#chollima

I enjoyed coming up with the species they're gonna be as, hopefully I'll be able to pump out individual posts for each of them but for now have these >:00

Mira: Unicorn–born Earth Pony. A Marwari horse in particular for the curved ears. Despite being born without a horn, her build is still that of a unicorn; tall and elegant

Zoey: Chollima (Korean pegasus) and Bat pony mix. She is speed. Her fangs are inspired from Korean water deer, they're just for show!

Rumi: "Unicorn." I think everyone agrees that the demons are changelings, and so that's Rumi's half for my AU as well! Instead of patterns she has holes on her legs and horn, on her back she has an Elytra and the torn bug wings under it. Despite the holes she still passes as a regular Unicorn, so she soft and floofy

Bobby: Girin (Korean Kirin, used for Giraffe in modern times) and Reindeer mix. I decided to give him Reindeer traits so we can have his lovely signature OwO smile! Very fluffy fur and smooth scales

This is a chollima. Have you heard of it? The chollima is a Korean mythical horse (if you don't feel like you get it, it's like a unicorn. But way cooler and better than a unicorn tho). It has wings and can fly great distances at lightning speed. To be specific, 400km in a single night! The chollima is a symbol of inspiration for the people of the DPRK (I'm not sure if it's also popular in South Korea currently but it does predate the separation), reminding them to work with steadfast efficiency, speed, and determination to achieve their goals and dreams as a nation.

It is also said that because of the speed of the chollima, it's not possible for any mortal to ride it. So people who are particularly passionate and hard-working, meeting and exceeding targets, so much so that it seems almost god-like? They're known as chollima riders.

The movement which turned the chollima into a national symbol encouraging the citizenship to meet the nation's economic goals began in the 1950's. But the new youth of the DPRK needed something to inspire them too. That's why...

Move over chollima, there's a new magic horse in town! (jk we still love u xoxo) It's known as the mallima, and it's just like the chollima but TEN TIMES faster.

Today, the chollima and it's twin sister the mallima inspire the people worldwide to work hard and efficiently to achieve their goals.

Are you a chollima rider?

CHOLLIMA: I am here to register for the race. Not that it will be much of a contest.

ME: Great! Species?

CHOLLIMA: Chollima. Obviously. (mutters) Ignorant Americans.

ME: (flips through rulebook) Okaaay here we go. Eastern winged horse—dang, a thousand Chinese miles in a day? That does sound impressive!

CHOLLIMA: Yes, I’d suggest simply crowning me now if not for the fuss from the other contestants.

ME: And “too swift and elegant to be mounted by any mortal man.” Well, good on you for having the humility to join us today!

CHOLLIMA: . . . I beg your pardon?

ME: You must have a rider if you’re entering this race, right?

CHOLLIMA: Of course not! I would never disgrace myself or my species by letting one of you unworthy creatures ride me like a common horse. I shall be racing alone.

ME: Ah . . . well, that’s awkward. Since it’s sort of a requirement. (points at rulebook) Every racing mythic has to have a passenger. How they support each other is between the two of them, but it IS required.

CHOLLIMA: What?! Why would they make such a ridiculous, demeaning rule?! And why would any intelligent equine allow it?!

ME: Look, we can have a long argument about teamwork and fairness of loadbearing requirements, but the simple fact is you can’t race without a humanoid partner.

CHOLLIMA: (terribly conflicted) But . . . but I MUST have that stunning handwoven horsecloak that goes to the winner… and yet I can’t go against the chollima code . . .

ME: . . . So you need a rider . . . but not someone who’ll actually “ride” you . . .

CHOLLIMA: . . . Yes . . . ?

ME: (scribbles something on registry) I have a solution! Furgus, cover for me.

FURGUS: (rolls his eyes)

——

(Chollima hovers a bit behind the starting line. Human hangs from fabric sling strapping her to chollima’s neck. A significant number of racers are snickering)

ME: (gleefully) This is gonna be SO GREAT.

CHOLLIMA: This is utterly undignified.

ME: Hey, you’re racing, right? And carrying isn’t technically the same as riding! Yay loopholes!

CHOLLIMA: You’re lucky I have to win without dropping you just to silence these jeering buffoons.

ME: That’s the spirit!

————

(A/N: Shoutout to author W.R. Gingell’s books for introducing me to the chollima and thus inspiring a new way to annoy horse mythics :D If you like urban fantasy, go read her City Between series, it’s great!)

Chollima

The Chollima is a powerful winged horse that has become an important symbol in Korean mythology, although it is thought to have originated in China. It is also known as qianlima and cheollima. The horse is said to be capable of traveling hundreds of miles in one day and its name translates as thousand-li horse, with li being a unit of measurement equivalent to approximately 250 miles. They were said to be so swift that they were impossible for any man to either ride, or tame.

There is a similar horse that appears in Chinese myth, called the longma. In addition to its wings, the longma has dragon scales, which makes sense, as their name translates as dragon horse. Like the Chollima, the longma was highly revered, and catching sight of one was meant to foretell the appearance of a great leader.

The Chollima, or "thousand-mile horse," is a legendary winged horse from Chinese mythology. Said to be too swift and elegant to be mounted by any mortal man, it can gallop one thousand li (approximately four hundred kilometres) in a single day.

The Chollima is also important in North Korea, giving its name to the Chollima Movement and appearing as a statue in several places throughout Pyongyang.

Image source.

Monster master list.