Exorcising Spirit

Last updated 2026-11-09 — Among the many specialty products of Nanjing, the one that best embodies the image of Nanjing as the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties is a magical and majestic stone carving—the Exorcising Spirit. The Exorcising Spirit is an ancient mythical beast used to guard tombs. Resembling a qilin but without horns, it has wings on both sides and boasts muscular yet sturdy features. The Exorcising Spirit stone carvings from the Southern Dynasties are the most famous, and many of Nanjing’s Exorcising Spirits are remnants from that period. As a symbol of Nanjing, it stands for strength, fierceness, disaster prevention, and evil expulsion. Nanjing residents also hold the Exorcising Spirit in high regard—especially jade-carved tailless Exorcising Spirits, which are seen as symbols of wealth protection. Many households or cars in Nanjing have an Exorcising Spirit placed to ward off disasters and evil.