[4.3] What's the deal with Zhongli? - A Genshin Impact Theory

With Lantern Rite coming up as well as a collaboration with the Sanxingdui Museum, I thought now would be a good time to revisit one of the oldest characters in Teyvat: Zhongli! Who is he? WHAT is he!? Is he a dragon? A shade of the Primordial One?? I think it's time to investigate!

(Reuploaded to fix some egregious audio glitches that somehow made it through the review process.)

Cristal Marie (  / cristalmarie  ) provided a lot of information and observations referenced in this theory. Big thanks to her!

*TIMESTAMPS*
00:00 Introduction
01:22 Morax
11:00 Quincunx
16:14 Solar Chariot

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*MORE INFORMATION*
Azhdaha: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wik...
Neuvillette: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wik...
Juvenile Jade: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wik...
Rex Lapis: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wik...
Zhongli: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wik...
Deshret: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wik...
Zhongli Story Quest: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wik...
Liyue Shrine of the Depths Key: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wik...
Heart’s Desire (Crystal Heart): https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wik...
Developer Insights (Crystal Heart): https://genshin.hoyoverse.com/en/news...
Solar Chariot: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wik...
Song of Stillness: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wik...
Ballad of the Fjords: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wik...
Jiu: https://genshin-impact.fandom.com/wik...

Emperor of China: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor...
Leviathan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leviathan
Behemoth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behemoth
Behemot: https://thebiblenet.blogspot.com/2016...
Morax: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morax_(...)
Apis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apis_(d...)
Apis: https://www.worldhistory.org/Apis/
Solomon’s Knot: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon...
Quincunx: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincunx
Amon & Decarabia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
Gold: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold
Archosaur: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archosaur
Stellated Octahedron (merkhaba): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellat...
Rub el Hizb: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rub_el_...