How to Tell Xiezhi from Kylin

Both auspicious mythical creatures, xiezhi and kylin share many similarities including the scales on their bodies. However, as probably the most common mythical creatures you can see in the Forbidden City apart from dragons and feng birds, xiezhis and kylins are usually confused with each other. The pictures below will enable you to tell them apart easily.

Text and Translation by Madeline Photos and maps by Haolun

Name Card of Xiezhi

Symbol of justice

Purpose: detecting traitors Animal of Inspiration: Goat

獬豸名片

象征：公平正直

作用：司法兽

动物原型：羊

Tianyi Gate, the Imperial Garden御花园天一门

独角 Unicorn

单只珊瑚状犄角，如峥嵘的火焰，用于触顶奸臣。

Xiezhi only has one curved horn, which is usually on fire, and was pictured to deal with traitors.

Made in Ming Dynasty朝代：明朝

如何一眼分辨与麒麟

同是仁兽，同样身披鳞片——麒麟和獬豸作为故宫里除了龙、凤、狮以外最常见的神兽，却经常被混淆。实际上，有一个能让你一秒辨认出这二者的捷径——只需牢记：麒麟有两只角，而獬豸是独角兽。

Made in Qing Dynasty朝代：清朝乾隆年间