Tradition / Region: Chinese Mythology
Alternate Names: Disaster-Fighting Beast, Scourge beast
Category: Dog
The Myth
In ancient Chinese lore there is mention of a strange and dangerous animal known as the Huodou.
It was said to live in a distant southern land near the dark mountains. In that country, people were believed to withstand fire and even eat burning charcoal. Among them lived a creature that also fed on fire. This beast was described as black in color and shaped somewhat like a dog.
The creature’s nature was considered deeply ominous. Though it could consume flames, it was also said to breathe fire itself, spreading destruction wherever it went. Because of this, it was taken as a sign of disaster.
A later tale tells of a young man named Wu Kan, who lived alone until he discovered a mysterious white snail. When he brought it home, the snail transformed into a beautiful woman who became his wife and helped him with his household.
The local magistrate grew jealous and sought to cause them trouble. He demanded that Wu Kan bring him strange and dangerous things. Each time, the wife managed to provide what was asked. At last, the magistrate demanded a Scourge Beast.
The woman obtained a creature shaped like a dog and gave it to her husband to deliver. The beast consumed fire, but what it expelled afterward was also fire. Soon after it was brought to the magistrate’s house, flames spread from it and the building burned completely to ashes.
After this, Wu Kan and his wife disappeared, and nothing more was known of them.
Thus the Scourge Beast was remembered as a black, dog-like creature tied to fire and destruction — a being that could swallow flames yet also bring ruin wherever it appeared.
Gallery
Sources
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). 禍斗. In Wikipedia, from https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%A6%8D%E6%96%97
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