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I learned a lot of Chinese folklore growing up. Imagine my delight when I first entered Liyue in Genshin Impact, and met a bunch of characters inspired by the folklore I grew up with. In ancient China, natural and social phenomena were explained as the works of mythical creatures and deities. These stories were then passed down through word of mouth, and became an important part of Chinese culture.
Today, through my words (of hand), allow me to delve into some of the characters in Liyue who beautifully embody the cultural significance of Chinese history.
Ganyu (甘雨; Sweet Rain — rain after a long drought)
In Genshin’s lore, there exist mythical creatures referred to as illuminated beasts — the adepti, and Ganyu is one of the two Genshin characters so far that are half-adeptus. Besides her beautiful name, Ganyu’s character design features a prominent set of horns, which reflects her being half-Qilin (麒麟).
Qilins are often compared to Chinese dragons, but they are actually a composite of different animals, with the body of a deer, the hooves of a horse, and the tail of an ox. Despite their aggressive appearance, they are known for their gentle, kind, and righteous nature. In ancient depictions, the Qilin is said to refuse to harm even a blade of grass and walks on clouds instead.
Like the Qilin, Ganyu is reserved and soft-spoken, but is surprisingly assertive when it relates to those she cares about, such as when she defended Beidou in one of her voice-over lines. I originally thought she would fit hydro more, but her cryo abilities made sense to represent her committed, strong-willed nature.
The Qilin continues to hold prominence in modern Chinese culture, often featured in decorations such as paintings and carvings as a symbol of good fortune and prestige. While it remains uncertain whether this directly…
