Legend has it that “the Temple of Heaven is inhabited by an old fox”. The fox is not only an animal, but also a spirit. Such legends are associated with the Divine Music Administration in the Temple of Heaven and Taoist culture.

Five Assorted Offerings written by Xie Zhaozhe, a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations during the Wanli reign of the Ming dynasty, includes a story about a white-bearded old man transformed from a fox; the old man haunted the Temple of Divine Music, and was subdued by a Taoist. Also, a legend from the late Qing dynasty says that the music played by a fox spirit could be heard from the Temple of Heaven at midnight.