Four Symbols of Chinese constellation (四象)
Alternative Names (異名):
四象, Sì Xiàng, Four Symbols of Chinese constellation
The Four Symbols (Chinese: 四象; pinyin: Sì Xiàng) are four mythological creatures in the Chinese constellations. They are:
Azure Dragon of the East (青龍)
White Tiger of the West (白虎)
Vermillion Bird of the South (朱雀)
Black Tortoise of the North (玄武)
Each one of them represents a direction and a season of the year, and each has its own individual characteristics and origins. They have been portrayed in many historical Chinese myths and fiction, as well as modern Japanese comic books and animation.
These Four Symbols were given human names after Daoism became popular. Azure Dragon has the name Mang Zhang 孟章; Vermilion Bird is Ling Guang 陵光; White Tiger is Jian Bing 監兵; Black Tortoise is Zhi Ming 執明.
Correspondence with the Five Elements
Each of these mythological creatures has also been synthesized into the 5 element system:
Azure Dragon of the East (青龍): Wood
Vermilion Bird of the South (朱雀): Fire
White Tiger of the West (白虎): Metal
Black Tortoise of the North (玄武): Water
Additionally, there is a fifth legendary beast, Huáng-lóng (黃龍), or the Yellow Dragon of the Center. The cardinal direction associated with this animal is "center," and its element is Earth.
Correspondence with the Four Seasons
The four legendary beasts (excluding Huáng-lóng; see above) represent a season each. The seasons they represent are as follows:
Azure Dragon of the East (青龍): Spring
Vermilion Bird of the South (朱雀): Summer
White Tiger of the West (白虎): Autumn/Fall
Black Tortoise of the North (玄武): Winter
Chinese constellations
Three enclosures (三垣):
Purple Forbidden enclosure (紫微垣) | Supreme Palace enclosure (太微垣) | Heavenly Market enclosure (天市垣)
Four Symbols (四象) and Twenty-eight mansions (二十八宿):
East: Azure Dragon (青龍): Horn (角) | Neck (亢) | Root (氐) | Room (房) | Heart (心) | Tail (尾) | Winnowing Basket (箕)
South: Vermilion Bird (朱雀): Well (井) | Ghost (鬼) | Willow (柳) | Star (星) | Extended Net (張) | Wings (翼) | Chariot (軫)
West: White Tiger (白虎): Legs (奎) | Bond (婁) | Stomach (胃) | Hairy Head (昴) | Net (畢) | Turtle Beak (觜) | Three Stars (參)
North: Black Tortoise (玄武): Dipper (斗) | Ox (牛) | Girl (女) | Emptiness (虛) | Rooftop (危) | Encampment (室) | Wall (壁)
See also
Chinese constellation
Chinese astrology
Five elements
Four Heavenly Kings
Onmyodo
Twenty-eight mansions (二十八宿)
Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_mythology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Chinese_mythology
Chinese mythology | Chinese constellations | Chinese astronomy | Japanese legendary creatures | Chinese astrology | Astrological signs | Chinese mythology stubs | Japanese mythology stubs
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