Kirin, the Yellow Dragon of the Center  

The Kirin Legends

In addition to the four mythological creatures who represent each direction, there is a fifth legendary beast who is associated with the center.

Chinese mythology calls this beast Huáng-lóng, or the Yellow Dragon of the Center.

In FFXI, Kirin is the Yellow Dragon of the Center at Ru'Anne Gardens, surrounded by Byakko, Suzaku, Seiryu and Genbu, the four creatures of Chinese mythology.

True to its image in FFXI, Kirin is described by different East Asian cultures as a hooved chimera-like creature. Kirin is often depicted with what looks like fire all over its body. In Japan, the Kirin is said to have the body of a deer, the tail of an ox, the hooves of a horse, a single horn and a scaly body.

It is said to live in paradise, and symbolizes the qualities of good, pure and peace. It is said to only appear upon the arrival of a sage.

Source: Japanese Buddhist Statuary Source: "A Brief History of Chinese and Japanese Civilizations: Third Edition," Schirokauer, Brown, Lurie, Gay. (2006)