Xiaotian Quan
Relief of Erlang Shen and Xiaotian Quan. | |
| Creature information | |
|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Xiàotiān Quǎn, 哮天犬, or 嘯天犬 |
| Origin | |
| First attested | In Search of the Supernatural |
| Known for | attacking demons, protecting pet health |
| Country | China |
Xiaotian Quan (Chinese: 哮天犬 or 嘯天犬; pinyin: Xiàotiān Quǎn; lit. 'Howling/Barking Celestial Dog') is a Chinese mythological beast and companion of the Chinese god Erlang Shen. Depicted as a black dog, it assists Erlang Shen in battle by using its powerful bite and howl to attack, maul, or subdue demons. Xiaotian Quan appears in Journey to the West, Fengshen Yanyi, and other legends about Erlang Shen, such as Lotus Lantern and several Chinese folktales.