The Qilin ([tɕʰǐ.lǐn]; Chinese: 麒麟) is a mythical hooved chimerical creature that appears in Chinese mythology, and is said to appear with the imminent arrival or passing of a sage or illustrious ruler. Qilin are a specific type of the lin mythological family of one-horned beasts (however, they may sometimes be depicted with 2 horns). Appearance wise, Qilins appear with Dragon heads and scales (or carp scales), and a horse-like body, similar to a Longma but are often depicted with flames on parts of it's body (often to represent its power of self-combustion). These creatures are generally peaceful. Qilins would influence into Japanese Kirin and Korean Girin. Regardless, they all represent the same creature. "Qi" refer to the males and "Lin" refer to the females.
Qilins have been used in modern heraldry. One is seen as part of the coat arms for Captain Benjamin Lee while 2 appear as supporters in the heraldic symbol for John Chew Mean Mah. A Sea-Qilin (upper half of a Qilin and lower half of a fish tail) appears as one of the supporters in the heraldry symbol for Philip Sui Lun Lee (or referred to as just Philip S. Lee).