騶虞

Behr (2004b) groups this among several zoonyms (like 狻猊 and 獅子) in ancient Chinese texts to denote lions. See those two for etymology.

騶虞

1. (Chinese mythology) zouyu (a white beast with black stripes)

   • 彼茁者葭、壹發五豝。于嗟乎騶虞。彼茁者蓬、壹發五豵。于嗟乎騶虞。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     彼茁者葭、壹发五豝。于嗟乎驺虞。彼茁者蓬、壹发五𫎆。于嗟乎驺虞。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11^th – 7^th centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

     Bǐ zhuó zhě jiā, yī fā wǔ bā. Yú jiēhū zōuyú. Bǐ zhuó zhě péng, yī fā wǔ zōng. Yú jiēhū zōuyú. [Pinyin]

     Strong and abundant grow the rushes; He discharges [but] one arrow at five wild sows. Ah! he is the Zou-yu!
     Strong and abundant grow the artemisia; He discharges [but] one arrow at five wild piglets. Ah! he is the Zou-yu!

   • 騶虞不虛來，鸑鷟有時鳴。 [MSC, trad.]
     驺虞不虚来，𬸚𬸦有时鸣。 [MSC, simp.]

     From: 李白 Li Bai, 《古風．十三》"In the Old Manners - 13", 8th century

     Zōuyú bùxū lái, yuèzhuó yǒushí míng. [Pinyin]

     The Zouyu comes not in vain; the Yuezhuo chirps now and then.

2. (historical) official in charge of animals
3. (historical) ceremonial tune for an archery ceremony

   • 其節：天子以《騶虞》為節；諸侯以《貍首》為節；卿大夫以《采蘋》為節；士以《采繁》為節。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     其节：天子以《驺虞》为节；诸侯以《狸首》为节；卿大夫以《采苹》为节；士以《采繁》为节。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Book of Rites, c. 4^th – 2^nd century BCE

     Qí jié: tiānzǐ yǐ “zōuyú” wèi jié; zhūhóu yǐ “líshǒu” wèi jié; qīngdàfū yǐ “cǎipíng” wèi jié; shì yǐ “cǎifán” wèi jié. [Pinyin]

     To regulate (the discharging of the arrows), there was, in the case of the son of Heaven, the playing of the Zou-yu; in the case of the feudal lords, that of the Li-shou; in the case of the dignitaries, the great officers, that of the Cai-ping; and in the case of officers, that of the Cai-fan.

4. Alternative form of 狻猊 (suānní)