Chi-Lin
/ˈtʃiː lɪn/noun
A mythical Chinese creature traditionally regarded as a benevolent omen of prosperity, peace, and the arrival of a wise ruler.
Did you know?In Chinese tradition, the qilin was often said to avoid harming even insects or blades of grass, making its power radically compassionate rather than violent.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Chinese
麒麟
“The name of a fabulous auspicious creature; the earliest historical forms are difficult to reconstruct with certainty.”
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese
麒麟
“Auspicious mythical animal, conventionally reconstructed approximately as *gij-lin or *ki-lin.”
17th Century
Mandarin
qílín
“A benevolent legendary creature associated with virtue, longevity, prosperity, and sagely rulers.”
19th Century
English
ch'i-lin
“Wade–Giles romanization used in English-language writing for the Chinese mythical animal.”
Modern English
English
chi-lin / qilin
“A Chinese auspicious beast, often loosely compared with a unicorn, though traditional descriptions may include deerlike, dragonlike, and bovine features.”