Tradition / Region: Chinese Mythology
Alternative names: Zibai
Category: Horse
The Myth
The Bo is a legendary beast recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. It resembles a white horse with a black tail, a single horn on its head, tiger-like teeth, and sharp claws on all four feet. Its cry is said to sound like the beating of a drum.
Despite its horse-like appearance, the Bo is a fierce predator that hunts and devours tigers and leopards. Because of its extraordinary strength and fearsome nature, it was believed to possess the power to protect people from armies.
The Classic of Mountains and Seas places the creature on Mount Zhongqu, where it dwells among deposits of jade, gold, realgar, and white jade. Another passage also describes a similar white horse-like beast with saw-like teeth that preys upon tigers and leopards.
The Yi Zhou Shu refers to the same creature under the name Zibai, describing it as a white horse-like animal with saw-like teeth that feeds on tigers and leopards.
According to later folklore, the horn of the Bo resembled that of a rhinoceros and was believed to possess medicinal properties, particularly the ability to neutralize poison and cure illness.
Sources
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). 駮. In 维基百科，自由的百科全书. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%A7%AE