Legend of the Pi Xiu

Written by Master Rayden | 10 March 2010

It is a myth saying that the legendary Dragon has nine sons and each had a strong personality. There are no general agreement as to what the Dragon’s sons are called, however, all the cravings of these mythical creatures that can be found on ancient temples, relics and buildings. The names and description provided is one of the most commonly said names and descriptions of these mystical creatures:

1.	The first son is called Bi Xi (贔屭), is the most powerful and looks like a giant land turtle, normally carved on stone base of tablets. 赑屃(bi xi)：形似龟，好负重。一般在各地的宫殿、祠堂、陵墓中均可见到其背负石碑的样子。在龙子的各类说法中赑屃一般都排在九子之首

2.	The second son is called Li Wen (螭吻), looks like a beast, and is always found on the roof because it likes to look at all directions. 螭吻(li wen)：喜欢东张西望，经常被安排在建筑物的屋脊上，做张口吞脊状，并有一剑以固定之。

3.	The third son is called Pu Lao (蒲牢), looks like a small dragon, and likes music and also likes to roar - thus it is a common decoration found on the bridge of stringed Chinese musical instruments and bells or gongs. 蒲牢(pu lao)：有摇滚气质，爱好音乐，也爱吼叫。古代乐器编钟顶上就用它来装饰，寺庙大钟上的钟钮上也可见到他的身影。

4.	The fourth son is called Pi An (狴犴 pinyin bìàn), looks like a tiger, and is so powerful that it can be found in prisons. 狴犴(bi an)：掌管刑狱。常被装饰在死囚牢的门楣上，因其形状似虎，所以民间又有虎头牢的说法。

5.	The fifth son is called Tao Tie (饕餮), loves to eat, and is always found on ancient bronze. 饕餮(tao tie)：美食主义者，性贪吃。夏商时期出土的青铜器上经常可见饕餮纹，为有首无身的狰狞怪兽。

6.	The sixth son is called Suan Ni (狻猊), has the thinkings and values of Buddhism and likes places that are with incense smoke, thus it is frequently seen carved on the legs of incense burners. It is the celestial animal as seen ridden by Wen Shu Pu Sa. 狻猊(suan ni)：身有佛性，喜好香火，在香炉盖上可见。而且狻猊还是文殊菩萨的座骑。

7.	The seventh son is called yaizi (睚眥) has a violent nature and likes to kill. Often found carved on sword or knife hilts because of its violent nature. 睚眦(ya zi)：性情凶残易怒，喜欢争杀。民间成语“睚眦必报”所讲即为此物。通常在一些武器的柄上或是尾端的环上可以见其雕像，以加强杀气。

8.	The eighth son is called Jia Tu (椒图) and looks like a Snail Clam and has a mild nature. Normally found on ancient doors as a door knock and also to keep thieves away. 椒图(jia tu)：形似螺蚌，性情温顺自闭。所以将他安排在门上衔着门环，免得小偷光顾。

9.	The ninth son called Pi Xiu (貔貅) and has a big mouth to eat fortunes and wicked persons. It does not have an anus, so whatever it eats, it will not escape out. 貔貅(pi xiu)：在南方及东南亚一带都称其为龙的第九子，大嘴无肛，只进不出，专吃钱财和恶人心肝，乃姜子牙的坐骑，招财辟邪。其中在翡翠雕刻里面貔貅是最受欢迎的，广被民间流传，预示财源滚进。