Four Symbols (Chinese constellation)

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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)
• Vermilion Bird of the South (朱雀)
• White Tiger of the West (白虎)
• 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 animations.

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.

[edit] See also

• Chinese constellation
• Chinese astrology
• Five elements
• Four Heavenly Kings
• Onmyodo
• List of popular culture references to the Four Symbols

[edit] External links

• 28 Chinese Constellations

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)