Xiangqi (Chinese chess) is a traditional two-player strategy board game originating in China over 2,000 years ago. The name literally combines 象 (xiàng), meaning 'elephant', and 棋 (qí), meaning 'chess' or 'board game'. Though 'elephant' appears in the name, the piece it refers to moves differently than the Western chess bishop — it cannot cross the river and is confined to its own side of the board. This reflects historical military roles and regional symbolism rather than literal animal behavior.

Xiangqi is deeply embedded in Chinese culture: you’ll often see players gathered in parks, teahouses, or community centers, especially among older adults. It’s played on a 9×10 grid with pieces placed on intersections (not squares), and features unique elements like the ‘palace’ for generals and the ‘river’ dividing the board. While not a zoological term, the inclusion of 象 links it to the Animals topic due to the character’s primary meaning and its symbolic role in the game’s iconography and naming convention.