Thao-Theih English I – Louise S. McGehee School 2005 Margaux & Rachel (“Early China”)

The Thao-Theih The Thao-Theih is a mythological creature of Chinese legend. The Thao-Theih is a large dog-like monster meant to symbolize gluttony and self- indulgence.

Thao-Theih Description The Thao- Theih started out as a monster with two bodies attached to one head and six legs. The shape its face took varies; sometimes it appeared as a dragon, a tiger or a person. It slightly resembled the monstrous dog Hercules killed in Greek myth. (“Brown, Rebecca”)

How the Thao-Thieh lost its body… The Thao-Thieh were known as The Gluttons because of their unceasing appetite for humans. They were eventually punished due to this habit by having their bodies taken from them. From then on, if any mortal was swallowed they would live if they managed to keep themselves from being cut by the Thao-Thieh’s teeth. The Thao-Thieh therefore never had any feeling of satisfaction after eating a meal.

Battle and Fighting Associations The Thao-Thieh were depicted on various daggers and weapons. For the enemy they symbolized fear and force. To its own tribe, the Thao-Thieh symbolized protection. Some of the time, a tribe would kill and even eat their enemy, so the gluttonous Thao-Thieh was an appropriate depiction to use on weapons. (“Zehou, Li”)

Art Associations The Thao-Thieh often appeared on bronze works during the Shang dynasty. It appeared on the lids of cauldrons, plates (to remind people not to be gluttonous) and ceremonial objects used in sacrificial ceremonies in which offerings were made to one’s ancestors. (“Greenhalg, Michael”)

Modern Day Outlook Due to the barbaric nature of the myth of the Thao-Theih it isn’t used in modern times as it was in the past. However, Thao-Theih artifacts are still desired because they give a representation of the Chinese past. (“Chinese Bronzes of the Shang and Western Zhou”)

Bibliography Almeida, Ivan. “The T’ao T’ieh.” Fantastic Zoology. 4 January Brown, Rebecca. “Asian Art Images.” History of Asian Art. 5 January “Chinese Bronzes of the Shang and the Western Zhou.” Marymount School. 5 January 2005.

Bibliography “Early China.” China. 23 July January Greenhalgh, Michael. “Introduction to the Arts of China.” Art and its Context. 5 January Saunders, Chas and Peter Ramsey. “Chinese Mythology: Taotie.” Gods from Chinese Mythology. 15 April Godchecker, Inc. 5 January Zehou, Li. “About the Taotie.” The Path of Beauty: A Study of Chinese Aesthetics. Ed. Gong Lizeng. Oxford University Press. 4 January 2005.