As promised this week, I’m going to introduce the 4 Qilin clans. Unlike the Long or the Fenghuang, the Qilin do not have separate tribes within their social structure, but have clans that do certain duties within the tribe as a whole. Also, because the Qilin have clans instead of regional tribes, their clans are much more diverse than the Long and Fenghuang tribes. Each clan has Qilin that practice a mix of beliefs and have mixed Han and non-Han cultures. (For example, some Qilin are known to cater to multiple gods and religions, as well as their practitioners.) This isn’t a mythological introduction to Qilin, for that go here. The clans are named after different animals and traits they possess. Let’s get started!

Longma (龍馬) Clan (Also called the Scaled/Scaly Clan)- This clan of Qilin are responsible for most if not all of the high-ranking leadership positions. They are the Qilin sent to the mortal realm to act as messengers and omens. This specific clan reports directly to the Jade Emperor and Xi-Wangmu, and they exist as emissaries that also serve the mortal emperor. Culturally and appearance-wise, this clan is the most assimilated with traditional Han culture, but many hold non-Han traditions and customs.

Deer (鹿) Clan (Also called the Antler Clan)- These Qilin are the most pacifistic of the clans and are known for being in charge of healing and medicine. It is said that some of the Qilin in the Deer Clan have mastered the art of making the potion of immortality. Culturally, this clan practices a mix of Han cultures (Hakka, Hoklo, etc.) but has been known to have those that assimilated with cultures to the west such as Tibetan or Uyghur culture and practices.

Tiger (虎) Clan (Also called the Striped Clan)- The Qilin in the Tiger Clan are known for being skilled in martial arts as well as the mystic arts that go with their practice. At the same time, the Tiger Clan also has the reputation for being the best warriors out of the whole tribe. Generally, these Qilin are the ones sent to punish mortals for injustice. This clan mainly identifies with traditional Manchu cultural practices, but they also are close with Han traditions and customs, particularly those of the people who would later become the Hakka.

Giraffe (長頸) Clan (Literally “Long-Necked” Clan)- These Qilin, as their name would suggest, are known to be the most eccentric of the bunch. They are known for being very skilled in the arts and music, but are also skilled scholars and ambassadors since they usually possess a spirit for adventure. They are the smallest clan out of the four and the Giraffe clan was specifically formed by Qilin who broke off from the other three clans to pursue their own interests. This is also the most diverse clan out of the three, as they practice and identify with cultures from everywhere in what is known as China today.

That’s all for this week, sorry it’s so short! Next week I’ll be giving a huge in-depth look at the Si Ling mansion and compound. I’ll be covering it’s architecture, design elements, and the reason for why it was built the way it was. See you next week!