Chinese girlies have been saying that we should put effort into talking about how Love and Deepspace has taught us about Chinese culture. While I previously talked about possible connections to Norse mythology, I decided to try and find any links to Chinese mythology, as well as other perhaps religious things that could be of value to linking him to China.
I am obviously not Chinese and my knowledge is surface level at best. I would greatly appreciate if anyone can offer their own insights on it.
I will be using pictures and information I found on the internet. My neurodivergent brain is currently overloading, so I do not remember exactly where I got what. If one of the pictures I use is yours, please let me know, so I can give proper credit.
Chinese mythology does not have werewolves the way the western world knows them, with the transformation during the full moon and the curse of biting another human that then turns into a werewolf and is usually malevolent.
In Chinese mythology, plants, insects, inanimate objects that gain sentience and animals can absorb spiritual energy from the universe, and cultivate magical powers. They can often gain the ability to shapeshift into human form.
They are called Yaoguai or Yao.
In Chinese folklore and modern fantasy, a Wolf Demon is translated as Láng Yāo (狼妖).
In traditional Chinese folklore, wolves are historically depicted as cunning, ruthless and dangerous. A Lang Yao in classical literature is frequently portrayed as a malicious spirit or marauding monster.
This is not quite different from how the wolf was depicted in western literature for centuries, I think. Most of us know the story of the Wolf and Three Pigs, or the Boy Who Called Wolf. We know the wolf is also tied to the occult through Dracula and all the depictions of werewolves in modern western media.
In modern Chinese novels, anime, and games, Lang Yao characters generally exhibit specific archetypes: They often possess a hybrid form—such as a human body with wolf ears, fangs, claws, and a tail—or can seamlessly shift between a massive feral beast and a full human disguise. We see Valko do this in his trailer.
They are typically written as exceptionally agile, physically strong, and possessing heightened senses. They often control elements like wind or shadow to execute swift slash attacks.
They are rarely solitary and are commonly depicted living in packs, tribes, or powerful military clans led by a tribal chief or "Wolf King." This is what we see with Valko as well. From the little things we know about him, we have learned that he is the head of his werewolf clan and his standard myth companion is called the Wolf Lord.
We also know he has at least a grandma, cousin and an auntie in his pack and from the way he referred to them in Chinese, they were part of his paternal line.
I am wondering if we were gonna see more about that in his standard myth, or perhaps in future cards of his, but I guess we won't know now. Even if I hope they bring him back and reinstate him in the game.
The Wolf Demon/Spirit lore would be great for a future myth.
WinterzDream on X was so kind to explain most of this, so I got most of the info from her. She also mentioned several stories that are worth checking out. And I fully intend to do that.
Yao-Chinese Folktales: The acclaimed animated anthology features various traditional spirits, notably in episodes like The Summer of Mr. Yao (set on Lang Lang Mountain) and Linlin, which beautifully explores the perspective of a wolf spirit trying to integrate into human society.
The Wolf of Zhongshan: A famous Ming-dynasty fable that highlights the traditional cultural view of wolves. While it focuses heavily on a wolf's capacity to deceive humans after being saved, it laid the foundation for Lang Yao tropes where wolves manipulate human empathy.
"Wolf Grandmas" (Láng Wàipó): The tale of Lon Po Po or the story of General Wang’s mother from Taiyuan. In these accounts, ancient wolf spirits shapeshift into elderly matrons to infiltrate households, blending a deceptive human identity with predatory beast instincts.
