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Pixiu ( "PEA-show", scase=; ) is a hybrid creature. Pixiu are considered powerful protectors of the Soul, xian, and feng shui practitioners, and resemble strong, winged lions. A Pixiu is an earth and sea variation, particularly an influential and auspicious creature for wealth, and is said to have a voracious appetite exclusively for gold, silver, and jewels. Therefore, traditionally to the Chinese, Pixiu have always been regarded as auspicious creatures that possessed mystical powers capable of drawing from all directions, and according to the Chinese zodiac, it is especially helpful for those who are going through a bad year.
There are two types of Pixiu that are categorised by their . The one with two antlers is the female and is called a , and the one with one antler is the male and is called a Tiānlù.
Pixiu crave the smell of gold and silver and like to bring their masters money in their mouth. Statues of this creature are often used to attract wealth in feng shui.
Today, Pixiu are a popular design on jade pendants.
Xu Ke () describes the as resembling either tigers or bears and having ashen white furs, the being male and the female.; rough translation: "The pixiu look like tigers; some say they look like bears; their furs are coloured ashen white. People in Liaodong call them white . The male is called pi while the female is called xiu. That was why ancient people often mentioned them together.
Ancient Chinese descriptions, depictions and stone carvings of Pixiu from the Han dynasty (206 BC220 AD) show the male with a single antler and the female with two. As with the Fenghuang, the common image today represents a single gender with one antler (male). Pixiu have protruding eyes and sharp teeth. There is one ancient stone sculpture variation found with hooves, but all Pixiu have wings. Many have a bifurcated (split) tail that hangs low and downward that covers its rear, a representative metaphor that they hold gold inside their stomachs but will not let it out.
Imperial Pixiu used during the Qing dynasty developed the physical characteristic of a fatter, more rotund body, indicating a stomach that could be loaded with unlimited amounts of gold and all forms of wealth and good fortune.
Due to their similar appearances, Pixiu are often confused with stone lions and qilin, but they can easily be distinguished from those two animals by its pair of feathered wings with which it can fly between Heaven and Earth.
In the Eastern Han dynasty, pixiu were thought to be able to fly into the realm of immortals or xian by Daoists and a minority of Confucianists.
Another story describes the Pixiu as the well-behaved, youngest son of the Dragon King and was spoiled by its parents. One day, Pixiu played on the Dragon King's desk and accidentally broke a seal that represented the power of the Dragon King. The Dragon King became very angry and used magic to turn Pixiu into an animal. He then sealed his rectum and declared that from then on, Pixiu could only eat things representing wealth.
Pixiu have a reputation of being fierce creatures. The large fangs visible in their mouths are used to attack demons and evil spirits, draining their essence and converting it to wealth. Pixiu also guard against disease caused by these evil spirits. It is written that Pixiu patrol the Heavens to keep demons at bay and to protect their owners from all harm.
It was believed that the ferociously devoted Pixiu would always and constantly guard its master, even after he passed from this life onto the next world. It was also believed that Pixiu would help their masters ascend to heaven by flying them up to Heaven on their backs.
An annotation describes the female and male to have antlers like a deer, where the male () has one antler, and the female () two. In tribute to the legend of the ferocity and prowess of the Pixiu in battle, it became synonymous with the army in ancient China. The word , interpreted as meaning "fierce beast" and also "brave warrior", was used as a symbol on battle flags and banners.
Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty declared that the Pixiu, who obtained and guarded the Master's gold, would be forever known as the "Treasure of the Emperor". It is said the Emperor declared that only royal personage could possess a Pixiu and it was strictly forbidden for all others to own one, including officials. This law was kept through to the end of the Qing dynasty.
Statues of Pixiu are commonly found on the four corners of the roofs of houses, palaces and halls of the most important people such as the Chinese Emperor. The Pixiu sits behind the dragon, the phoenix, the winged horse, the seahorse, and other, similar creatures.
In ancient China, stone statues of Pixiu were also used as tomb guardians of Han dynasty emperors and other royal persons.
In DuckTales of 2017, Pixiu serves as a minor antagonist.
In American Born Chinese, Shiji Niangniang has a pet Pixiu that was turned into a dog, along with having his anus sealed, after he pooped in the Jade Emperor's pond.
In Fabulous Beasts (有兽焉 or You Shou Yan), one of the main characters in the show is a Pixiu by the name of Tianlu who has a twin brother named Bixie.
In the video game Overwatch, a Pixiu costume is available for the character Zenyatta.
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