Baidu 10 Mythical Creatures

Arising in early 2009,[http://news.ifeng.com/society/4/200902/0211_346_1006552.shtml 山寨版“动物世界”介绍草泥马走红网络_资讯_凤凰网] (Phoenix TV official website) the meme began as a group of vandalised contributions to Baidu Baike.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnbeta.com/articles/73968.htm|title=cnBeta.COM_中文业界资讯站|author=cnBeta|access-date=2 October 2015|archive-date=February 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210161533/http://cnbeta.com/articles/73968.htm|url-status=dead}} A series of humorous articles was created describing fictional creatures, each animal with a name vaguely referring to a Chinese profanity (utilizing homophones and characters having different tones).{{cite web|url=http://finance.cctv.com/20090106/102137.shtml|title=CCTV.com|access-date=2 October 2015}} Eventually, images, videos (such as faux-documentaries) and even a song regarding aspects of the meme were released.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp5eVClV334/|title=YouTube|access-date=2 October 2015}} It was thought that the Baidu hoaxes were written in response to recent strict enforcement of keyword filters in China, introduced in 2009, which attempted to eliminate all forms of profanity.{{cite web|url=http://net.china.com.cn/ywdt/txt/2009-01/05/content_2668979.htm |title=违法和不良信息举报中心 |access-date=2 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201018/http://net.china.com.cn/ywdt/txt/2009-01/05/content_2668979.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://net.china.com.cn/qzl/txt/2008-11/28/content_2604476.htm |title=谴责与曝光_违法和不良信息举报中心 |access-date=2 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205102854/http://net.china.com.cn/qzl/txt/2008-11/28/content_2604476.htm |archive-date=5 December 2012 }} The Baidu Baike "articles" initially began with "Four Mythical Creatures" (The "Grass Mud Horse", "French-Croatian Squid", "Small Elegant Butterfly" and "Chrysanthemum Silkworms"), and were later extended to ten.

The memes were widely discussed on Chinese Internet forums, and most users concluded that the initial aim of the hoaxes was to satirise and ridicule the pointlessness of the new keyword filters. The meme is interpreted by most Chinese online as a form of direct protest rather than motiveless intentional disruption to Baidu services.{{cite web|url=http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2009/01/chinese-bloggers-respond-to-the-internet-crackdown/|title=Chinese Bloggers' Respond to the Internet Crackdown - China Digital Times (CDT)|work=China Digital Times (CDT)|date=January 30, 2009 |access-date=2 October 2015}} After the hoaxes were posted, news of the articles spread quickly online on joke websites, popular web portals and forums{{cite web|url=http://bbs.fobshanghai.com/thread-1602529-1-1.html|title=福步外贸论坛(FOB Business Forum) -中国第一外贸论坛|access-date=2 October 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://tieba.baidu.com/f?ct=&tn=&rn=&pn=&lm=&sc=&kw=%CA%AE%B4%F3%C9%F1%CA%DE&rs2=0&myselectvalue=1&word=%CA%AE%B4%F3%C9%F1%CA%DE&submit=%B0%D9%B6%C8%D2%BB%CF%C2&tb=on|title=百度贴吧|access-date=2 October 2015}} such as Baidu Tieba, while a large number of posts were sent on the Tencent QQ Groups chat service. There have also been various parodies of the meme created (such as the "Baidu 10 Legendary Weapons"{{Cite web|url=http://im.baidu.com/search/error.html|title=百度--您的访问出错了|website=im.baidu.com|language=zh-CN|access-date=2019-02-16}} and "Baidu 10 Secret Delicacies"{{cite web|url=http://www.leesum.com/blog/archives/441|title=Leesum.com|access-date=2 October 2015}}[http://hi.baidu.com/topgod_wwm/blog/item/34e4d7c3a80bfd52b219a872.html 卧槽，又来一个！百度十大神秘美食~~]). Meme references can be found throughout Chinese websites.Example of meme following: [http://www.chinasmack.com/pictures/cctv-fire-funny-photoshops-by-chinese-netizens/ CCTV Fire: Funny Photoshops By Chinese Netizens] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211094028/http://www.chinasmack.com/pictures/cctv-fire-funny-photoshops-by-chinese-netizens/ |date=February 11, 2009 }}, chinaSMACK (resulting from manipulated images of the Beijing Television Cultural Center fire)

The mythical creatures have names which are innocuous in written Chinese, but sound similar to and recognizable as profanities when spoken. References to the creatures, particularly the Grass Mud Horse, are widely used as symbolic defiance of the widespread Internet censorship in China; censorship itself is symbolized by the river crab, a near-homophone of harmony (a euphemism for censorship in reference to the Harmonious Society).{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/world/asia/12beast.html?em|work=The New York Times|first=Michael|last=Wines|title=A Dirty Pun Tweaks China's Online Censors |date=11 March 2009|access-date=12 March 2009}}

{{Main|Grass Mud Horse}}

Cao Ni Ma ({{lang|zh|草泥马}}, {{Lang|zh-latn|Cǎo Ní Mǎ}}), literally 'Grass Mud Horse', was supposedly a species of alpaca. The name is derived from cào nǐ mā ({{lang|zh|肏你妈}}), which translates to 'fuck your mother'. Note that the comparison with the "animal" name is not an actual homophone, but rather the two terms have the same consonants and vowels with different tones, which are represented by different characters. Their greatest enemy are "river crabs" ({{lang|zh|河蟹}}, {{Lang|zh-latn|héxiè}}, resembles {{lang|zh|和谐}} {{Lang|zh-latn|héxié}} meaning 'harmony', referring to government censorship to create a "harmonious society", while noting that river crabs are depicted wearing three wristwatches, vaguely referring to the Three Represents, where {{lang|zh|代表}} 'represent' and {{lang|zh|戴表}} 'to wear a watch' are homophones, both pronounced {{Lang|zh-Latn-pinyin|dàibiǎo}}), and are said to be frequently seen in combat against these crabs.

Videos of songs,{{cite web|url=http://forum.powerapple.com/modules.php?name=forum&file=viewtopic&forum=30&topic=25894 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205110520/http://forum.powerapple.com/modules.php?name=forum&file=viewtopic&forum=30&topic=25894 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2009 |title=- 超级苹果网 |access-date=2 October 2015 }}{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3tPA_Z_MT0|title=YouTube|access-date=2 October 2015}} as well as "documentaries" about "Grass Mud Horse" started appearing on YouTube and elsewhere on the Internet.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C77zOcEzKYQ|title=动物世界特别篇 马勒戈壁上的草泥马!|date=28 January 2009|work=YouTube|access-date=2 October 2015}}{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HON_9tViZFc|title=什么是草泥马|date=1 February 2009|work=YouTube|access-date=2 October 2015}} The video scored some 1.4 million hits; a cartoon attracted a quarter million more views; a nature documentary on its habits received 180,000 more.

The "Grass Mud Horse" became widely known on the English-language web following the 11 March 2009 publication of a New York Times article on the phenomenon, sparking widespread discussion on blogs, and even attempts to create "Grass Mud Horse" themed merchandise, such as plush dolls.{{Cite web|url=https://97rockonline.com/worlds-most-obscene-stuffed-animal-grass-mud-horse-is-meme-in-china/|title=World's Most Obscene Stuffed Animal: Grass Mud Horse Is Meme in China|last=Andrew Kirk|website=97 Rock|date=October 25, 2012 |language=en|access-date=2020-03-31}}{{Cite web|url=https://observers.france24.com/en/20090313-grass-mud-horse-china-internet-censorship-netizens-song|title=The 'grass-mud horses' battling internet censors|website=The France 24 Observers|date=March 13, 2009 |language=en|access-date=2020-03-31}}

Fa Ke You ({{lang|zh|法克鱿}}, {{Lang|zh-latn|Fǎ Kè Yóu}}), literally 'French-Croatian Squid' (with the name derived from the direct Chinese transliteration of fuck you in English), was supposedly a species of squid discovered simultaneously by France ({{lang|zh|法国}}) and Croatia ({{lang|zh|克罗地亚}}), hence the name. The Baidu Baike article claims{{Cite web |url=http://xueshen.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/7.jpg |title=法克鱿 - Baidu Baike (Past Screenshot) |access-date=February 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724135135/http://xueshen.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/7.jpg |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |url-status=dead }} that "Fa Ke You" is a species of invertebrate, aggressive squid found in Europe. When agitated, it is said that they release a form of "white-coloured liquid", i.e. semen. These squids are said to cause great harm to humans when attacked. When some of these squids reached East Asia, it is said that they became hunted, and eaten with corn. Such a dish is known as {{Lang|zh-latn|yù mǐ fǎ kè yóu}} ({{lang|zh|玉米法克鱿}}, "Corn French-Croatian Squid", referring to the fans of Li Yuchun, dubbed "corns"), being one of the world's top five greatest delicacies. An alternate name for the dish in question is {{lang|zh|{{interlanguage link|非主流|zh|vertical-align=sup}}的法克鱿}} ({{Lang|zh-latn|fēi zhǔ liú de fǎ kè yóu}}, 'Non-mainstream French-Croatian Squid'). This is apparently due to the behaviour of these squids, which do not inhabit major rivers, or the "main stream" of a river system, thus scientists dubbing them as squids with "deviant behaviour".

Ya Mie Die ({{lang|zh|雅蠛蝶}}, {{Lang|zh-latn|Yǎ Miè Dié}}), literally 'Small Elegant Butterfly', is derived from Japanese {{Lang|ja-latn|yamete}} ({{lang|ja|止めて}}), meaning 'stop', a reference to the rape genre in Japanese pornography and the common Chinese stereotypes of the Japanese as being erotomanic, misogynistic and perverted. It was supposedly a type of butterfly discovered on 1 January 2009 on the Tibetan Plateau, and that legends state that there was once a Japanese girl who turned into these butterflies after harsh pressures during a romantic relationship.{{Cite web |url=http://xueshen.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/8.jpg |title=雅蠛蝶 - Baidu Baike (Past Screenshot) |access-date=February 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724135149/http://xueshen.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/8.jpg |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |url-status=dead }} The original article states that these butterflies are able to change colour, and are luminescent, naturally emitting light from their wings. This is due to the cold temperatures and low oxygen environment these butterflies live in. There are an estimated 14,000 butterflies living throughout the world, and thus are considered to be precious and highly uncommon.

Ju Hua Can ({{lang|zh|菊花蚕}}, {{Lang|zh-latn|Jú Huā Cán}}), literally 'Chrysanthemum Silkworms' (referring to pinworms, where the term Chrysanthemums (júhuā) is vulgar slang which refers to the anus). This referred to Chrysanthemum Terrace, a song by Jay Chou, where the lyrics "{{lang|zh|菊花残，满地伤}}" ("The chrysanthemums are scattered, the ground filled with the wounded") are re-rendered with homophones and similar sounds as "{{lang|zh|菊花蚕，满腚伤}}" ("Chrysanthemum (anus) worms, buttocks covered with wounds"). Ju Hua Can can also be interpreted as a pun on another homophone, {{lang|zh|菊花残}}, meaning 'broken chrysanthemum', which would be slang for a "broken anus", referring to (possibly painful) anal sex, as {{lang|zh|残}} is a homophone meaning "broken". Such a phrase implies hopelessness, as once a person is given a "broken anus", they would find difficulty in sitting down, and so "broken Chrysanthemum" is a common (vulgar) Chinese idiom. These silkworms are said to feed on chrysanthemum flowers rather than mulberry leaves (from the article).{{Cite web |url=http://xueshen.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/9.jpg |title=菊花蚕 - Baidu Baike (Past Screenshot) |access-date=February 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724135155/http://xueshen.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/9.jpg |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |url-status=dead }} The article also states that the usage of Chrysanthemum Silkworms dates back to 3000 years ago in Ancient China, and that they were the first cultivation method of silk obtained by early scientists. The silk produced by silkworms that feed on chrysanthemums rather than mulberry are able to be produced at a much faster rate, are higher in mass, are fireproof, protective against ionizing radiation, bulletproof, and lightweight. However, these silkworms are very difficult to maintain, and easily die. They are vulnerable to cold, heat, and are susceptible to changes in humidity, and thus are very costly to nurture. Noblewomen from ancient times are said to pay large sums of money for such types of silk.

Chun Ge ({{lang|zh|鹑鸽}}, {{Lang|zh-latn|Chún Gē}}), literally 'quail-pigeon', is a homophone with {{lang|zh|春哥}} ('Brother Chun'). This species of bird is apparently found only in Sichuan and Hunan; formerly found in the area that is now the Republic of Yemen.{{Cite web |url=http://xueshen.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/10.jpg |title=鹑鸽 - Baidu Baike (Past Screenshot) |access-date=February 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724135253/http://xueshen.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/10.jpg |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

The term Big Brother Chun ({{lang|zh|春哥}}) has been used to refer to the female singer Li Yuchun due to her apparent androgynous appearance. Yemen comes from the catchphrase {{Lang|zh-latn|chūn gē chún yé men}} ({{lang|zh|春哥纯爷们}}), meaning 'Brother Chun is a real man' — {{lang|zh|爷}}, meaning 'grandfather', can also be read as 'masculine' (young males in Northeast China use the slang term 爷 as a personal pronoun in an impolite context). The {{lang|zh|春}} {{Lang|zh-latn|Chun}} can also refer to {{Lang|zh-latn|fa chun}} ({{lang|zh|发春}}), which is slang for sexual arousal – literally 'Spring has come'.

Ji Ba Mao ({{lang|zh|吉跋猫}}, {{Lang|zh-latn|Jí Bá Māo}}), literally 'Lucky Journey Cat' (a homophone with {{lang|zh|鸡巴毛}}, referring to pubic hair, as the homophone {{Lang|zh-latn|jība}} ({{lang|zh|鸡巴}}) is a vulgar term for 'penis', while the definition of {{lang|zh|毛}} {{Lang|zh-latn|máo}} is 'hair' or 'fur'). The original article states that this cat lives in dark, damp environments and competes for food with the White Tiger (white tiger is a slang term for a hairless/shaved vulva). Additionally, the Ji Ba Mao is claimed to have flourished during the reign of the Zhengde Emperor.{{Cite web |url=http://xueshen.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/21.jpg |title=吉跋猫 - Baidu Baike (Past Screenshot) |access-date=February 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724135216/http://xueshen.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/21.jpg |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |url-status=dead}}

Wei Shen Jing ({{lang|zh|尾申鲸}}, {{Lang|zh-latn|Wěi Shēn Jīng}}), literally 'Stretch-Tailed Whale' (a near-homophone with {{lang|zh|卫生巾}}, {{Lang|zh-latn|wèishēngjīn}}, referring to menstrual pads). From the Baidu Baike article, it was

first discovered by Zheng He during his maritime adventures. According to the article this creature was hunted for clothing material to manufacture women's lingerie.[http://www.chancat.cn/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/e5b0bee794b3e9b2b8.jpg 尾申鲸 - Baidu Baike (Past Screenshot)]{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Yin Dao Yan ({{lang|zh|吟稻雁}}, {{Lang|zh-latn|Yīn Dào Yán}}), literally 'Singing Rice Goose' (a homophone with {{lang|zh|阴道炎}} {{Lang|zh-latn|Yīn Dào Yán}}, meaning a vaginitis infection). From the article on {{Lang|zh-latn|Yīn Dào Yán}}, in the Kangxi era, a large goose dived into a certain field, damaging it and causing the local farmers to come down with a strange sickness.[http://www.chancat.cn/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/e5909fe7a8bbe99b81.jpg 吟稻雁 - Baidu Baike (Past Screenshot)]{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Da Fei Ji ({{lang|zh|达菲鸡}}, {{Lang|zh-latn|Dá Fēi Jī}}), literally 'Intelligent Fragrant Chicken' (a homophone with {{lang|zh|打飞机}} {{Lang|zh-latn|Dǎ Fēi Jī}}, slang for masturbation while literally meaning 'shooting at the airplane'). According to the original article, Da Fei Ji is a species of bird that likes exercise, and the males use neck spasms to spit out a white secretion to impress females during mating seasons.[http://www.chancat.cn/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/e8bebee88fb2e9b8a1.bmp 达菲鸡 - Baidu Baike (Past Screenshot)]{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Qian Lie Xie ({{lang|zh|潜烈蟹}}, {{Lang|zh-latn|Qián Liè Xiè}}), literally 'Hidden Fiery Crab', closely resembles {{Lang|zh-latn|qián liè xiàn}} ({{lang|zh|前列腺}}), which translates to 'prostate glands'. According to the article, this is a legendary crab that once stopped up the Grand Canal (referring to the urinary tract).[http://www.chancat.cn/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/e6bd9ce78388e89fb9.jpg 潜烈蟹 - Baidu Baike (Past Screenshot)]{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television issued a directive on 30 March 2009 to highlight 31 categories of content prohibited online, including violence, pornography, content which may "incite ethnic discrimination or undermine social stability". According to reports, the instruction follows the official embarrassment over the rise of the "Grass Mud Horse" phenomenon.{{cite news|author=Vivian Wu|title=Censors strike at internet content after parody hit |work=South China Morning Post |location=Hong Kong|date=3 April 2009|url=http://www.scmp.com/article/675609/censors-strike-internet-content-after-hit-parody|access-date=2013-03-01}}

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{{reflist|2}}

• {{youTube|rZRYd78vMT0|CNN explains the grass-mud horse}}
• {{youTube|3D2eh4xehc4|Grass-mud horse song with English subtitles}}
• [http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=14823 Chinese bloggers protest blocking of YouTube], AsiaNews.it, 25 March 2009
• Jean Meulenot, [http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/monde/asie/un-poney-face-a-la-censure-chinoise_747654.html Un poney face à la censure chinoise], L'Express, 18 March 2009 {{in lang|fr}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090317172815/http://www.france-info.com/spip.php?article265420&theme=14&sous_theme=17 Le clip animalier chinois qui critique le régime], France Info, 14 March 2009 {{in lang|fr}}
• Pascale Nivelle, [http://www.ecrans.fr/Caonima-le-clip-qui-fait-la-nique,6641.html « Caonima », le clip qui fait la nique à Pékin], Ecrans, Libération, 16 March 2009 {{in lang|fr}}
• [http://www.lemonde.fr/asie-pacifique/article/2009/03/17/le-lama-andin-se-dechaine-contre-la-censure-chinoise-sur-internet_1168960_3216.html Le lama andin se déchaîne contre la censure chinoise sur Internet], Le Monde, 17 March 2009 {{in lang|fr}}
• Wen Yunchao, [http://observers.france24.com/fr/content/20090313-lamas-boueux-contre-censeurs-net-chine Les "lamas boueux" contre les censeurs du Net], France 24, 13 March 2009 {{in lang|fr}}

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