遠古時代，人們對於地動山搖、雷火旱澇等天災無力抵禦，先民們為了尋求精神的支持、心靈的鼓舞和勝利的信念，只能透過自己的想像力，塑造出「各司其職、各剋其物」的神靈，期以寄託於超自然界的冥冥神力，得到生存的保障，並為他們消災解厄，求得心靈的撫慰。由於猛獸在原始人類心中，被認為擁有不可企及的神力與本領；初民們在疑慮且敬畏的心態下，產生了「動物崇拜」的心理；之後更將所崇拜的動物，神化為神靈加以膜拜，相信這「動物神靈」能以其神力庇護他們，對抗天災、抵抗猛獸和敵人，並深信這隻神獸能為他們辟邪擋災且趨吉避凶，貔貅的形象就此誕生。貔貅是猛獸與瑞獸之形加以整合；集多種動物特徵於一身，其外貌已非現實生活中的動物形象，而是在各個時期，被塑造成符合當時人們理想意願的神獸。在古代，人們基於生存需要，貔貅曾被賦予驅邪辟凶的功能；而流傳至今的貔貅，人們更深信它在生活上具有招財、祈福、鎮宅、化煞等功能；所以貔貅是融合了中國固有的祥瑞思想與造物觀念，而成為祈求天賜福祿、辟邪禳災的神獸。貔貅的形象以龍頭為特徵，以獅、虎為主體，陸續增加了翼獸和角獸的特徵，使貔貅外型更具神獸的力量與特質，成就了人們心中的期望。在今日百姓的心中，貔貅除了驅邪禳災之外，「招財聚寶，只進不出」的神性更滿足世人所望，在輾轉相傳的民間傳說與故事中，都可以一一得到印證。In ancient times, the mankind had no means to deal with natural disasters like earthquake, thunderstorm, drought or flood that one could only create deities with “specific accountability and overcoming” through imaginations in order to gain mental support, spiritual inspiration and courage of victory, hoping that the super-natural powers could secure their lives by avoiding the catastrophes. Primitive peoples supposed the fierce beasts possess mystical power and ability that “animal adoration” was developed as a result of worry and reverence. People further deified the animals and started worshipping, hoping that the “animal deities” could protect them from natural disasters, beasts and enemies; and deeply believed these animal deities could ward off evil spirits and unfortunate mishaps, the image of Pixiu (貔貅) was so created. Pixiu is a hybrid creature with the images of beasts and auspicious animals; the appearance is no longer a real form of an animal and has been evolved through different periods following peoples’ wish. At earlier time people gave Pixiu the capability of warding off evil spirits for the sake of survival; while today it is more believed to possess powers like money rolling in, fortune, home blessing and fending off dangers. By merging the Chinese inherent propitious thought with the concept of creation Pixiu becomes a fantastic animal representing fortune and wealth with the power of warding off evils and dangers. Pixiu has the head of a dragon, body of a lion and tiger, wings and horns were eventually added in order to express the mythical power and character of a fantastic animal, and so to meet the image as people expect. Today, in addition to the warding off of evil spirits and dangers, Pixiu’s mystic capability of drawing and preserving wealth fulfills people’s desire makes it a very famous legend.
