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Red Khyung, a MythSource painting
Tibetan

Red Khyung

01Identity

Red Khyung in Tibetan tradition

In the Shépa song, Khyung’s home, nest and egg are set on a white medicine mountain. Dü lures the red Khyung away by describing their homelands as opposites, and Khyung believes him. A white snow bird and four sparrow hawks search every direction. When divination confirms that Khyung has been taken to Dü’s realm, a wise bat volunteers to find the captive.

At the lowest castle, the bat finds Khyung weakened by a helmet, armour and iron chains. Water from three sacred vases removes each restraint in turn. Khyung flaps sword-like wings, destroying the castle and black mountains, then flies back to Jambu Continent. The rescue depends on the bat’s resourcefulness and Khyung’s own returning strength.

SourceShépa: The Tibetan Oral Tradition in Choné: Khyung chapter, the red Khyung’s luring, confinement, rescue, and return song sequence

  • The source-named red Khyung in a Shépa luring-and-rescue song sequence. (Shépa: The Tibetan Oral Tradition in Choné)
Top questions

The quick answers

02The myths

The myths of Red Khyung

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

The Red Khyung’s Rescue

The song locates Khyung’s home, nest and egg atop the white medicine mountain. Dü, king of the demon realm, contrasts his homeland with Khyung’s, describing his own as happy and Khyung’s as suffering. Khyung believes him and is lured away. A white snow bird sends four sparrow hawks to search in each direction. When none finds Khyung, birds gather and divination reveals that Khyung has been taken to Dü’s realm.

A wise bat carries three sacred vases to the castle. After opening the upper and lower levels, the bat finds Khyung confined in the lowest castle, weakened by a demonic helmet, armour and iron chains. Water from each vase removes one restraint, and Khyung and the bat rejoice as the helmet, armour and chains fall away. Khyung is freed, then flaps sword-like wings three times, destroying the castle and the nine black mountains. Khyung flies back to Jambu Continent.

The Red Khyung’s Rescue, a MythSource painting of the scene