Zangao: Spiritual Dogs and Divine Insects

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 it once achieved great fame. Legend has it that ancient Rome and Genghis Khan organized massive 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 on Cultural Curiosities" consists of three titles: The Mermaid—symbolizing sex, life, and death; The Tibetan Mastiff—featuring spiritual dogs, the taotie, and divine insects; and The Butterfly Dream—exploring love, soul, resurrection, and aesthetics. All are set against the backdrop of Chinese culture, conducting cross-cultural comparative studies to unravel ancient cultural mysteries. This is a popular reading material on folklore, meticulously crafted by the renowned cultural anthropologist, Professor Xiao Bing, for a broad audience.