Tradition / Region: Chinese Mythology
Alternate Names: Shan Zi
Category: Dog
The Myth
In ancient Chinese legend there is mention of a strange creature known as Shan.
It was described as a dog with the face of a human. When it encountered people, it was said to smile, an unsettling expression that marked it as something unnatural. The creature moved with great speed, running like the wind itself.
Its appearance was not considered fortunate. Wherever Shan was seen, it was believed that strong winds or destructive storms would soon follow. Because of this, its presence was taken as a sign that a wind disaster was near.
Thus Shan was remembered as a swift, human-faced dog of ill omen, whose smile foretold the coming of violent winds.
Gallery
Sources
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). 山𤟤. In Wikipedia, from https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B1%B1%F0%A4%9F%A4
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