Chinese Cat Mythology

Xian Li

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Tradition / Region: Chinese mythology
Alternative names: Fairy Wildcat, Fairy Civet
Category: Cat

The Myth

The Xian Li is a wildcat spirit that, after cultivating its powers for a long time, gains supernatural abilities and transforms into a beautiful man or woman. Rather than referring to domestic cats, the ancient Chinese term li described small wild feline-like animals such as leopard cats, lynxes, or certain civets.

According to Chinese tradition, these wildcats could attain spiritual power through long cultivation. Once transformed into human form, they would seduce people in order to absorb their life essence. Like other shape-shifting spirits, they were believed to be eloquent, persuasive, and capable of both charming and harming humans.

The Xian Li belongs to a broader tradition of Chinese animal spirits that achieve supernatural powers through age and cultivation. Like the fox spirit, it could assume human form and interact freely with people, using its beauty and deception to accomplish its goals.

Sources

“仙狸 (Xiānlí).” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/仙狸

Zheng

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Tradition / Region: Chinese mythology
Alternative names: None known
Category: Cat

The Myth

The Zheng is a strange beast described as resembling a red leopard with five tails and a single horn. Its cry sounds like the striking of stone. It is said to inhabit Mount Zhang’e, a barren mountain devoid of vegetation but rich in jade and precious stones.

According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shan Hai Jing), the Zheng lives on Mount Zhang’e, located two hundred and eighty li to the west. The mountain is described as barren of plant life but abundant in jade and valuable stones. There dwells the Zheng, an extraordinary creature whose appearance and voice distinguish it from all other beasts. Its body resembles a red leopard, yet it possesses five tails, a single horn, and emits a sound like stone being struck. No further actions, powers, or legends are recorded in the source.

Sources

“狰 (Zhēng).” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/狰

Zhujian

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Tradition / Region: Chinese mythology
Alternative names: None known
Category: Cat

The Myth

The Zhujian is a bizarre creature with the body of a leopard, a long tail, a human head, the ears of an ox, and a single eye.

According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shan Hai Jing), specifically the Northern Mountains Classic, the Zhujian is simply described as a strange beast with these unusual features. It has the body of a leopard, an elongated tail, a human-like head with ox ears, and only one eye. No further legends, abilities, or deeds are recorded in the source.

Sources

“諸犍 (Zhūjiàn).” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/諸犍

Jinhua Cat

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Tradition / Region: Chinese Mythology
Alternative names: Jinhua Cat Demon, Cat Demon
Category: Cat

The Myth

The Jinhua Cat is a cat spirit said to arise when a cat has been kept for more than three years. According to tradition, it climbs onto rooftops at midnight and absorbs the essence of the moon. After repeatedly feeding on moonlight, it transforms into a powerful cat demon.

Once transformed, the Jinhua Cat preys upon humans by taking on human form. It appears as a handsome young man to women and as a beautiful woman to men, seducing its victims. Before entering a household, it urinates in the family’s drinking water. Anyone who drinks the contaminated water becomes bewitched, unable to perceive the demon’s true feline form, and gradually falls ill.

One famous tale tells of a young woman in Lin’an who was secretly visited by an extraordinarily handsome youth. He provided food and drink instantly and behaved like an ordinary person, yet no one else could see him. Sorcerers failed to drive him away until an old noodle seller recognized the visitor as a Jinhua Cat Demon and successfully exorcised it.

Chinese tradition also warned against keeping pure white cats in the Jinhua region, believing they could absorb moonlight, become spirits, and bring misfortune to their owners.

Sources

“金華貓 (Jinhua Cat).” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/金華貓