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Carved Fish

January 1st, 2010 admin No comments

Carved Fish
A Chinese, mythical dragon/bird/fish?

I've come across a carved image in jade, I believe it's Chinese, possibly in origin due to the style frame it is in...only I've never seen or heard of a creature such as this: It rises from between rocks from what appears to be the sea. Two thirds of it's body--the lower portion--has a tail like a fish that curls up on either side and the lithe, finely scalled body of a fish...up until it reaches a pair of wings (looking something like a chicken's proportionately,) but the head is distinctly neither fish nor bird-like. It doesn't look like any dragon I've ever seen, Chinese or otherwise, but as it appears to be mythical in origin...maybe it is, I don't know. The only other details in the scene are intricately, raised leaves and vines. Does anyone know what such a creature might be? Any relevant info. greatly appreciated. Thanks : )

Chinese legends state that there are four mythical animals. The dragon, the Phoenix, the Turtle, and the mythical creature you saw is the fourth animal, the Qi Long. The four elements is also associated with them. Dragon=Air, Phoenix=fire, Turtle=Water, and the Qi Long=Earth. The Qi long is more of a horse, the idea of unicorn came from the Qi Long, although it isn't one at all.