Kirin (Mythical Chimera) Standing on a Seal

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The kirin is considered a paragon of virtue. It has the head of a dragon, the body of a deer, legs and hooves similar to those of a horse, and the tail of a lion. Its single, distinctive horn links it to the unicorn.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art