Qilin Legend
01 · Historical Records
The Qilin legend originated in Juye and Jiaxiang counties of Shandong and began with the story of the western hunt and the capture of the qilin in the Spring and Autumn period; for more than two thousand years it has been handed down among the people of south-western Shandong and continually enriched. Jiaxiang county takes its name from the legendary capture of the qilin by Duke Ai of Lu on a western hunt in the Spring and Autumn period, and the Qilin legend circulates there especially densely. The Qilin legend carries the people's hopes for good fortune and peace and has circulated for ages in south-western Shandong.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
The qilin is a divine animal of Chinese national legend, regarded as a benevolent beast and an auspicious omen and a symbol of national peace and prosperity, good fortune and harmony; the legends around it lodge the people's longing for an age of peace and a happy life. The image of the qilin fuses the features of the deer, ox and horse and is a fabulous animal created by the ancients; its legend has had a far-reaching influence in the Chinese cultural sphere.
Qilin Mountain Produces a Qilin
One of the Qilin legends current in the Jiaxiang area.
Confucius's Mother Dreams of a Qilin
One of the Qilin legends current in the Jiaxiang area.
Qilin Mountain
A local site connected with the Qilin legend.
The Qilin Appears
The local legend of the qilin appearing.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Besides the legends, the locality still has such related scenery as the Qilin Tomb, the Qilin-Capturing Terrace and Qilin Mountain; the Qilin legends The Ox Gives Birth to a Qilin, Qilin Mountain Produces a Qilin, Confucius's Mother Dreams of a Qilin, The Qilin Brings a Child and The Qilin Appears are current locally and are presented in many forms such as storytelling, poetry, narrative-singing, folk song and song-and-dance.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Qilin Legend.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
The auspicious meaning of the qilin's portents is widely recognised in Chinese folk tradition; as a fabulous animal created by the ancients the qilin is deeply lodged in people's hearts and its legend is sung without decline, embodying the profound thought of the unity of heaven and man and possessing high cultural research value. Today, as the old artists die one after another, the once widely sung qilin short pieces face the danger of being lost and urgently need protection. The Qilin legend has circulated for ages in south-western Shandong and is important material for studying folk belief and auspicious culture.
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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