Paoxiao

Prototype of Taotie

Goat-bodied, human-faced eater with eyes under its armpits, regarded as the origin of Taotie.

Paoxiao is the goat-bodied monster of Gouwu Mountain whose eyes sit in its armpits; with tiger teeth, human claws and an infant’s cry it devours people. Most scholars identify it with Taotie, the insatiable eater whose face glares from ancient bronze vessels — greed given a mythic body.