Sunday 6 September 2009

Did you see what I see?

Caught these interesting cloud formation today at the pool when the sun was setting and hidden behind these clouds. Do your naked eyes see what I see?  Well, I see four kirins (qi lin 麒麟) running across the sky in succession.

Kirin is a mythical hooved Chinese creature known throughout various East Asian cultures, and is said to appear in conjunction with the arrival of a sage. It is a good omen that brings rui (瑞, roughly translated as "serenity" or "prosperity"). It is often depicted with what looks like fire all over its body.

Although it looks fearsome, the Qilin only punishes the wicked. It can walk on grass yet not trample the blades and it can also walk on water. Being a peaceful creature, its diet does not include flesh. It takes great care when it walks never to tread on any living thing, 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). It is normally gentle but can become fierce if a pure person is threatened by a sinner, spouting flames from its mouth and exercising other fearsome powers that vary from story to story. Some stories state that the Qilin is a sacred pet (or familiar) of the deities.

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