Tradition / Region: Ancient China
Alternate Names: —
Category: Omen beast / monstrous ape
The Myth
In the ancient text Classic of Mountains and Seas, it is said that in the Western Mountains there exists a strange beast called Zhu Yan. Its form is like that of a powerful ape, but its head is white and its feet are red. It possesses immense strength and an unsettling presence.
Zhu Yan does not wander without consequence. When it appears in the world, its coming is taken as a sign of catastrophe. The sighting of this beast foretells the outbreak of great war, bringing violence and upheaval wherever its presence is known. Thus, Zhu Yan is remembered not for deeds it performs, but for the disaster that follows in its wake.