Chiyou

A monster with horns and a heavily armored head, sometimes a human body and sometimes an animal one, Chiyou ate sand and, as a blacksmith, was the inventor of war and armaments. He was a direct descendant of Shennong, the second of the socalled Three Augusts or legendary emperors of Chinese mythology (see Chinese entries). Chiyou was also a dancer and a jouster. The best-known story about him involves his fight with Huangdi (see Huangdi), also known as the Yellow Emperor. Huangdi's army was made up of various wild animals, Chiyou's of demons. In the battle the two principals used supernatural powers and the natural elements against each other and finally Chiyou was defeated and decapitated by the Winged Dragon. The struggle between Huangdi and Chiyou reflects the cyclical aspect of Chinese mythology. One virtue is overtaken by another until another emerges to take over the previous one. This process is an aspect of the yinyang of Chinese myth and philosophy (see Yinyang).