Xiao, an adeptus and one of Liyue's Five Great Yakshas in Genshin Impact, is strongly implied to possess an illuminated beast form that is an avian creature. While not explicitly confirmed as a single entity, lore suggests his form is reminiscent of either Garuda from Hindu mythology or Peng (金鹏, Jīnpéng) from Chinese and Buddhist myths.
Xiao's Avian Associations
Xiao's connection to an avian illuminated beast is deeply woven into his character design, lore, and aliases, hinting at his true form:
- Character Design & Abilities: While his human form is his primary appearance, elements of his design and combat style, particularly his powerful plunges and agile airborne maneuvers, evoke the image of a winged, bird-like creature.
- Constellation: His constellation, Alatus Nemeseos, translates from Latin as "Winged Nemesis," directly referencing wings and an avian connection.
- Yaksha Alias: Xiao is also known by his ancient Yaksha name, Alatus, which is Latin for "winged." The Chinese translation of this alias is 金鹏 (Jīnpéng), which literally means "Golden Peng." This provides a significant and direct link to the mythical Peng bird.
The Mythical Candidates: Garuda and Peng
The two primary mythical figures associated with Xiao's illuminated beast form are both powerful, colossal birds from Asian mythologies:
Garuda
Garuda is a legendary divine bird or bird-like creature prominently featured in Hindu mythology and Buddhism. Often depicted as a large eagle or a humanoid figure with features of an eagle, Garuda is recognized as:
- The king of birds.
- The mount of the god Vishnu.
- A powerful protector and destroyer of evil, particularly serpents (nagas).
- Known for incredible speed, strength, and the ability to travel between realms.
Xiao's formidable role as a Yaksha, battling malevolent demons and spirits for centuries, aligns well with Garuda's protective and destructive attributes, as he continuously vanquishes evil.
Peng (金鹏 - Jīnpéng)
Peng (金鹏), often associated with the Kunpeng from Chinese mythology, is an enormous mythical bird in both Chinese and Buddhist traditions. Key aspects of Peng include:
- Its immense size, with wings said to be so vast they can blot out the sky and cause hurricanes.
- Its origin from a gigantic fish named Kun, which transforms into the bird Peng.
- Its representation of boundless power, immense flight, and freedom.
The direct translation of Xiao's alias Alatus into Jīnpéng (Golden Peng) provides a very strong and explicit link to this specific mythical creature. This connection reinforces the deep Chinese cultural roots that inspire the region of Liyue within Genshin Impact.
Aspect | Garuda | Peng (金鹏 - Jīnpéng) |
---|---|---|
Origin | Hindu mythology | Chinese and Buddhist mythology |
Nature | Divine eagle, demigod, king of birds; mount of Vishnu. Often depicted as part-human, part-bird. | Enormous mythical bird capable of transforming from a fish (Kun); flies immense distances. |
Symbolism | Swiftness, power, protection, destroyer of evil, divine messenger, wisdom. | Immense power, boundless flight, transformation, freedom, vastness. |
Connection to Xiao | Reflects his swift, powerful combat style and his role as a protector who tirelessly vanquishes evil. | Directly linked via his Chinese alias Jīnpéng (Golden Peng), aligning with Liyue's cultural aesthetic. |
Given the explicit translation of his alias, the Peng bird is a particularly prominent candidate for Xiao's illuminated beast form, drawing heavily on the cultural inspirations for the region of Liyue. Both figures, however, perfectly encapsulate Xiao's strength, speed, and formidable nature as the "Vigilant Yaksha."