Introduction
Qiongqi is the most subversive mythical beast in Chinese culture, celebrated for its “supporting evil” symbolizing moral chaos. Often depicted as an ox-bodied, hedgehog-haired creature with wings, it serves as both a Four Fiend (四凶) from Shan Hai Jing (《山海经》) and an ancient metaphor for modern cyberbullying.
Origin
Qiongqi’s prototype first appeared in Shan Hai Jing·Western Mountain Classic (《山海经·西山经》), solidified in Shen Yi Jing (《神异经》). Legend states it was a son of Shao Hao (少昊), exiled for preferring villains over virtuous people. Warring States Han Feizi (《韩非子》) detailed its habit of “eating upright people during fights” (闻人斗则食直者), while Han Dynasty Records of the Grand Historian (《史记》) included it in the Four Fiends (四凶). Modern sociology views its image as reflecting collective unconscious moral relativism (道德相对主义).
Core Plot
Ethical Inversion:
- Shao Hao’s son degenerated into a beast due to moral distortion (价值观扭曲) (parallels modern cognitive dissonance theory (认知失调理论))
- Devoured upright individuals while protecting evildoers, symbolizing social injustice (社会不公)
Judicial Metaphor:
- Became a corruption warning symbol (司法腐败的警示符号), contrasting with justice beast Xiezhi (獬豸)
- Cross-cultural parallel with Greek Chiron (喀戎)
Modern Reinterpretation:
- Sociology uses “Qiongqi Effect” (穷奇效应) to explain online mob polarization
- Sci-fi depictions as virtual reality order disruptors (虚拟现实世界的秩序破坏者)
Relationships
- Shao Hao (少昊): Father, one of the Five Emperors (五帝)
- Four Fiends (四凶): Fellow beasts: Taotie (饕餮), Hundun (混沌), Taowu (梼杌)
- Yellow Emperor (黄帝): Attempted to civilize it through music
- Xiezhi (獬豸): Justice beast opposing Qiongqi
Literary Sources
- Shan Hai Jing·Western Mountain Classic (《山海经·西山经》, Pre-Qin): Earliest description
- Shen Yi Jing (《神异经》, Han Dynasty): Adds “ox-hedgehog” (牛身猬毛) imagery
- Records of the Grand Historian·Five Emperors (《史记·五帝本纪》, Western Han): Four Fiends inclusion
Folk Festivals & Customs
Qiongqi Nuo Festival (穷奇驱傩节, 24th day of the 12th lunar month)
- Jiangxi Nuo Culture Village (傩文化村) holds “Banish Qiongqi” rituals (逐穷奇仪式) with masked dancers
- Make “Qiongqi Zongzi” (穷奇粽) with black rice symbolizing moral pollution (道德污染)
Integrity Festival (正直节, Qingming Festival):
- Henan regions use Xiezhi-Qiongqi contrast paper-cuts (獬豸与穷奇对比剪纸) to promote honesty
Spiritual Significance
Qiongqi embodies eternal early warnings against moral inversion:
- Erosive effects of ethical confusion (是非混淆)
- Group psychology of value distortion (价值观扭曲)
- Artistic early warning of ethical crises
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