Bohai Sea, where he bears three islands—Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou—on his back.[1]
    • Chinese: 鳌
    • Pinyin: Áo
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2

Bai Ze

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  1. The Bai Ze is an auspicious, divine creature in Chinese mythology; it resembles a lion with horns on its head, green hair, multiple sets of eyes, and the ability to fly. Alternatively, it can have the head of a tiger with a red mane, a horn, and the body of a loong (a dragon in Chinese mythology). Folklore says that the Bai Ze symbolizes warding off evil spirits and expelling ghosts. In the 9th and 10th centuries, people would even hang drawings of Bai Ze for protection in their homes!
    • Chinese: 白泽
    • Pinyin: Báizé
    • According to Chinese myth, the Bai Ze also taught the Yellow Emperor about supernatural creatures and how to repel them.
3

Bashe

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  1. The bashe is a legendary serpent resembling an enormous python, large enough to devour entire elephants. In fact, its name compounds terms for “elephant-eating snake” and “serpent.” Real pythons are capable of crushing and swallowing their prey—so the bashe is likely an exaggerated version of this, one that was said to be insatiable, and eat an elephant every three years.[2]
    • Chinese: 巴蛇
    • Pinyin: Bā-shé
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4

Bifang

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  1. The bifang is a sacred mythological bird said to have just one leg, named after the sound it makes. Beyond that, it resembles a crane. It’s described as green with red markings and a white beak—although its appearance can vary, depending on the source. According to Chinese folklore, the bifang is an omen that predicts or accompanies fire. It supposedly dwells on China’s Mount Zhang’e, as well as west of the Blue River.[3]
    • Chinese: 毕方
    • Pinyin: Bì Fāng
5

Denglong (Hou)

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  1. The denglong—also simply called the hou—is a mythical beast resembling a half-dragon and half-dog; in some legends, it’s one of the Dragon King’s nine sons. It also has other animalistic traits: a deer’s horns, a camel’s head, a lion’s mane, and even a snake’s neck. In legends, the denglong lives at the center of the universe and acts as a messenger between heaven and earth, bringing heaven’s will to humanity and bringing news of humanity’s condition to heaven.
    • Chinese: 蹬龙
    • Pinyin: Wàngtiānhǒu or Hǒu
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6

Dragons

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  1. The Chinese dragon is also called a loong—and, as you may already know, many dragons (and draconic creatures) of all shapes and sizes exist in Chinese mythology. Generally, these dragons have long, snake-like bodies with dragon heads. They usually symbolize different powers, including control over the elements (water, fire, weather, and so on), imperial power, transformation, and good fortune.[4]
    • Chinese: 龙
    • Pinyin: Lóng
    • In addition to their long bodies, Chinese dragons tend to have other animalistic traits—fish-like scales, a stag’s antlers, a bird’s talons, and so on.
    • Ancient Chinese mythology names four dragons as being particularly important:
      • Tianlong (the Celestial Dragon), guardian of the gods’ heavenly homes.
      • Fuzanglong (the Dragon of Hidden Treasure), who guards natural and man-made wealth.
      • Dilong (the Earth Dragon), who has power over all waterways.
      • Shenlong (the Spiritual Dragon), who has power over the rain and winds.
7

Fenghuang (Phoenix)

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  1. The fenghuang is a mythical bird often referred to as the “Chinese phoenix,” although there are differences between the fenghuang and the Western idea of a phoenix. They’re considered the rulers over all other birds, and they’re depicted with elements of several different bird species: a golden pheasant’s head, a mandarin duck’s body, a peacock’s tail, a crane’s legs, a parrot’s mouth, and a swallow’s wing. It’s said to have been born from the sun itself![5]
    • Chinese: 凤凰
    • Pinyin: Fènghuáng
    • The fenghuang’s body represents the celestial bodies. Symbolically, its head represents the sky, its eyes are the sun, its back is the moon, its wings are the wind, its feet are the earth, and its tail is the planets.
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8

Hulijng (Fox Spirit)

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  1. The huli jing is a fox spirit (translating to “fox immortal” or “fox god’), related to the nine-tailed fox, which is another type of fox spirit. Fox spirits can be very different depending on the specific myth; some are bad omens of mischief and misfortune, while others can be very benevolent and seen as good omens. Fox spirits are supposedly dangerous, able to disguise themselves as beautiful women—although they end up falling in love with mortal men in some myths.[6]
    • Chinese: 狐狸精
    • Pinyin: Húlijīng
9

Jiangshi

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  1. The jiangshi is also called a “Chinese hopping vampire,” said to be an undead creature (or, variably, a reanimated corpse) that hops or leaps along and devours its unfortunate victims. As funny as the image of a hopping vampire might be, legends also say that it’s capable of charging and sprinting after its prey if it has enough “yang” energy. The concept of jiangshi may come from the simple horror of looking at a dead body; unburied bodies may have inspired such superstitions in imperial China.[7]
    • Chinese: 僵尸
    • Pinyin: Jiāngshī
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10

Peng (Kun Peng)

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  1. The peng—or kun peng—is a giant, shapeshifting bird in Chinese mythology. In bird form, it’s simply a peng; when it changes shape, it turns into a gigantic fish called a kun (hence the fuller name, kunpeng). This magical fish-bird is believed to be capable of flying thousands of miles in just one flight. Its story is described in the classic Daoist work called Zhuangzi, in which the fish-bird flies through a gale.[8]
    • Chinese: 鯤 (kun) 鵬 (peng)
    • Pinyin: Kūn péng
11

Moon Rabbit (Jade Rabbit)

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  1. The moon rabbit, also called the jade rabbit, appears throughout East Asian mythology; in Chinese folklore, it’s the companion of Chang’e, goddess of the Moon, and lives there with her. The rabbit, named Yutu, pounds herbs and makes the elixir of immortality for Chang’e (although some depictions show the rabbit making various types of rice cakes instead). As such, the rabbit is often depicted with a mortar and pestle, with the mortar’s contents differing by folklore.[9]
    • Chinese: 月兔
    • Pinyin: Yuètù
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12

Nian

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  1. The nian is a beast connected to the Chinese New Year (since “nian” is a key character meaning “year” or “new year”). In modern legends, the nian is a beast that emerges from its hiding place to feed at the beginning of the Chinese New Year, devouring animals and people alike—and even raiding villages when food is scarce. It’s depicted as a lion with a flat face, long incisors, and a dog-like body. Legends also say the beast is afraid of the color red, hence why people hang red lanterns and scrolls around the Chinese New Year![10]
    • Chinese: 年兽
    • Pinyin: Nián shòu
13

Nine-tailed Fox (Jiuweihu)

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  1. The nine-tailed fox—also called jiweihu—is a fox spirit of particular power. Chinese folklore depicts foxes as trickster spirits with magical abilities (especially shapeshifting), and the more tails a fox has, the more powerful it is. Thus, the nine-tailed fox has a great deal of power; it’s said to be able to transform itself into a man or woman, beguile humans with magic, and learn things even when thousands of miles away![11]
    • Chinese: 九尾狐
    • Pinyin: Jiǔwěihú
    • According to some legends, a fox spirit that reaches a thousand years old can ascend to heaven and become a celestial fox.
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14

Pixiu

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  1. The pixiu is another fascinating hybrid creature, resembling a winged lion with a draconic head. In some accounts, the bixie (discussed above) is a particular type of pixiu with two horns; the other type, the tianlu, has a single horn. Regardless, the pixiu is said to be lucky, capable of attracting wealth to itself while simultaneously warding away evil. The appearance of a pixiu is said to be extremely helpful for those going through a rough time financially!
    • Chinese: 貔貅
    • Pinyin: Píxiū
15

Qilin

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  1. The qilin is a magical chimera-like creature, traditionally depicted as having draconic features (especially their heads) combined with the body of an ox or deer of sorts and a single horn (or pair of horns or antlers) atop their heads. Additionally, they’re always depicted with cloven hooves. Interestingly, the qilin has been associated with giraffes—and is even sometimes translated as “unicorn”! Like unicorns, they’re said to be wise and noble creatures. They’re also omens of the rise or death of a benevolent monarch (or sage).[12]
    • Chinese: 麒麟
    • Pinyin: Qílín
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16

Qiongqi

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  1. The qiongqi is said to be one of the “Four Perils” or “Fiends,” malevolent beings known for their monstrous nature. The qiongqi is depicted as a tiger with feathered wings, though some variants have hedgehog-like quills, too. Its name roughly translates to “distressingly strange,” and as the legends go, the qiongqi is a symbol of human vice that eats people and encourages the spread of evil, specifically targeting righteous individuals.[13]
    • Chinese: 窮奇
    • Pinyin: Qióngqí
17

Shishi (Guardian Lions)

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  1. Chinese guardian lions (also known as “stone lions” or shishi) are more than just mythical creatures: they’re architectural ornaments normally sculpted from stone and used as spiritual protectors to ward buildings (and the people inside them) from harm. You’ll often see them placed around imperial Chinese palaces and tombs, although they’ve spread to other parts of Asia over the centuries, from Japan to the Philippines, Tibet, Thailand, and beyond.[14]
    • Chinese: 狮子
    • Pinyin: shīzi
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18

Taotie

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  1. The taotie is a demonic beast in Chinese mythology, another of the four legendary “perils.” It’s a symbol of greed and gluttony, and is traditionally depicted as just the monstrous head of a beast with bulging eyes, a large mouth, and no body—capable of devouring anything in its path. In myths, it’s obsessed with eating. According to some legends, the gods took the taotie’s body away to prevent it from digesting anything, as punishment for its greed.[15]
    • Chinese: 饕餮
    • Pinyin: Tāotiè
    • Taotie is sometimes named as one of the Dragon King’s nine sons (more of which are listed below).
19

The Dragon King

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  1. The Dragon King—called longwang—is a celestial draconic creature in Chinese mythology (although he’s known by several different names in other mythologies, too). The Dragon King is said to be capable of manipulating the weather, moving the seasons, and controlling the rain at will; he’s also the ruler of all bodies of water and the personification of dragons in Chinese culture.[16]
    • Chinese: 龙王
    • Pinyin: Lóngwáng
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20

The Four Guardians

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  1. The Four Guardians—also called the “Four Symbols” are a quartet of mythical creatures, each associated with a cardinal direction and color. The four creatures also each represent a season of the year and one of the elements (wood, fire, metal, and water). The four guardians are:[17]
    • Azure Dragon (Qinglong) - Associated with the East, as well as spring, dawn, wood, and the color blue-green.
    • Black Tortoise (Xuanwu) - Associated with the North, as well as winter, midnight, water, and the color black.
    • Vermillion Bird (Zhuque) - Associated with the South, as well as summer, midday, fire, and the color red.
    • White Tiger (Baihu) - Associated with the West, as well as autumn, dusk, metal, and the color white.
21

The Sons of the Dragon King

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  1. Chinese legends say that the Dragon King had nine offspring, each with their own appearance and abilities. However, because the names of these offspring vary depending on the source, there are more than nine creatures listed here—just to cover all the bases. Regardless, each of the draconic creatures below has been named as a son of the Dragon King in different legends.
    • Bi’an (狴犴): The bi’an is a combination of a tiger and a dragon. In legends, it is fiercely devoted to justice and righteousness.
    • Bixi (赑屃): A dragon with a turtle’s shell on its back. In folklore, the bixi could carry stone steles and other immensely heavy objects on its back, and people would rub statues of it for luck.
    • Chaofeng (嘲风): The chaofeng is very bestial, known as a leader of scaled creatures. Its mother may have been a phoenix, a bird, or a lynx.
    • Chiwen (蚩吻): A dragon-fish hybrid often used to decorate imperial rooftops. Chiwen is associated with water and said to have a great love of “swallowing” things, which is why it became a sentinel of sorts on rooftops.
    • Fuxi (负屃): The fuxi is a dragon-type creature with a great love of literature and calligraphy in Chinese mythology.
    • Gongfu (蚣蝮): Gongfu is a draconic beast related to water, known for being an avid swimmer and being able to control flood waters.
    • Jiaotu (椒图): Jiaotu is a cross between a dragon and a clam or a conch, supposedly preferring to remain isolated and undisturbed in its shell. Its likeness was carved on doors to guard them.
    • Pulao (蒲牢): Pulao (also known as tulao or pu lao) is a dragon in Chinese mythology said to love roaring. Thus, pulao’s likeness is depicted on bells (or used as the hook upon which bells are hung).
    • Qiuniu (囚牛): Qiuniu is a yellow or golden dragon with shimmering scales known for its love of music. It is seen as a patron of music in Chinese mythology, depicted on musical instruments for protection.
    • Suanni (狻猊): Suanni most closely resembles a lion with some draconic features, known not only for its strength but for its association with fire and appreciation for burning incense.
    • Yazi (睚眦): Yazi is known as a fearsome dragon-leopard (or wolf) hybrid, representing aggression, power, and a love of fighting.
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22

Three-legged Crow (Jinwu)

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  1. The three-legged crow is also known as sanzuwu and jinwu (the “golden crow”) in Chinese mythology. As the name suggests, it’s depicted as a three-legged crow that is believed to inhabit the sun—and, additionally, is seen as a symbol of the sun. There are numerous myths about the three-legged crow; in fact, the earliest depictions of it (which appear on pottery) date all the way back to the Neolithic Yangshao culture of 5000 BCE![18]
    • Chinese: 三足乌
    • Pinyin: Sān zú wū
23

Tiangou

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  1. The tiangou is known as the “Heavenly Dog” in Chinese mythology. It can be a good or bad spirit; in its “bad” form, it resembles a black dog, and in its “good” form, it resembles a white-headed fox. Tiangou can bring tranquility and protection from danger in its benevolent form, but in its darker form, it is said to devour the moon (or sun) during an eclipse. In one legend, Tiangou devours the moon with Chang’e, the moon goddess, on it, but is later forced to spit both out.
    • Chinese: 天狗
    • Pinyin: Tiāngǒu
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24

Xiezhi

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  1. The xiezhi is a Chinese symbol of justice. It resembles a cross between an ox and a goat, with thick fur and a single horn on its forehead. Highly intelligent and capable of understanding human speech, the xiezhi has a keen sense of right and wrong; according to legend, it will even impale people it senses to be corrupt with its horn before devouring them, thus upholding justice in its own unique way.[19]
    • Chinese: 獬豸
    • Pinyin: Xièzhì
25

Zouyu

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  1. The zouyu is a magical tiger-like creature in Chinese mythology; it looks incredibly fierce, yet is said to be a gentle and righteous creature that doesn’t eat flesh (or any meat, for that matter). Like the qilin, the zouyu can also be an omen, said to appear during the rule of a particularly benevolent monarch—thus, it’s an auspicious symbol.
    • Chinese: 驺吾
    • Pinyin: Zōuyú
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.yijing.nl/YiMagic/old-oracles/ShenShu/stories/053-turtle.html
  2. ↑ https://service.shanghai.gov.cn/sheninfo/specialdetail.aspx?Id=039f386c-0739-4eeb-aeb9-488fa439477a
  3. ↑ https://abookofcreatures.com/2019/02/08/bifang/
  4. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/long
  5. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/fenghuang
  6. ↑ https://open.muhlenberg.pub/chinasmagicalcreatures/chapter/fox-spirits/
  7. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20071121020116/http://www.pennyblood.com/chinesevampires.html
  8. ↑ https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/384458
  9. ↑ https://lansugarden.org/the-moon-rabbit-who-hopped-across-cultures/
  1. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lunar-New-Year#ref1263919
  2. ↑ https://open.muhlenberg.pub/chinasmagicalcreatures/chapter/fox-spirits/
  3. ↑ https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/Charger-with-a-qilin--7adc8c805dfffa8869be2211cf4c4943
  4. ↑ https://ctext.org/shan-hai-jing/xi-shan-jing
  5. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/art/Lion-of-Fo
  6. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=94NuSg3tlsgC&q=Taotie+jade+cong
  7. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Longwang
  8. ↑ https://www.museum.go.kr/ENG/contents/E0202030000.do?menuId=past&exhiSpThemId=4179&schM=view&listType=list
  9. ↑ https://www.academia.edu/444355/Three_Legged_Animals_in_Mythology_and_Folklore
  10. ↑ https://young.dpm.org.cn/en/info/1097

About This Article

Glenn Carreau
Co-authored by:
Glenn Carreau
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Glenn Carreau. Glenn Carreau is a wikiHow Staff Writer, currently based in Los Angeles. With over four years of experience writing for several online publications, she has covered topics ranging from world history to the entertainment industry. Glenn graduated with honors from Columbia College Chicago, earning a B.A. in Interactive Arts and Media and a minor in Professional Writing. Today, Glenn continues to feed her lifelong love of learning while serving wikiHow's many readers.
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Updated: March 27, 2026
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