麟
lín · unicorn / qilin💡 How to pronounce
l → like the 'l' in 'love'. ín → like 'in' with a rising tone.
📖 The Story
麟 is the qilin (麒麟) — a mythical creature that looks like a deer with a lion's head. The qilin is a symbol of good fortune, wisdom, and peace. Unlike the Western unicorn, which is often fierce, the qilin is gentle — it only appears when a wise ruler is in power or a great sage is born.
🎬 In Culture Today
In Chinese mythology, the qilin is one of the four sacred animals, along with the dragon, the phoenix, and the tortoise. When Confucius was born, a qilin appeared to announce his arrival.
📝 Example Sentences
麒麟是吉祥的象征。
The qilin is a symbol of good fortune.
麒麟只有在和平时代出现。
The qilin appears only in times of peace.