Taotie — Rare Earth guardian of Chinese Myth

Chinese Myth · Rare

Taotie

Guardian of the Middle Kingdom

Gift: Insatiable devourer; the guardian motif of bronze vessels

Per the Shan Hai Jing, goat-bodied with a human face, eyes in its armpits, tiger fangs and human claws, endlessly gluttonous. Shang-Zhou bronzes bear its face as a protective, intimidating motif.