The mythical beast said to have taught the Yellow Emperor about supernatural creatures is Bai Ze.
In Chinese legend, Bai Ze was a wise and auspicious creature who encountered Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor, during the emperor’s travels. Bai Ze supposedly knew the names, appearances, habits, and dangers of every ghost, demon, and strange spirit in the world. It shared this knowledge with Huangdi, who had the information recorded in an illustrated compendium.
That legendary record became associated with the Bai Ze Tu, or “Bai Ze illustrations,” a handbook of supernatural beings and methods for avoiding their harm. The tradition helped make Bai Ze a protective figure: images of the creature were displayed in homes to repel evil and misfortune.
Bai Ze is sometimes confused with the qilin because both are benevolent, auspicious Chinese creatures. The qilin is more strongly linked with virtue, rulers, and signs of peace, while Bai Ze is specifically associated with supernatural knowledge and warding off spirits. In Japan, Bai Ze was adopted under the name Hakutaku.