Shilasun, along with names such as Shalishun, Shili, Shilusu, Suliesun, Shalusi, Sheliesun, Shilason, Shelisun…
Shilasun, along with names such as Shalishun, Shili, Shilusu, Suliesun, Shalusi, Sheliesun, Shilason, Shelisun, and Chelisun, was one of several terms used in antiquity to refer to the lynx, a small predatory beast. These animals were often brought along the Silk Road from the Western Regions and presented to the Tang court as tribute.
In appearance, the lynx resembles a cat, but is larger, with a sturdier build, longer limbs, a shorter tail, and pointed ears tipped with tufts of fur. It is also notably more ferocious. For this reason, Tang aristocrats frequently kept lynxes as hunting companions.
However, existing archaeological evidence and historical records cannot fully confirm that the animals kept during the Tang dynasty were the same as the lynx known today, nor whether they belonged to the same species as modern lynxes.