What are the six beasts?

The six beasts refer to Suan Ni, Aiyu, Xiezhi, Bullfighting and Xingshi.

Extended information:

Five spines and six beasts:

Refers to the highest form of Chinese architectural forms---an architectural form of veranda style architecture . The verandah-style building is also called the veranda roof or the Five Ridges Hall. That is, there are five ridges on the roof, one main ridge and four vertical ridges. There are dragon kisses at both ends of the main ridge, also called swallowing beasts. There are five squatting beasts arranged on the four vertical ridges. They are: Suan Ni, bullfighting, Xiezhi, phoenix, and Xiyu (also known as Aiyu), collectively known as "Five Spine and Six Beasts."

The Five Spine and Six Beasts in Ancient Buildings:

< p>Chinese traditional ancient buildings, especially large-scale buildings in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, often use ridge beasts on the main halls of palaces and temples.

There are two highest specifications for the roofs of ancient buildings. One is the verandah roof. The first is the top of the Xieshan Mountain; the top of the verandah has four ridges, while the top of the Xieshan Mountain has nine ridges. These little glazed beasts squat on the lowest ridge of the roof. People don’t know how to distinguish the level of the roof, so they take a general look at it. However, the ancient buildings are collectively called the Five Ridges, and these little beasts squatting on the eaves are easily discovered by people below, so they are collectively called the Six Beasts.

The six beasts refer to:

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From front to back, these six beasts are Suan Ni, Ayu, Xie Zhi, Bullfighting and Xingshi

Suan Ni:

Exceptionally powerful in ancient times. The monster is said to be able to eat tigers and leopards. It looks exactly like a lion. It has a thick mane on its head, so it is called "Pi Tou". It is very ferocious and means the leader of beasts. It is also the rumored Manjusri. The mythical beast under the Bodhisattva's seat.

Aiyu:

The mythical beast in the sea can make clouds and rain. Placing it on the eaves has the connotation of fire prevention and fire protection.

Haizhi:

An ancient monster similar to a lion. It has a horn on its head and looks like a unicorn. It has a loyal character and can distinguish the right and wrong in the world. It is the ancient god of lawsuits. One of them represents the uprightness, fairness and justice of the royal family.

Bullfighting:

It is a kind of dragon in legends, similar to Chi and Qiu; according to ancient books, it often appears. A ridged beast that hovers on the road or on the Golden Ao Yudong square to eliminate disasters

What it does:

It has a human body, a monkey face, and two wings. It holds a vajra pestle and can cast down evil spirits. ; Because it looks particularly like Lei Zhenzi in secular novels of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it is said that it was placed on the roof to prevent lightning strikes.