Taotie: The Mystery of Chinese Mythology’s Famous Glutton | Monstrum

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While its face is scarce in popular culture today, this influential ancient monster from Chinese mythology predates the written word. Inspired by ancient bronze and jade iconography detailing the face of a bulging-eyed, gapping-mouthed beast, the Taotie creature is both mysterious and notorious, inspiring fear with its horrible gluttony.

The greedy, insatiable appetite of the Taotie, one of the four “legendary monsters” or malevolences of Chinese mythology, is its defining trait—but why? Explore the many theories behind this beast as you dive into a mystery that has fascinated archeologists, historians, philosophers, and authors for thousands of years. #taotie #chinesemythology #MonstrumPBS

Written and Hosted by: Dr. Emily Zarka
Director: David Schulte
Executive Producer: Amanda Fox
Producer: Stephanie Noone
Illustrator: Samuel Allen
Editor: Ray Lux
Produced by Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios.

Dr. Zarka would like to sincerely thank Longwen Chen, M.D., Ph.D. for his aid with the Mandarin pronunciations in this episode (I tried to do them justice), and his knowledge regarding the Chinese mythological creatures discussed. Monstrum is better because of the generosity of people like you.

The world is full of monsters, myths, and legends and Monstrum isn’t afraid to take a closer look. The show, hosted by Emily Zarka, Ph.D., takes us on a journey to discover a new monster in each new episode. Monstrum looks at humans' unique drive to create and shape monster mythology through oral storytelling, literature, and film and digs deep into the history of those mythologies.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Albert, Dave. The Taotie Image in Chinese Art, Culture, and Cosmology. Createspace Independent Pub, 2014.

Allan, Sarah. Shape of the Turtle, The : Myth, Art, and Cosmos in Early China. SUNY Press, 1991.

Fu, Xiuyan. “The ante-narrative on bronze wares and the Chinese narrative tradition.” Neohelicon, 45 (2018): 191-212.

Glahn, Richard Von. The Sinister Way: The Divine and the Demonic in Chinese Religious Culture. University of California Press, 2004.

Kesner, Ladislav. “The Taotie Reconsidered: Meanings and Functions of the Shang Theriomorphic Imagery.” Artibus Asiae, vol. 51, no. 1/2, 1991, pp. 29–53.

Lewis, Mark Edward. The Flood Myths of Early China. State University of New York Press, 2006.

Lopes, Rui Oliveira. “Securing the Harmony between the High and Low: Power Animals and Symbols of Political Authority in Ancient Chinese Jades and Bronzes.” Asian Perspectives, vol. 53, no. 2, 2014, pp. 195-225.

Myhre, Karin. “Monsters Lift the Veil: Chinese Animal Hybrids and the Processes of Transformation.” The Ashgate Research Companion to Monsters and the Monstrous. Eds. Asa Simon Mittman and Peter J. Dendle. Routledge, 2013: pp. 217-36.

Strassberg, Richard E.. Chinese Bestiary, University of California Press, 2002.

Zuo Tradition / Zuozhuan: Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals, University of Washington Press, 2016.

[NewMessage]

* slowly looks around, then puts the bag of Oreos under the desk *

[turtleforge]

Tao Tie takes "cry on my shoulder" to a whole 'nother level

[nkyfong]

Oh, the monsters in the Great Wall movie actually exists. My ancestors most likely are slapping their foreheads at my ignorance.

[derekyonkers]

Ah, the three most wicked creatures: the Tao tie, Tao wu, and Matt Damon’s man bun

[steevemartial]

Chinese folklore is so underrepresented in Western culture. Thank you for bringing some of it to us in this video.

[more]

The eyes on its shoulders are so wild.

[EliasTressa]

I though the creature was just made up for the movie “The Great Wall”

[顏烈民]

omg as a Chinese art history student, I’m proud!!!! 🥲 thx thx thx Monstrum and super good job 👏🏻

[vincentx]

Fun fact, in Chinese, foodies are often called 老饕 or old tao since the Song dynasty, with the second character as a reference to taotie

[fandomonium]

I'd really love to see a video on fairies, as there seems to be a recurring theme of them being recontextualized from the old gods. Whether that be the Tuatha de Danann of Irish mythology becoming the Aos Si, or fairytales like Sleeping Beauty turning Venus, Themis, and Lucenia into wise women and fairies in later iterations of the story. The recurring theme of old pagan gods turning into fairies would be a really fascinating topic to explore.

[Hallows]

Are the Four Evils counterparts to the Four Heavenly Creatures (Tortoise, Dragon, Feng Huang, and Tiger/Qi’Lin)?

[levim]

You know what I’d LOVE to see? The Kushtaka, from Native Alaskan Tlingit folklore, it’s part human part otter, and I’d love to see more Native American monsters in general

[TheBloodswordsman]

Being a former Yugioh player my mind immediately went to Taotie, Shadow of the Yang Zing.

[jo_]

Saw thumbnail and thought "T-Rex?"
Saw title: "Taotie: The Mystery of CHINESE Mythology’s Famous Glutton"

Me as a Chinese: Shoot. I don't know what's a Taotie.

[Imperiused]

Oh man, Hun Dun, or the Dijiang, is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE god/monster from the Guideways Through Mountains and Seas. This is what the text has to say about it: "There is a god here whose form resembles a yellow sack with a red aura like cinnabar. He has six legs and four wings and exists in a state of confusion with no face or eyes. He knows how to sing and dance for he is, in fact, Dijiang." Isn't it absolutely adorable!?

[thegreatmajora]

"As for their motivation...
- what do they want ?"
*video cuts to a pet food ad*

[Katzztar]

"we may roll our eyes at the man-bun" ... I'm 50 grew up in the 70s when only men with long hair were either aging hippies or rock'n'roll rebels, but I still don't get modern day hate on the man-bun. Men deserve to have long hair and want to put it up now and then.

[toca-thatonecrazyaunt]

You NEVER disappoint! Had never heard of this monster but I LOVE learning their cultural history and significances! Thank you!

[ryanhand]

The only series on YouTube I ALWAYS watch. I learn so much.

[MultiGamingStuff]

This monster reminds me of Envy's monstorous form in Full Metal Alchemist.