The Tiger

original: 虎 (hǔ)

The entry begins with a high-quality woodblock illustration depicting a tiger in a crouching position. Its stripes are rendered with great detail, and its expression is remarkably human-like and fierce—a common trait in Qing dynasty natural history illustrations which sought to convey the "spirit" or "essence" of the animal rather than just anatomical accuracy.

In the traditional Chinese cosmic order, the tiger is regarded as the "King of all Land Animals." While the dragon rules the waters and the sky, the tiger dominates the mountains and forests. It is associated with the element of wood and is believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits.