Haetae

I couldn't came up with something better. I think I've got artistic block... X_x

Aaaaanyways, that's for Mythical Blind Date Contest:
[link]

According to Wikipedia.org :
" [...] In Chinese and Korean mythology, the haetae (often spelled haitai) is a legendary creature which resembles a lion but is, in fact, a fire-eating dog. It is believed as a guardian against disaster and prejudice.
It has the body of a lion, and occasionally is depicted with a unicorn-like horn.
The haetae is also to be a symbol of water, due to their fire-eating qualities, and a symbol of justice."

... And according to Google Answers:
"The large nose sniffs for hidden iniquity or distant smoke. The big, luminous eyes stare alert into the middle distance, concerned not with what is but with what will be. The cavernous mouth with overshot lower jaw fastens like a bulldog on the past, not letting it go. The well-bred haetae is a thoughtful, even intuitive creature. Enemy of change, it is no fan of newborn things; it will eat a child who gets too close. It can challenge time itself, bite the sun or moon, and create an eclipse.”


I didn't follow that description too good... Oh well...
I had fun with those swirly things I also experimented a bit with effects in GIMP.

Background was made by using various brushes from gallery.