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Invitation to the Monster World Three-legged Crow Wall Hanging China, Ming dynasty, 14th–15th century Silk
Griffin-shaped Hilt Excavated from the “Oxus Temple” Tajikistan, 5th–4th century BC Ivory National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan Legendary Monsters The griffin or gryphon—a creature with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion—was believed to have lived near the nomadic peoples of Central Asia and guarded over gold and treasures in Greek legend. From ancient times, depictions of this legendary creature could be found from the Mediterranean Sea to Central Asia. Perhaps the griffins were created from the imagination of those who saw the small dinosaur bones discovered in the desert near by the gold veins of Central Asia. Origin Myths and Imaginary Animals In ancient China, there were myths in which the ancestors were descended from birds and golden crows carried the sun and flew around in the sky. Later, the three-legged crow come to symbolize the sun.
Pot with Griffin Motif Balochistan, latter half of 4000 BC Earthenware Ancient Orient Museum, Tokyo
Sacred Horn At first glance, this creature may look like a regular cow. However, this mysterious bull has a sacred horn in the center of its head that resembles a qilin’s horn. The motif of birds and clouds on its body also give it a presence of mystique. Bull-shaped Weight China, Eastern Zhou dynasty, 4th–3rd century BC Bronze with silver inlay
The Monsters of the Gods
Sea Horse-shaped Decorative Plate (above) Sea Horse-shaped Decorative Plate (above) Excavated from the Oxus Temple Tajikistan, 2nd century BC Ivory National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan Sea Horse-shaped Decorative Plate (above)
Imaginary Creatures that Crossed the Seas
Rug with Animals in Medallions (detail) Iran, late 16th–early 17th century Wool and cotton This rug was made around the late sixteenth century in Eastern Iran. The motif captures a paradisal scene interwoven with dragons, phoenixes, and qilin (J., kirin), three of the four auspicious Chinese spirit animals, with many of them in combat—the dragon bites the phoenix, while the lion attacks the mythical qilin. In West Asia, however, such designs signify death and rebirth and are thus considered auspicious.
Greek sea monsters symbolized the power of nature and were mobilized by the sea gods to attack people or at times to help them. Eventually, these creatures came to be associated with the image of guides to Elysium, a paradise for the afterlife located in the western ocean at the end of the world. They have also been depicted as guides to enlightenment after death in Gandharan Buddhist art.
Relief Carving of Ketos (below)
Relief Carving of Ketos (below) Gandhara, 2nd–4th century Stone Ancient Orient Museum, Tokyo
Rug with Animals in Medallions (detail) Iran, late 16th–early 17th century Wool and cotton
Lecture, Imaginary Animals of Southeast Asia By Sergey Lapteff, Guest Researcher, MIHO Museum On Saturday, July 28, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. in South Lecture Hall Free with museum entrance


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