Yegren (Old Turkic: 𐰘𐰏𐰼𐰤 - yegren; Turkmen: ceren; Turkish: ceren; Fuyu Kyrgyz: cérin) is ultimately derived from Turkic *[gʲ]egren or *jegren "gazelle, deer, antelope; yellow (of a horse)." At an early date, it may have been borrowed by the people of the Central States as (qi)lin (麒)麟 *(ɡə)-rin, a mythical horned beast. It is a loan in proto-Mongolic as *d͡ʒeːren "gazelle." 

Like many mythological and legendary creatures, it does not have a fixed appearance. Sometimes, it appears as a gazelle or deer. Other times, it resembles the Chinese qirin. The Xuŋa  were known to revere the Yegren. 

Occurrences

Getica

"This cruel tribe (the Huns), as Priscus the historian relates, settled on the farther bank of the Maeotic swamp. They were fond of hunting and had no skill in any other art. After they had grown to a nation, they disturbed the peace of neighboring races by theft and rapine. At one time, while hunters of their tribe were as usual seeking for game on the farthest edge of Maeotis, they saw a doe unexpectedly appear to their sight and enter the swamp, acting as guide of the way; now advancing and again standing still. The hunters followed and crossed on foot the Maeotic swamp, which they had supposed was impassable as the sea. Presently the unknown land of Scythia disclosed itself and the doe disappeared. ...They returned to their tribe, told them what had happened, praised Scythia and persuaded the people to hasten thither along the way they had found by the guidance of the doe."

[Getica] De origine actibusque Getarum - 24,122-26

(Mierow, 1908) 

Depictions