Chinese Mythology

The Folk Gods and Spirits of the Middle Kingdom

GAO YAO

Chinese Justice God

Also known as Kao-Yao

Picture of the Chinese Justice God Gao Yao from our Chinese mythology image library. Illustration by Chas Saunders.

A God of Justice and Judgment

He was the Minister for Justice under the legendary Emperor Yao during the golden age of Chinese godliness.

His technique for sniffing out the truth is rather curious. Instead of questioning suspects and investigating the evidence, he just asks his goat.

This animal has a single horn and might seem a poor substitute for a unicorn, but it’s actually his magical pet Qilin.

Such creatures have a nose for the truth. When Gao Yao brings his pet into the courtroom, it heads straight for any guilty persons and prods them with its horn. Guilty!

Gao Yao Facts and Figures

Name: Gao Yao
Pronunciation: Gaow Yaow
Alternative names: Kao-Yao

Gender: Male
Type: God
Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present

Role:
In charge of: Justice
Area of expertise: Justice

Good/Evil Rating: NEUTRAL, may not care
Popularity index: 8449

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Article last revised on April 21, 2019 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders

References: Coming soon.

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