Tibetan Mastiff: Spirit Dog. Taotie and Divine Insect

Author: Xiao Bing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: The status, role, and anecdotes of the Tibetan mastiff in Chinese and even world history and culture are highlighted, as they once achieved great prominence. Legend has it that ancient Rome and Genghis Khan organized vast Tibetan mastiff legions of around ten thousand, known for their prowess in battle. To this day, European such as Mastiffs, Rottweilers, and Saint Bernards still carry the bloodline of the Tibetan mastiff. Cultural heroes of China and Southeast Asia, such as Chiyou, Panhu, and Barga, have all transformed into Tibetan mastiffs. The taotie pattern, commonly found on Shang and Zhou bronze artifacts, also draws its prototype from the Tibetan mastiff.
The "Illustrated Series of Cultural Curiosities" consists of three titles: Mermaid—Symbolizing sex, life, and death; Tibetan Mastiff—Spiritual dogs, the taotie, and divine insects; Butterfly Dream—Love, soul, resurrection, and aesthetics. All three are set against the backdrop of Chinese culture, spanning comparative studies between East and West to decipher ancient cultural mysteries. This is a popular ethnological readership meticulously crafted by the renowned cultural anthropologist, Professor Xiao Bing, for a broad audience.