The Qilin’s Blessing

the benevolent Qilin/Kirin/麒麟 is said to resemble a deer with a single antler, the scales of a fish or snake, an ox tail, and sometimes a horse’s legs or a dragon’s face or a lion’s body. Giraffes came to East Asia in the 15th century and became associated with the legendary creature, whose rare presence is said to herald the birth of a sage or an era of peace and prosperity.