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{{Short description|Legendary creature in Chinese mythology}}
{{About|the legendary creature}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox mythical creature
| name                = Qilin
| image               = Qilin-shaped incense burner 1 CAC.JPG
| caption             = Qilin-shaped incense burner (Qing dynasty, {{Circa|17th-18th century}})
| Grouping            = [[Legendary creature]]
| Sub_Grouping        = [[Chimera (mythology)|Chimera]]
| AKA                 = 
| Country             = China
| Region              = 
| First_Attested      = 5th century BCE
| Similar_entities    = kirin, {{lang|vi|kỳ lân|italics=no}}, {{lang|th-latn|gilen|italics=no}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| title = Qilin
| pic = Qilin (Chinese characters).svg
| piccap = "Qilin" in Chinese characters
| picupright = 0.5
| c = {{linktext|麒麟}}
| p = qílín
| w = ch'i<sup>2</sup>-lin<sup>2</sup>
| j = kei<sup>4</sup>-leon<sup>4</sup>
| y = kèih-lèuhn
| poj = kî-lîn
| h = 
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|q|i|2|.|l|in|2}}
| ci = {{IPAc-yue|k|ei|4|.|l|eon|2}}
| kanji = 麒麟
| hiragana = きりん
| romaji = kirin
| hanja = 麒麟
| hangul = 기린
| mr = Kirin
| rr = Girin
| mnc = ᡴᡳᠯᡳᠨ
| mnc_rom = kilin
| qn = kỳ lân
| chuhan = 麒麟
| th = กิเลน
| rtgs = kilen
| bpmf = ㄑㄧˊㄌㄧㄣˊ
}}

The '''qilin''' ({{IPAc-en|lang|tʃ|i|ˈ|l|ɪ|n}} {{respell|chee|LIN}}; {{zh|c=麒麟}}) is a [[Legendary creature|legendary]] hooved [[Chimera (mythology)|chimerical]] creature that appears in [[Chinese mythology]], and is said to appear with the imminent arrival or death of a [[xian (Taoism)|sage]] or illustrious ruler.<ref name=britannica1>{{cite web|title=qilin (Chinese mythology)|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/110049/qilin|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=24 July 2011}}</ref> Qilin are a specific type of the {{lang|zh-latn|lin}} mythological family of one-horned beasts. The qilin also appears in the mythologies of other Chinese-influenced cultures.

== Origins ==
[[File:Chinese - Dragon - Walters 492425 - Profile.jpg|thumb|Qilin tomb guardian, 4th century CE|left]]The earliest mention of the mythical qilin is in the poem {{zh|t=麟之趾|s=麟之趾|p=Lín zhī zhǐ|l=Feet of the Lin|labels=no}} included in the [[Classic of Poetry]] (11th – 7th c. BCE).<ref>''Classic of Poetry'' [https://ctext.org/book-of-poetry/lin-zhi-zhi "Airs of Zhou and the South – Lin's Feet"] translated by James Legge</ref><ref>Durrant, Li, & Schaberg (translators) (2016). ''Zuo tradition: Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals''. Seattle & London: University of Washington Press. p. 1920, n. 292. quote: "It is significant that the earliest source known to mention the lin itself is “Lin zhi zhi” {{lang|zh|麟之趾}}, or “The Foot of the Lin"</ref> 

{{Verse translation|lang1=zh|italicsoff=y|head1=|麟之趾，振振公子，于嗟麟兮。
麟之定，振振公姓，于嗟麟兮。
麟之角，振振公族，于嗟麟兮。
|attr1=|lang2=|rtl2=|italicsoff2=|head2=|
The feet of the Qilin, the noble sons of our lord. Ah, the Qilin!
The forehead of the Qilin, the noble kinsmen of our lord. Ah, the Qilin!
The horn of the Qilin, the noble clansmen of our lord. Ah, the Qilin!|attr2=<ref>Kong, Qiu. Eds.(2016). {{lang|zh|诗经}} {{bracket|The She King}} (Legge, J. & Shi J.H. Transl.). {{lang|zh|中州古籍出版社}} {{bracket|Zhongzhou Ancient Books Publishing House}}. {{ISBN|978-7-5348-6422-3}}.</ref>}}

''[[Spring and Autumn Annals]]'' mentioned that a ''lin'' ({{lang|zh|麟}}) was captured in the 14th year of Duke Ai of Lu ({{lang|zh|[[:w:zh:魯哀公|魯哀公]]}}) (481 CE); ''[[Zuo Zhuan]]'' credited [[Confucius]] with identifying the ''lin'' as such.<ref>[http://engine.cqvip.com/content/tu/98575x/2001/000/002/gc13_tu1_5337044.pdf {{lang|zh|古建上的主要装饰纹样――麒麟 古建园林技术－作者:徐华铛}}<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201732/http://engine.cqvip.com/content/tu/98575x/2001/000/002/gc13_tu1_5337044.pdf |date=30 September 2007 }}</ref><ref>''Zuozhuan'' "Duke Ai – 14th year – [https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E6%98%A5%E7%A7%8B%E5%B7%A6%E6%B0%8F%E5%82%B3/%E5%93%80%E5%85%AC#%E7%B6%93_14 jing] & [https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/%E6%98%A5%E7%A7%8B%E5%B7%A6%E6%B0%8F%E5%82%B3/%E5%93%80%E5%85%AC#%E5%82%B3_14 zhuan]"'</ref><ref>Durrant, Li, & Schaberg (translators) (2016). ''Zuo tradition: Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals''. pp. 1919–1921</ref>

The bisyllabic form ''qilin'' ({{lang|zh|麒麟}} ~ {{lang|zh|騏驎}}), which carries the same generic meaning as ''lin'' alone, is attested in works dated to the [[Warring States period]] (475–221 BCE).{{cn|date=December 2024}} ''Qi'' denotes the male and ''lin'' denotes the female<ref>[http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Myth/personsqilin.html ChinaKnowledge.de]</ref> according to ''[[Shuowen Jiezi]]''.<ref name="shuowen">''SWJZ'' [https://ctext.org/shuo-wen-jie-zi/lu-bu1#n32769 Radical 鹿]" quote: "{{lang|zh|麟：大牝鹿也。……麒：仁獸也。麋身牛尾，一角。……麐：牝麒也。}}" translation: "'''''Lín'' ({{lang|zh|麟}})''': a large female deer. {{bracket|...}} '''''Qí'' ({{lang|zh|麒}})''': a humane beast. With [[elaphure]]'s body, ox's tail, and one horn. {{bracket|...}} '''''Lín'' ({{lang|zh|麐}})''': female ''qí''."</ref><ref>Parker, Jeannie Thomas (2018) ''The Mythic Chinese unicorn''.  [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]]: Friesen Press. p. 44</ref>

The legendary image of the qilin became associated with the image of the [[giraffe]] in the [[Ming dynasty]].<ref>[http://www.chinanews.com.cn/news/2004year/2004-05-31/26/442822.shtml {{lang|zh|此“麟”非彼“麟”专家称萨摩麟并非传说中麒麟}}]</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=2004 |title=What Kind of Animal Was the Questing Beast? |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/27870605 |journal=Arthuriana |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=66–69 |jstor=27870605 |issn=1078-6279}}</ref> The identification of the qilin with giraffes began after [[Zheng He]]'s 15th-century [[Treasure voyages|voyage to East Africa]] (landing, among other places, in modern-day [[Somalia]]). The Ming Dynasty bought giraffes from the [[Maritime history of Somalia|Somali merchants]] along with zebras, incense, and various other exotic animals.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Wilson |first=Samuel M. |title=The Emperor's Giraffe |magazine=Natural History |volume=101 |number=12 |date=December 1992 |pages=22–25 |url=http://muweb.millersville.edu/~columbus/data/art/WILSON09.ART |access-date=14 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202235051/http://muweb.millersville.edu/~columbus/data/art/WILSON09.ART |archive-date=2 December 2008}}</ref> Zheng He's fleet brought back two giraffes to [[Nanjing]] and they were mistaken by the emperor for the mythical creature. The identification of qilin with giraffes has had a lasting influence: even today, the same word is used for the mythical animal and the giraffe in both Korean and Japanese.<ref name=Parker>Parker, J. T.: "The Mythic Chinese Unicorn"</ref>
[[File:Tribute_Giraffe_with_Attendant_cropped.jpg|left|thumb|A [[Ming dynasty|Ming-era]] painting of a tribute giraffe, which was thought to be a qilin by court officials, from Bengal]]

Axel Schuessler reconstructs [[Old Chinese]] pronunciation of {{linktext|lang=zh|麒麟}} as {{tlit|och|*gərin}}. Finnish linguist [[Juha Janhunen]] tentatively compares {{tlit|och|*gərin}} to an etymon reconstructed as {{tlit|och|*kalimV}},<ref name="Janhunen">Janhunen, J. (2011). "Unicorn, Mammoth, Whale: mythological and etymological connections of zoonyms in North and East Asia". ''Linguistics, Archaeology and the Human Past'', Occasional Paper, 12, 189–222.</ref> denoting "[[whale]]"; and represented in the language isolate [[Nivkh language|Nivkh]] and four different language families [[Tungusic languages|Tungusic]], [[Mongolic languages|Mongolic]], [[Turkic languages|Turkic]] and [[Samoyedic languages|Samoyedic]], wherein *''kalay(ә)ng'' means "whale" (in [[Nenets languages|Nenets]]) and *''kalVyǝ'' "[[mammoth]]" (in [[Enets language|Enets]] and [[Nganasan language|Nganasan]]). As even aborigines "vaguely familiar with the underlying real animals" often confuse the whale, mammoth, and [[unicorn]]: they conceptualized the mammoth and whale as aquatic, as well as the mammoth and unicorn possessing a single horn; for inland populations, the extant whale "remains{{nbsp}}... an abstraction, in this respect being no different from the extinct mammoth or the truly mythical unicorn." However, Janhunen cautiously remarks that "[t]he formal and semantic similarity between *''kilin'' < *''gilin'' ~ *''gïlin'' 'unicorn' and *''kalimV'' 'whale' (but also Samoyedic *''kalay''- 'mammoth') is sufficient to support, though perhaps not confirm, the hypothesis of an etymological connection", and also notes a possible connection between Old Chinese and Mongolian  (*)''kers'' ~ (*)''keris'' ~ (*)''kiris'' "rhinoceros" ([[Khalkha Mongolian|Khalkha]]: {{lang|mn|хирс}}).<ref name="Bolor">{{Cite web |url=http://www.bolor-toli.com/dictionary/word?search=%D1%85%D0%B8%D1%80%D1%81&selected_lang=4-1&see_usages=true&see_variants=true |title=Хирс in Bolor dictionary |access-date=31 January 2019 |archive-date=26 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926150057/http://www.bolor-toli.com/dictionary/word?search=%D1%85%D0%B8%D1%80%D1%81&selected_lang=4-1&see_usages=true&see_variants=true |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Description==
[[File:QingQilin.jpg|thumb|A Qing dynasty statue of a qilin in Beijing's [[Summer Palace]]]]
Qilin generally have [[Chinese dragon]]-like features: similar heads with [[antler]]s, eyes with thick eyelashes, manes that always flow upward, and beards. The body is fully or partially scaled and often shaped like an ox, deer, or horse, or more commonly a goat.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charger with a qilin, anonymous, c. 1350 |url=https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/AK-RBK-1965-88 |access-date=2022-05-15 |website=Rijksmuseum |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Liscomb |first=Kathyln |title=The Zoomorphic Imagination in Chinese Art and Culture |publisher=University of Hawai'i Press |year=2016 |isbn=9780824872564 |pages=341–378 |chapter=9: How the Giraffe Became a Qilin: Intercultural Signification in Ming Dynasty Arts}}</ref> They are always shown with cloven hooves.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Bush |first=Susan |title=The Zoomorphic Imagination in Chinese Art and Culture |publisher=University of Hawai'i Press |year=2016 |isbn=9780824872564 |pages=76–77 |chapter=2: Labeling the Creatures: Some Problems in Han and Six Dynasties Iconography}}</ref> While dragons in China (and thus qilin) are also most commonly depicted as golden, qilin may be of any color or even various colors, and can be depicted as bejeweled or exhibiting a jewel-like brilliance.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Yoshida |first=Masako |title=Trade Stories: Chinese Export Embroideries in the Metropolitan Museum |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/680031 |journal=Metropolitan Museum Journal |year=2014 |volume=49 |issue=1 |pages=4–5 |doi=10.1086/680031 |jstor=10.1086/680031 |s2cid=192217718 }}</ref>

The qilin is depicted throughout a wide range of Chinese art, sometimes with parts of their bodies on fire.<ref name=":1" />

Legends tell that qilin have appeared in the [[Chinese gardens|garden]] of the legendary [[Yellow Emperor]] and in the capital of [[Emperor Yao]]; both events bore testimony to the benevolent nature of the rulers.<ref name=":0" /> It has also been told that the birth of the great sage [[Confucius]] was foretold by the arrival of a qilin.<ref name=britannica1/>

===Qilin as unicorns===
[[File:2015-09-23-110304 - Historisches Museum, Einhorn-Keramik aus der Nördl. Wei Periode (386-534).jpg|thumb|left|One-horned beast depicted in ceramic model from [[Northern Wei]] period (386–534)]]

In modern times, the depictions of qilin have often fused with the Western concept of unicorns,{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}} and qilin ({{lang|zh-hant|麒麟}}) is often translated into English as "unicorn". The Han dynasty dictionary ''[[Shuowen Jiezi]]'' describes ''qi'' as single-horned,<ref name="shuowen"/> and it can sometimes be depicted as having a [[Unicorn horn|single horn]]. The translation, however, may be misleading, as qilin can also be depicted as having two horns.  In modern Chinese, "one-horned beast" ({{lang-zh|t=[[wikt:獨角獸|獨角獸]]|s=[[wikt:独角兽|独角兽]]|p=Dújiǎoshòu|labels=no}}) is used for "unicorns". A number of different Chinese mythical creatures can be depicted with a single horn, and a qilin depicted with one horn may be called a "one-horned qilin" in Chinese.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Nevertheless, the mythical and etymological connections between the creatures have been noted by various cultural studies<ref name=Parker/><ref name=Janhunen/><ref name=Bolor/> and even the Chinese government, which has minted silver, gold, and platinum commemorative coins depicting both archetypal creatures.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces89740.html|title=5 Yuan, China|publisher=Numista|website=en.numista.com|language=en|access-date=13 December 2017}}</ref>

==Other cultural representations==
=== Japan ===
Kirin, which has also come to be used as the modern Japanese word for a [[giraffe]], are similar to qilin. Japanese art tends to depict the kirin as more deer-like than in [[Chinese art]]. Alternatively, it is depicted as a dragon shaped like a deer, but with an ox's tail<ref>{{cite book|last=Griffis|first=William Elliot|title=The Religions of Japan|publisher=Bibliobazaar|year=2007|pages=39|isbn=978-1-4264-9918-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f8oc2uzD6GgC&q=Kirin+tail&pg=PA39}}</ref> instead of a lion's tail. They are also often portrayed as partially [[unicorn]]-like in appearance, but with a backwards curving horn.

=== Korea ===
Girin or kirin ({{lang|ko|기린}}) is the [[Korean language|Korean]] form of qilin. It is described as a maned creature with the torso of a [[deer]], an [[ox]] tail with the [[hoof|hooves]] of a [[horse]]. The girin were initially depicted as more deer-like, however over time they have transformed into more horse-like.<ref>[http://navercast.naver.com/contents.nhn?contents_id=7922&path=|458|539|&leafId=806 {{lang|ko|기린 : 네이버캐스트}}]</ref> They were one of the four divine creatures along with the [[Korean dragon|dragon]], [[Fenghuang|phoenix]], and [[turtle]]. Girin were extensively used in Korean royal and Buddhist arts.

In modern Korean, the term "girin" is used for "[[giraffe]]".

=== Thailand ===
In Thailand, the qilin is known as "{{lang|th-latn|gilen|italics=no}}" ({{langx|th|กิเลน}}), and is a member of the pantheon of Thai [[Himavanta|Himapant]] forest mythical animals. It is most probable that the Gilen was introduced into the pantheon under the influence of the [[Tai Yai]] who came down from Southern China to settle in [[Siam]] in ancient times, and the legend was probably incorporated into the Himapant legends of Siam in this manner. The Gilen is a mixture of various animals which come from differing elemental environments, representing elemental magical forces present within each personified creature. Many of the Himapant animals actually represent gods and [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] of the Celestial Realms, and [[bodhisattva]]s, who manifest as personifications which represent the true nature of each creature deity through the symbolism of the various body parts amalgamated into the design of the Mythical creature.<ref name="Paetch Payatorn riding Gilen Himapant Lion">{{cite web | url=https://buddhistamulet.net | title=Taep Payatorn Riding Qilin Himapant Lion Hlang Yant – Nuea Pong Maha Sanaeh Luan – Ajarn Warut – Wat Pong Wonaram | publisher=Buddha Magic Multimedia & Publications | access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref>

In ''[[Phra Aphai Mani]]'', the masterpiece epic poem of [[Sunthorn Phu]], a renowned poet of the 18th century, there is a monster that is [[Sudsakorn]]'s steed, one of the main characters in the epic. This creature was called ''"Ma Nin Mangkorn"'' ({{langx|th|ม้านิลมังกร}}, "ceylonite dragon horse") and is depicted as having diamond fangs, ceylonite scales, and a birthmark on the tongue. It was a mixture of horse, dragon, deer antlers, fish scales, and [[Nāga#Other traditions|Phaya Nak]] tail, and has black sequins all over. Its appearance resembles a qilin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thairath.co.th/content/451280|title=ม้ามังกร|language=Thai|trans-title=Dragon horse|first=Gilen|last=Pralongchoeng|date=20 September 2014|accessdate=7 August 2021|work=Thai Rath}}</ref>

== Qilin Dance ==
The Qilin dance is traditionally performed by the [[Hakka people]].<ref name="wufu2">{{Cite web |title=The people of Wufu are prosperous and the auspicious beasts are coming─ Talking about the Hakka Kirin Dance |url=https://www.hkptu.org/ptunews/35118 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325113001/https://www.hkptu.org/ptunews/35118 |archive-date=2017-03-25}}</ref><ref name="wailing2">{{Cite journal |last=Lo |first=Wai Ling |date=1 June 2022 |title=Recreating Local Tradition: The Study of the Hang Hau Hakka Unicorn Dance in Hong Kong |journal=Asian Studies, the Twelfth International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS 12) |language=en |volume=1 |pages=401&ndash;406 |doi=10.5117/9789048557820/icas.2022.047 |isbn=9789048557820 |issn=2949-6721 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The Qilin is a mythical creature believed to symbolize good fortune, prosperity, and harmony,<ref name="qilin2">{{Cite web |title=What Is The Qilin Dance? |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/story/what-is-the-qilin-dance/NwWhBDC7xWTGKQ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Google Arts & Culture |language=en}}</ref> and performers wear ornate Qilin costumes with vibrant colors and intricate details to resemble the mythical creature.<ref name="qilin2" />

The Qilin costume features a single horn in the middle, with finned ridges lined with fur.<ref name="wufu2" /> The dance involves graceful and synchronized movements that mimic cats and tigers.<ref name="qilin2" /> The performance routine typically tells of a Qilin exiting its lair, playfully move round, and looking for vegetable to eat. After eating from the vegetable, it spits it out, and it also spits a jade book, before moving around and returning back to its lair.<ref name="wufu2" />

The dance is accompanied by music played on traditional Chinese instruments, including drums, flutes, and cymbals.<ref name="wailing2" /> Today, similar to the Chinese Lion and Dragon dances, the Qilin dance is commonly performed during important Chinese celebrations and festivals, such as [[Chinese New Year]] and weddings, it is also performed to preserve cultural traditions and enhance community cohesion.<ref name="wufu2" /><ref name="wailing2" />

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Kinesiskt lyckobådande fabeldjur med drakhuvud, hjortkropp med fjäll, oxsvans från cirka 1750 - Hallwylska museet - 95453.tif|Porcelain qilin with the head and scaly body of a dragon, tail of a lion and cloven hoofs like a deer, its body enveloped in sacred flames (Qing dynasty, {{Circa|1750}})
File:Qilin with Rider, c. 1800-1894.jpg|Qilin with rider (Qing dynasty, {{Circa|1800-1894}})
File:Grote schotel met een qilin Schotel met een qilin bij een rots tussen planten, AK-RBK-1965-88.jpg|Plate with a qilin in the center (Yuan dynasty, {{Circa|1350}})
File:MET DP227291.jpg|Embroidered qilin ''[[mandarin square|buzi]]'' (Qing dynasty, 19th century)
File:Restored Le-Nguyen Dynasty, 17th-19th Century (9735558859).jpg|Ceramic Kỳ lân statue (Later Lê or Nguyen dynasty, {{Circa|17th-19th century}})
File:Lion, ch’i-lin, and dragon set in floral sprays.jpg|Qilin, dragon and lion set in floral sprays (Ottoman empire, mid-16th century)
File:Simorgh und Qilin im Gulistan RAS 258, Fol. 82v.png|An illustration of qilin and [[simurgh]] in ''[[Gulistan (book)|Gulistan]]'' (1582)
File:MET LC-2016 243-004.jpg|Bronze qilin paperweight (Ming dynasty, {{Circa|15th century}})
File:Imperial Encyclopaedia - Animal Kingdom - pic151 - 麒麟圖.png|Qilin depicted in the ''[[Complete Classics Collection of Ancient China|Gujin Tushu Jicheng]]'' (Qing dynasty, {{Circa|1700-1725}})
File:焦秉贞画历朝贤后故事册1.png|[[Tai Si]] encountering a qilin, depicted in [[Jiao Bingzhen|Jiao Bingzhen's]] ''Virtuous Empresses and Empresses Dowager in Successive Dynasties'' (Qing dynasty, 18th century)
File:Queen Mother of the West Riding a Kirin by Kanō Kyūseki.JPG|''Queen Mother of the West Riding a Kirin,'' Kanō Kyūseki (Edo period, early 18th century)
File:MingQilinDragonFish.jpg|A qilin at the [[Ming tombs]] in the dragon, fish, and ox style (Ming dynasty, {{Circa|15th-17th century}})
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Chinese spiritual world concepts]]
* [[Chinthe]]
* [[Four Holy Beasts]]
* [[Kanglasha]]
* [[Longma]]
* [[Nian]]
* [[Nongshaba]]
* [[Pakhangba]]
* [[Pixiu]]
* [[Poubi Lai]]
* [[Questing Beast]]
* [[Serpopard]]
* [[Shaanxi Kylins]]
* [[Shisa]]
* [[Singha]]
* [[Sin-you]]
* [[Taoroinai]]
* [[Xiezhi]]
* [[Yali (Hindu Mythology)|Yali]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{commons-inline|Qilin}}

{{Chinese mythology}}
{{Japanese folklore long}}

[[Category:Chinese legendary creatures]]
[[Category:Four Holy Beasts]]
[[Category:Japanese legendary creatures]]
[[Category:Korean legendary creatures]]
[[Category:Mythological deer]]
[[Category:Unicorns]]