pixime on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/pixime/art/The-Qilin-345531424pixime

Deviation Actions

pixime's avatar

The Qilin

By
Published:
2K Views

Description

Wiki-time;

'In legend, the Qilin became tiger-like after their disappearance in real life and become a stylised representation of the giraffe in Ming Dynasty. The identification of the Qilin with giraffes began after Zheng He's voyage to East Africa (landing, among other places, in modern-day Somalia). The Ming Dynasty bought Giraffes from the Somali merchants along with Zebras, incense and other various exotic animals. Zheng He's fleet brought back two giraffes to Nanjing, and they were referred to as "Qilins". The Emperor proclaimed the giraffes magical creatures, whose capture signalled the greatness of his power.'

'The identification between the Qilin and the giraffe is supported by some attributes of the Qilin, including its vegetarian and quiet nature. Its reputed ability to "walk on grass without disturbing it" may be related to the giraffe's long, thin legs. Also the Qilin is described as having antlers like a deer and scales like a dragon or fish; since the giraffe has horn-like "ossicones" on its head and a tessellated coat pattern that looks like scales it is easy to draw an analogy between the two creatures. The identification of Qilin with giraffes has had lasting influence; even today, the giraffe is called kirin (기린) by the Koreans and kirin (キリン) by the Japanese.'

'...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).'

'Legends tell that the Qilin has appeared in the garden of the legendary Huangdi'

This idea of a Qilin really inspired me. I like that a real animal can represent a mythical creature. 'It is often depicted with what looks like fire all over its body.' Which is why I gave it a glowy effect. That, I feel, could be mistaken for fire to ancient peoples, while keeping in mind that some 'stories state that the Qilin is a sacred pet (or familiar) of the deities'.




Giraffe- :icondappledstock: [link]
Face- :iconstockdunnproper: [link]
Bearded dragon- :icondagwanoenyent-stock: [link]
Deer horns- :iconqiwi-stock: [link]
Lion Tail- :iconpiratelotus-stock: [link]
BG- :icontogistock: [link]
Image size
1200x1482px 1.12 MB
Make
OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
Model
u820,S820
Shutter Speed
1/160 second
Aperture
F/5.0
Focal Length
32 mm
ISO Speed
64
Date Taken
Jul 4, 2009, 1:49:09 AM
© 2012 - 2024 pixime
Comments2
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
PirateLotus-Stock's avatar
Very cool ^.^ Great job!