Qilin (Chinese: 麒麟, Japanese: Kirin, Korean: Gilin), is a East Asian creature of chinese origin that is similar to a unicorn. They are one of the many East Asian creatures that feature a one-horned creature.
In Mythology[]
Qilins were first created in mythology when early Chinese sailors brought back giraffes from Emperor Zheng He's expedition in East Africa. They were often confused by giraffes due to both being herbivores, hoofed animals, and having a "horn".
Female Qilins were referred to as lin (麟) while males as qi (麒).
Qilins often are represented as a dragon-like creature, most notabily their heat, mane, scales, and tail. They are often shown with fire around their mane and hooves. Their horn resembles Chinese dragons, the most reconizable creature across the world. They also have carp-;like whiskers on their head. They mostly resemble a unicorn-like creature with the exception of it's dragon-like features.
Although they look like beasts that are fierce and vicious, they are actually creatures that punish the wicked and evil, and guard the good and innocent.
In other Cultures[]
In Japan, qilins are referred to as kirins, though their appearance is more based on deer rather than unicorns. They look very similar to qilins, both having dragon-like features, but biggest differences are not having carp-like whiskers and having a backward facing horn instead of a forward facing horn.
In Korea. qilins are referred to as gilins, their appearance is similar to that of horses.
In popular culture[]
The TV series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, in one episode, Sounds of Silence, introduces Kirins.
In the Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness TV series, the 25th episode of Season 2, Qilin Time, features an unnamed qilin.
In Fer.al, one of the avatars available from a Season Pass was a Kirin.