Divine and Auspicious Beasts

A legendary Chinese divine beast that appeared before the Yellow Emperor and recited the names and natures of all supernatural beings in existence — the original encyclopedia of monsters.

The undying divine bird of East Asian tradition, whose appearance heralds a virtuous reign — it perches only in the paulownia tree, drinks only pure water, and eats only bamboo fruit.

The supreme auspicious beast of East Asian tradition — a chimeric creature with a dragon's scales and a deer's grace that heralds the reign of a virtuous ruler.

The sacred water-dragon of Japan — a fusion of imported Chinese dragon lore and indigenous serpent deity worship that became the guardian of seas, rivers, and rain.

The three-legged sacred crow that guided Japan's legendary first emperor through the wilderness — a solar deity's messenger and the divine symbol of guidance, now emblazoned on Japan's national football team.