Ky Lan : The Vietnamese Unicorn

Ky Lan

Introduction

The Ky Lan is an animal-like creature that has various animal characteristics. At first, it was believed that it was a wolf, but in reality it has features of various other animals such as a dragon, a lion, deer, dragon, giraffe and a hyena. It is seen as a symbol of luck, prestige and intelligence by the local Vietnamese people and believed to appear on special occasions.

The Ky Lan is quite similar to the Chinese mythical creature the Qilin and is said to be inspired by it and brought to Vietnam by traders and wandering hermits. In Vietnamese mythology, the Ky Lan is said to be part of the four benevolent animals – Long (Dragon), Quy (Turtle) and Phượng Hoàng (Pheonix).

Similar one horned hybrid creatures are also present across Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Thai mythologies.

Physical Traits

Unsurprisingly the unicorn’s appearance can vary depending on the region where the stories come from and they are often represented as a hybrid-creature comprised of a multitude of other animals. Version 1: The feet and horn of a deer, the ears of a dog, the forehead of a camel, the eyes of an eagle, the nose of a lion, the mouth of a crocodile, the body of a horse, and the tail of a bull.

Version 2:  a musk deer with huge horns, a tiger’s mouth, a catfish’s moustache, fishlike fins on its body, and a bull’s rail and hooves.

Version 3: The head of a dragon and the body of horse.

Other Names

Ky Lan is also known as Qilin in China, Kirin in Japan, Girin in Korea and Gilen in Thailand.

Powers and Abilities

It is believed that the Ky Lan is an animal that brings luck, happiness, and longevity. It is also known to be kind and gentle and will not step on grass or on insects. It is also believed that the Ky Lan will never drink dirty water.

The appearance of the Ky Lan is supposed to bring good luck, prosperity and good fortune. Carvings of the creature can be found at the entrances to palaces, temples and pagoda as it is considered to have the power to protect these structures from bad spirits.

Modern Day Influence

The Lion Dance which is performed at the Vietnamese festivals like the Lunar New Year and the Mid Autumn festival is dedicated to the Ky Lan. Although many Asian countries have the Lion Dance as part of its traditions, the Vietnamese version is quite different. It is actually known as the Unicorn Dance where Ong Dia (the Earth God) comes down to earth to dance with the unicorns. These traditions are still alive even today and celebrated with much fanfare.