In traditional Chinese culture, the four sacred beasts – the green dragon, the white tiger, the vermilion bird, and the xuanwu – are regarded as symbols of auspiciousness. They were known in ancient times as the Four Elephants or the Four Spirits of Heaven and were the four guardian gods in ancient Chinese legends.
During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the ancients divided the starry sky along the ecliptic and near the equator into 28 Nakshatras according to astronomical observations, and divided them into four groups of east, west, south and north in combination with the four elephants, named after their shapes. Due to the habit of the ancient map of the south in the upper and the north in the bottom, it has been handed down that the left green dragon (east), the right white tiger (west), the former Vermilion Bird (south), and the rear Xuanwu (north) have been handed down.
It is recorded in the "Book of Rites: Qu Li": "The former Vermilion Bird and then the Xuanwu, the left green dragon and the right white tiger".By the Warring States Period, the Four Beasts incorporated the concepts of the Five Elements and Directions, represented by different colors:The eastern cyan is wood, the western white is gold, the southern red is fire, the northern black is water, and the yellow is earth.
In addition to representing directions, they are also regarded as sacred beasts in charge of the seasons, representing the four seasons of spring (green dragon), summer (vermilion bird), autumn (white tiger), and winter (xuanwu).
The green dragon symbolizes the vitality and vitality of spring"Huainanzi Tianwen Xun" said: "The green man goes out to the east, and he comes everywhere, so it is called the green dragon." The green dragon is in charge of the Oriental Jiayimu, which symbolizes vitality and is ready to go, just like the sprout of all things in spring. In traditional Chinese culture, the green dragon is regarded as an auspicious beast and has the function of warding off evil spirits.
The white tiger symbolizes strength and courageIt is recorded in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas": "The white tiger, the god of the south, is like a tiger with a white head, one foot, a human face, and the ears of the tiger." The White Tiger is in charge of the Western Gengxin Jin, presiding over the murderous and killing affairs, and also has the divine power of warding off evil, fighting disasters, praying for abundance, making fortune, and punishing evil and promoting good. In traditional Chinese culture, the white tiger is regarded as a ferocious beast that has the function of warding off evil spirits and suppressing evil.
Suzaku symbolizes the heat and vitality of summer, representing the south, belongs to the fire element, "Huainanzi Tianwenxun" mentions the Vermilion Bird: "The Vermilion Bird, the god of the south." The Suzaku is usually depicted as a red bird, which has auspicious, auspicious symbolic meanings. In traditional Chinese culture, the Vermilion Bird is regarded as an auspicious beast that has the function of warding off evil spirits.
Xuanwu symbolizes the cold and tranquility of winter, in charge of the northern non-deuce water, "Huainanzi Tianwenxun" called it the god of water: "Xuanwu, the god of the north, and the water reservoir." Legend has it that Xuanwu was able to manipulate the flow of rivers and lakes, so he was worshipped as the god of water conservancy. In traditional Chinese culture, Xuanwu symbolizes auspiciousness, longevity and protection.
Since the Tang and Song dynasties, the images of the four sacred beasts have been used as reliefs and patterns, and they are decorated at the end of the roof of the house, which is used to protect and guard the house, and has a clear symbolic symbolism.
Nowadays, the images of the four sacred beasts have been widely used in various fields such as art design, architectural decoration, sculpture and handicrafts, adding artistic and cultural connotations.
The four divine beasts perform their own duties, and the green dragon rules the east, representing vitality and hope; The white tiger guards the west, symbolizing strength and battle; The Vermilion Bird soars in the south, implying beauty and peace; Xuanwu guards the north, ruling wisdom and mystery. They jointly safeguard the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people, and have become an important belief of the Chinese nation. New Year's Creation Incentive Program