A Chinese Bigfoot Carving?

On a trip to Taiwan in 1996, my hosts took me into the mountains to visit the native people called the Yami. As we slowly wound our way up a steep mountain road, I noticed a very large shop with many astounding woodcarvings. I asked to stop and have a look, as I have a fascination for Chinese art. The shop was beyond belief; I had never seen so many intricate and perfect carvings. There was hardly room for me to navigate in the narrow aisles, being I'm a little larger than the locals. At the end of one aisle was a carving well over 5 feet tall that for all the world depicted a bigfoot.

I then noticed another small carving that showed an ape-man like creature. I am told that Chinese ape-man images are strictly associated with myth, but it would still be interesting to know the stories. Sightings of Chinese wild men (noted as being ape-like) are, of course, well documented. It is only natural that their images would find their way into the art of the region, but I don't know if there is any connection here. If anyone is familiar with Chinese myth in this regard, I would like to hear from you.

Tag: chris murphy taiwan mountains native people yami mountain woodcarvings bigfoot ape-man creature chinese myth signtings