The Five Spirit Beasts (오령) were beings that was said to be born from the energy of sacred nature and symbolize its purity.
History[]
In the beginning, there was a book that mentioned legends from distant past, and one of these stories were the Five Spirit Beasts of nature: the Dragon (Yinglong), Qilin, Great Peng, Dragon Turtle etc. However, the five spirit beasts discussed in the Moral Sutras of Heaven were different and was described vividly. The five spirit beasts first appeared in Jianghu during the days of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.
Spirit beasts weren’t usually found, but when one does appear, it only happens when an era passes. While ferocious spirit beasts such as the Dragon Turtle and the Flame Qilin slaughter humans, most spirit beasts focus on accumulating spiritual power because their purpose is to ascend back to the heavenly realm[1]. The Spirit Beasts were said to be born from the sacred nature and when one of the five Spirit Beasts disappears or is killed, a new one will emerge. Their existence endures as their will is passed down, much like how a human passes on their will to their children or disciples. The Spirit Beasts are said to be a symbol of purity in nature and thus stopped appearing after the purity in the air diminished.
Spirit Beasts[]
- Great Peng, Kun Peng: also known as Garuda is the holder of the Ice Element and stay in the North where the climate is cold. It is a huge bird with humongous wings and is known to turn into a large fish.
- Dragon[2]: also known as the Imoogi is the leader of the Five Spirit Beasts and holders of the Earth Element. It has beautiful pearl white scales, yellow eyes and horns that would grow when it is about to ascend. When it becomes a Fallen Spirit Beast, its scales turned black, and its eyes turn red. It is the head among the five and its energy has the ability to devour energies from others[3].
- White Tiger: or the Feng Bo he holders of the Wind element and stay hidden most of their lives. It has white fur with black stripes and blue eyes. When it becomes a Fallen Spirit Beast, its fur becomes jet black, and its eyes turn red.
- Flame Qilin: The holders of the Fire Element and are known to slaughter humans and cause destruction
- Dragon Turtle: The holders of the Thunder Element and are known to slaughter humans and cause destruction
Fallen Spirit Beasts[]
There are Spirit Beasts who had failed to ascend to the Heavenly Realm. Their spiritual energy would transform into Demon Energy that wanted to destroy all things. This energy comes from the rage and hatred of the Beasts that couldn’t ascend to the Heavenly Realm. Demon Energy is the opposite of spiritual energy, being able to destroy immortality and stop regeneration.