Tradition: Chinese Mythology
Alternative Names: 讹兽, E Shou,讹
Category: Rabbit
The Myth
E Shou is a supernatural creature from Chinese mythology recorded in the Shenyi Jing, in the section known as the Southwestern Wilderness. It has a human face and the body of a rabbit, and it is capable of speaking like a human. The creature is known for its deceitful nature, frequently reversing the truth by describing east as west and bad things as good.
Despite its dishonesty, E Shou is said to have delicious meat. However, anyone who eats it loses the ability to speak truthfully and becomes unable to tell the truth. The creature therefore embodies deception, presenting a curious contradiction between its appealing flesh and the lasting dishonesty it inflicts upon those who consume it.
Sources
“Skvader.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skvader