Tradition: Chinese Mythology
Alternative Names: 馬絆蛇, 馬絆, Maban, Hooked Snake
Category: Rat
The Myth
Mǎbànshé, also known as Mǎbàn, is a dangerous aquatic creature from Chinese folklore, particularly associated with rivers in Sichuan and Yunnan. Recorded in the Taiping Guangji, it is described as a type of jiao, a dragon-like water creature. One account compares its body to a leech, while another describes a creature with a head resembling that of a cat or rat and a body marked with patches of white. It is said to inhabit a deep pool at the ancient city of Hanzhou and to attack people who venture near its waters.
Because Mǎbànshé was considered a threat to local communities, villagers reportedly sought brave individuals willing to confront and kill it. The name itself was said to be a regional Shu term for a jiao, reflecting the varied names given to dangerous aquatic beings in Chinese tradition.
Other accounts identify Mǎbànshé with the goushe, or Hooked Snake, another legendary aquatic creature. These differing descriptions suggest that the name may have referred to more than one kind of dangerous water monster, with its exact appearance and identity varying between sources.
Sources
“馬絆蛇 (Mǎ bàn shé).” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%A6%AC%E7%B5%86%E8%9B%87