This paper explores through historical investigation the controversy over the mythical animal which appeared on the external walls of traditional Chinese buildings. The common belief has been that the mythical animal is a unicorn, which denotes wealth and honor. An in-depth study shows that the mythical animal actually derived from a legendary animal created by the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Chu Yuan-Cbang. Research findings show that the animal is similar in shape to unicorn, but is actually called "the Greedy Animal", This mythic...