When the Jiangsu Super League (SuChao) heats up, cities across Jiangsu province embrace their cultural identities—often personifying local history through symbolic animals that appear as mascots, athletes, or cheerleaders in digital campaigns. From Yancheng’s elks and Lianyungang’s "Monkey King" to Nantong’s wolves and Huai’an’s galloping steeds, each city leans into its heritage with pride.
But one choice stands out—perhaps controversially: Nanjing, the ancient capital of six dynasties, has chosen the duck as its representative creature.
Yes, you read that right—the beloved Nanjing salted duck, a culinary icon so famous that it’s said “no duck swims out of Nanjing alive.” While delicious, is a bird best known for ending up on dinner plates really the best ambassador for a city with over 1,800 years of imperial history?
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Why the Duck Falls Short
Let’s be honest: ducks are gentle, flightless, and—let’s face it—culinary staples. They lack the ferocity, majesty, or mythological weight befitting a city once known as Jiankang, the capital of empires.
Nanjing deserves a symbol that reflects its historical depth, cultural resilience, and imperial grandeur—not one associated primarily with appetite.
So what animal should represent Nanjing?
Look no further than the Bixie (pronounced bēi xiè)—a mythical beast that already graces the Nanjing City Football Team’s crest, echoing a design first created in the 1980s by Professor Bao Bin from Nanjing University of the Arts.
That emblem isn’t just artistic flair. It’s a direct homage to Nanjing’s most powerful cultural symbol: the stone Bixie statues that have stood guard for over 1,500 years.
The Bixie: Nanjing’s True Guardian Spirit
The Bixie is no ordinary mythological creature. Towering and muscular, with a gaping maw, flowing mane, and wings flaring from its sides, it exudes strength and divine authority. It stands proudly at the center of Nanjing’s historic coat of arms, flanked by dragons and tigers—a nod to the city’s famed description as “Long Pan Hu Ju” (Dragon coiled, tiger crouched).
But what is a Bixie?
Originally, the term “Bixie” meant “deviation” or “moral corruption” in classical Chinese texts like the Guoyu. However, by the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), its meaning evolved into “warding off evil”—a powerful transformation. The Xiao Er Ya dictionary defines “Bi” as “to remove,” suggesting the Bixie’s role as a protector against malevolent forces.
Historical records even note that Sun Quan, emperor of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period, named one of his treasured swords “Bixie”—a clear sign of its association with power and defense.
From Han Tombs to Southern Dynasties Grandeur
While early Han Dynasty depictions of Bixie varied—some with antlers, some wingless—the form we recognize today solidified during the Southern Dynasties (420–589 CE).
These stone guardians were placed along spirit paths (shendao) leading to the tombs of nobles and kings. Unlike imperial tombs, which featured Qilin or Tianlu, the tombs of high-ranking officials were guarded by Bixie—majestic, hornless, lion-like beasts with wings carved in dynamic motion.
There are fewer than 30 surviving Southern Dynasties stone beasts in China—all located in Jiangsu Province. Of these, 22 are in Nanjing, including masterpieces like the Bixie at Xiao Jing’s Tomb in Qixia District. This particular statue is widely regarded as the finest example—and served as the direct inspiration for Nanjing’s modern city emblem.
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The Bixie Lives On—In Stone and in Spirit
You don’t need to visit a museum to encounter the Bixie. It’s woven into Nanjing’s urban fabric:
- Sculptures stand proudly at Zhongshan Gate, Nanjing South Railway Station, and Bai Ma Park.
- It appears on Nanjing University’s seal, reinforcing its academic and cultural prestige.
- Even cigarette packaging (like “Nanjing” brand) once featured the Bixie—a testament to its deep-rooted symbolism.
These aren’t mere decorations. They’re reminders of a city shaped by emperors, poets, philosophers, and warriors—a city that has risen from ashes more than once.
Why the Bixie Beats the Duck (No Offense to Duck Lovers)
Let’s compare:
| Symbol | Cultural Weight | Historical Presence | Emotional Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duck | Culinary fame | 600 years (Ming era) | Nostalgic, humorous |
| Bixie | Imperial guardian | 1,500+ years | Majestic, protective |
The duck is beloved—but the Bixie is iconic. It embodies strength, protection, and spiritual authority. For a football team hoping to conquer rivals and inspire fans, which mascot would you want roaring from the sidelines?
The Bixie doesn’t just represent history—it commands it.
FAQs: All About Nanjing’s Mythical Guardian
Q: Is the Bixie the same as a Pixiu?
A: No. Though often confused, they are distinct creatures. The Pixiu has two horns and is associated with wealth in modern feng shui. The Bixie is hornless, winged, and historically tied to tomb guardianship and spiritual protection.
Q: Where can I see real Bixie statues in Nanjing?
A: Key sites include Xiao Jing’s Tomb (Qixia), Xiao Hong’s Tomb (Jiangning), and outdoor displays at Nanjing Museum and Six Dynasties Museum.
Q: Why do Bixie have wings if they’re based on lions?
A: The wings symbolize divine movement—bridging earth and heaven. Unlike real lions, these are supernatural beings meant to patrol both physical and spiritual realms.
Q: Has Nanjing ever officially used the Bixie as a mascot?
A: Yes. The Bixie was central to Nanjing’s original city emblem and remains part of official cultural branding—even appearing on sports team logos and public art installations.
Q: Could the Bixie become Nanjing’s new sports mascot?
A: Absolutely. With growing interest in cultural authenticity, replacing the duck with the Bixie could strengthen civic pride and connect modern achievements with ancient legacy.
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Conclusion: Let the Bixie Roar Again
Nanjing is more than a city of duck banquets. It is a cradle of Chinese civilization—a place where emperors ruled, scholars debated, and poets composed verses under moonlit pagodas.
To represent it with a creature destined for the dinner table is charming, perhaps even endearing. But to represent it with the Bixie—a 15-century-old stone sentinel that has watched over tombs, inspired artists, and guarded history—is to honor its true soul.
So next time you see Nanjing take the field—whether in sports or culture—don’t just think of flavor.
Think of power. Think of legacy.
Think of the Bixie, roaring into the future.
Core Keywords: Nanjing, Bixie, six dynasties capital, Southern Dynasties stone beasts, cultural symbol, mythological creature, Nanjing heritage