The Haechi likes to live by the water and has a loyal temperament. If it sees two people fighting, it will butt the wrong party with its horns; if it sees two people quarreling, it will bite the loser because it is related to life. They all have the instinct to distinguish right from wrong and be impartial. It can distinguish between right and wrong, and is also known as the divine sheep. It is a symbol of bravery and justice, and a symbol of the "uprightness", "purity and justice" and "bright world" of justice.
The indissoluble bond between Xie Zhi and Fa can also be answered from the structure of the ancient word "fa". The ancient character "fa" is written as "灋fǎ", and "廌zhài" is Xie Zhi, the two characters "绌法" are combined into one, which means impartiality, so from water, the meaning of "fa" is as flat as water. In this way, the status of Haechi as a symbol of law was established.
From "灋fǎ" to "法", although the word "廌zhaì" has been hidden, the traditional Chinese legal culture it symbolizes has not disappeared.
After all, it is a legend. No one has ever seen what the Haechi is, so it has aroused people's imagination. Some people think it looks like a deer, some say it looks like a cow, and most people say it is like a sheep. In addition to relevant records in ancient books such as "Book of the Later Han", "Lunheng", and "Five Miscellaneous Groups", archaeological discoveries show that the Xie Zhi in cultural relics before the Qin Dynasty are all in the shape of a one-horned sheep, and the cow-shaped Xie Zhi appeared in the Eastern Han Dynasty. after.
As a symbol of traditional Chinese law, Haechi has always been respected by all dynasties. According to legend, during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, King Wen of Chu once obtained a Xie Zhi, made a crown according to its shape and wore it on his head. This followed the example and the Xie Zhi crown became fashionable in Chu State. The law enforcement censors of the Qin Dynasty wore this kind of crown, and the Han Dynasty inherited the Qin system.
In the Eastern Han Dynasty, Gao pottery statues and Haechi pictures became indispensable ornaments in the yamen, and the Haechi crown was named the legal crown, and the law enforcement officers were also called Haechi. This custom has been continued. By the Qing Dynasty, supervisory and judicial officials such as censors and inspectors all wore Xiechi crowns and supplementary clothes embroidered with "Xiechi" patterns.
Obviously, the image of Haechi is a relic of the savage era when gods judged law. In modern times, it is still regarded as an idol of law and justice.
Similarly, in the West, unicorns are also considered a symbol of purity. The power of its horns was believed to suppress any moral turpitude. At the same time, it has the meaning of chastity and is the representative of the perfect knight.
Contemporary use
Some Chinese people choose handicrafts with their images as funerary objects because they represent awe-inspiring righteousness. In addition, many judicial officers also like to wear ornaments with the image of Haechi. There are Haechi patterns on the gavels of judges in the People's Republic of China. The logo of the Beijing-based legal publishing house is Haechi.
In addition, in Seoul, South Korea, the Haechi is also used as the city mascot. During the Lee Dynasty's Joseon Dynasty, the court and people often regarded the Haechi as an auspicious animal that symbolized the palace and suppressed evil and disaster. In May 2008, the then mayor of Seoul, Oh Se-hun, announced that the Haechi would be used as the mascot to symbolize Seoul to establish a more A distinct image of the city.
The image of Haechi has also been cartoonized and used as a trademark in the name of "HAECHI SEOUL" to sell a variety of peripheral products. At the same time, HAECHI SEOUL is also in the National Palace Museum in Seoul: Gwanghwamun Sightseeing Scenery The district has set up a "Haechi Plaza" specialty store.