General Discussion

So um, anyone ever heard of the qilin/gilen/kirin? Or at least the chinese unicorn?

It's kind of a mythology that varies across time and the particular area it's being discussed.
I was going through a how to draw dragons and other mythological creatures and kirins popped up, I got curious and began to poke around.

from what I've gathered they've a real life counterpart in giraffes, I've seen a couple sites stating an emperor brought giraffes to his area and convinced his people that they were the mythical animal.

Common trends in their designs are dragon heads, scales, antlers, hooves, deer or ox torso, and having and ox's tail.

Does anyone know about these guys? I want to learn more about them and am tempted to do a dragon design inspired by them.

@Roseblossom I've heard of them, but I'm not well versed in them. I think it would be a great idea to do a dragon based on them especially with Giraffe and Hex genes :)

! Stay here Ill be right back I literally JUST drew a picture of a Kirin EDIT: Back! [Url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/art/1860758][img] http://i.imgur.com/v6oCSMW.png[/img][/url] I just drew a picture of a Kirin after not doing so for years. Undel (Neondragon) has also drawn a qilin, which has been my inspiration for years. (Also a male pearly looks like a kirin) @Roseblossom

Yes, I have! When I was like 11/12, I even wrote a book series about one (except it was a demi-Kirin). I named the character Kirinia Taye. Though the writing style was amateuristic, it was amusing to read back on them. XD

I've only seen a reference to them thanks Monster Hunter

@Roseblossom

Most Qilin sculptures I see usually have the creature looking more dragon-like complete with scales and an oriental dragon head with horns. There's also variations that looks more deer than dragon depending on regional belief. These creatures are seen as divine and very wise, said to bring good luck and serenity.

The korean and japanese words for giraffe are 'girin' and 'kirin' too. ^^

@Roseblossom

I love Kirin, I prefer the deer type kirin though.
I also drew one once, but the scan is horrible xD
The original was so vibrant *sob*
https://www.kakao-karten.de/karten/247049?sort=benutzer
(Can't embed the pic, site won't let me)

wow I didn't expect this to actually generate much discussion XD

@Bitterblur
it would be rather funny and well matching

@Katalist

Oh my that's gorgeous! You're quite the artist! And actually, it was Undel's book and drawing that got me interested in the creatures in the first place.

@Aquarithyst
lol did you do any research on it or just write?

@GoldenBeetle
I've never played monster hunter but the game series seems interesting

@Dessy
I haven't seen many sculptures of them, so thank you for filling me in on that part! The rest I saw around when I was poking through the internet but it's nice to know others foudn the same things ^^

@SleepyDrago
It's very cute and I love the colors, even though I can't see them fully fledged thansk to your scanner

@ImaginationSoars

Go for it!