Fēishǔ

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Tradition: Chinese Mythology
Alternative Names: 飞鼠, Flying Rat, Flying Mouse
Category: Rat

The Myth

Fēishǔ is a legendary flying beast recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. It is described as resembling a rabbit, but with the head of a rat, and possessing the ability to fly using its back.

According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas, the Fēishǔ lives in the Tianchi Mountains. Later commentary in the Shanhaijing Buzhu also associates it with the Yao’an and Menghua regions of Yunnan. Its identity has sometimes been linked to flying squirrels or bats.

The creature was also believed to be useful as food. Traditional accounts claim that its flesh could be eaten and used as a remedy for difficult childbirth.

Sources

“飞鼠 (Fēishǔ).” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%A3%9E%E9%BC%A0_(%E5%A6%96%E6%80%AA)

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