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Blind but omnipotent mountain god
Shuhe Huang’s character design for the mountain god Jiaochong is a haunting reimagining of an ancient myth brought vividly to life through a sharp visual language. Developed during a project at Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Huang’s work draws from Shan Hai Jing - the Classic of Mountains and Seas, a foundational text in Chinese mythology. Rooted in this lore, the design captures the otherworldly presence of a forgotten deity while delivering it through a lens of modern creative expression.
Jiaochong is not the kind of god that comforts. Blind and two-headed, covered in roots and twisted vines, it exudes a presence that’s both unnatural and commanding. The blindness is symbolic, not a flaw which suggests a god that sees beyond human perception. Its form is distorted, its posture imposing, seated atop a throne of dead wood. Every detail reinforces its domain: ancient forests, remote mountains, and forces far older than civilization.
The color palette tells its own story. Muted and cold, with heavy use of murky greens and grays, it communicates decay, detachment, and timelessness. There’s no effort to make the deity likable or attractive instead, it is respected, even feared. There’s no effort to make the deity likable or attractive instead, it is respected, even feared. A heart clutched in one hand becomes a central focal point, hinting at dominion over life, death, or perhaps sacrifice.
Large prayer beads hang from its neck, nodding to spiritual symbolism without fully revealing their meaning. Every element of the design adds weight and ambiguity, leaving room for the viewer’s imagination to linger.
What elevates this work is its dual mastery of traditional reference and technical execution. Huang uses both 2D and 3D approaches to render the character, ensuring consistency across forms and a full realization of the concept from every angle. The blending of digital tools with cultural storytelling ensures Jiaochong feels mythic, not merely designed.
This character is built with the kind of depth and atmosphere that fits naturally into narrative-driven media like games and animated worlds. Huang’s approach reflects a broader trend in digital art, where traditional folklore is used not as static reference but as a starting point for new creative expression.
Jiaochong feels rooted in myth but shaped for today’s visual storytelling. Its presence carries weight, tension, and a certain unease, less a divine protector and more a force to be reckoned with, shaped by centuries of forgotten stories and reimagined for a modern audience.
Credits
Entry Title: Mountain God Game Character Design
Entrant Name: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Winning Category: Innovation in Design - 3D Model Design
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