Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Birds and Beasts, Volume Three

The Xiezhi

original: "獬豸" (Xièzhì). The Xiezhi is a legendary "righteous beast" in East Asian mythology. It is famously known as the "justice beast" because of its innate ability to distinguish between truth and lies, and between the innocent and the guilty.

This illustration is a quintessential woodcut from the Ming dynasty. It depicts the Xiezhi as a creature with a scaly body, lion-like paws, and a head resembling a dragon. It is shown standing on a rocky outcrop beneath a leafy tree, surrounded by stylized clouds that emphasize its supernatural nature.

The Xiezhi is traditionally described as a "law-abiding beast" original: "任法獸" (renfashou). It is characterized by its single horn, which it uses to strike those who are in the wrong. In historical Chinese culture, this creature was highly revered by officials; its image was often embroidered on the "patch" of a judge's or censor's official robes to symbolize their commitment to impartiality and the discovery of the truth.

When the Xiezhi sees two people fighting, it will use its horn to gore the one who is unjust. When it hears people arguing, it will bite the one who is dishonest. Because of its legendary discernment, it has remained a symbol of the law for centuries.