A Chinese Bestiary

These mythological creatures derive from the 4th to the 1st century BC in China. Obviously there have been numerous copyings made of images and passing on of details and relevant folklore via word of mouth down through history. These late 16th century renderings are the earliest known interpretations of the beliefs and animal Gods from ancient times. Despite the relative crudity of the woodblock illustrations, I'm struck by the seeming ubiquity of similar 'monsters' through many ancient cultures.

• The University of California Press eScholarships Editions have a complete copy of A Chinese Bestiary: Guideways Through Mountains and Seas online. (R Strassburg Ed./Translator. 2002)
• The Bestiary: A Book of Beasts.
• Wikipedia on bestiary.