Qilin Yokai

**Qilin Yokai** are chimerical creatures from Asian folklore who have been described in different ways.

## Physical Appearance

Qilin Yokai can have different appearances depending on where they live. Some think of them as a rare form of unicorn; others have described it as a creature that has the head of a dragon and a body of tiger with scales. Others see it as a creature with a single horn on its forehead, a multicolored back, the hooves of a horse, the body of a deer, and with the tail of an ox.

## Description

Qilin Yokai has different appearances in the China, Korea and Japan Regions of the Hidden Cities. In China, depictions of the Qilin show a creature with the head of a dragon, the antlers of a deer, the skin and scales of a fish, the hooves of an ox and tail of a lion. In Korea, they're named Kirin Yokai and they're described as a maned creature with the torso of a deer, an ox tail with the hooves of a horse. Though some can have a more deer-like appearance. In Japan, Kirin Yokai are more deer-like than in Chinese art. Alternatively, it is depicted as a dragon shaped like a deer, but with an ox's tail instead of a lion's tail. They are also often portrayed as partially unicorn-like in appearance, but with a backwards curving horn.

## Abilities

Here are the abilities that Qilin Yokai can have in their arsenal:

* Air Walking
* Blessing Inducement
* Enhanced Bite
* Enhanced Condition
	+ Enhanced Senses
	+ Enhanced Speed
	+ Enhanced Strength
* Fire Aura
* Fire Breath
* Flight
* Guardianship
* Horn Protrusion/Antler Protrusion
* Luck Bestowal
* Morality Viewing
* Peace Empowerment
* Serenity Inducement
* Water Walking

Granblue Fantasy Version

* Quasar
* Positron Ray
* Delta
* Van de Graaff
* Magna Conatus
* Super Rotation

### Variations

* Monetary Manipulation
* Scale Manifestation
* Smoke Generation

### Associations

* Chinese Deity Physiology
* Dragon Physiology
* Four Symbols Physiology - In Vietnamese mythology, the Qilin is one of the four divine creatures along with the dragon, phoenix, and turtle.
* Longma Physiology
* Shinto Deity Physiology
* Unicorn Physiology

## Pop Culture

There are variations in the appearance of the qilin, even in historical China, owing to cultural differences between dynasties and regions.

**China**

* During the *Jin Dynasty*, the Qilin is depicted as wreathed in flame and smoke, with a dragon-like head, scales, and the body of a powerful hooved beast such as a horse.
* In the *Ming Dynasty* (1368–1644), the Qilin is represented as an oxen-hoofed animal with a dragon-like head surmounted by a pair of horns and flame-like head ornaments.
* The Qilin of China's subsequent Manchu *Qing Dynasty* (1644–1911) is a fanciful animal. Depictions of the Qilin show a creature with the head of a dragon, the antlers of a deer, the skin and scales of a fish, the hooves of an ox and tail of a lion.

**Korea**

* Kirin is the Korean pronunciation of the Qilin. It is described as a maned creature with the torso of a deer, an ox tail with the hooves of a horse. The Qilin in Korean art were initially depicted as more deer-like, however over time they have transformed into more horse-like.

**Japan**

* The Qilin is called Kirin in Japanese, which has also come to be used in the modern Japanese word for a giraffe. The Japanese art tends to depict the Qilin 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 instead of a lion's tail. They are also often portrayed as partially unicorn-like in appearance, but with a backwards curving horn.

## Variations

### Unicorn Yokai

It is sometimes misleadingly called the "Chinese unicorn" due to conflation with the unicorn by Westerners.

### Dragon Yokai

Some depicts the Qilin as having physical traits of the dragon such as the head and horns of the dragon.

### Chimera Yokai

Qilin are a type of chimera as they have many different parts from different animals including horses and deer.

### Longma Yokai

Like Longma, Qilin are part of Asian folklore as well as being a hoofed creature.

## Life in the Hidden World

Although it looks fearsome, the Qilin Yokai only punishes the wicked. It can walk on grass yet not trample the blades, and it can also walk on water. As it is a peaceful creature, its diet does not include flesh. It takes great care when it walks never to harm or tread on any living thing, and it is said to appear only in areas ruled by a wise and benevolent leader (some say even if this area is only a house). It is normally gentle but can become fierce if a pure person is threatened by a sinner, spouting flames from its mouth and exercising other fearsome powers that vary from story to story.

## Symbolism

Qilin are thought to be a symbol of luck, good omens, protection, prosperity, success and longevity by the Chinese. Qilin are also a symbol of fertility, and often depicted as bringing a baby to a family. Some stories state that qilin are sacred pets (or familiars) of the deities.