The four mythical beasts in Chinese mythology, namely the green dragon, the white tiger, the vermilion bird, and the Xuanwu, are highly symbolic beasts in ancient Chinese culture, each of which carries a unique metaphor and symbol, reflecting the ancients' understanding of the natural laws of the universe and their yearning for a harmonious society.
Green Dragon, the god of the East, symbolizes spring and the element of wood. It represents vitality and growth, and is a symbol of new life and hope. In the five elements, the green dragon corresponds to wood, which symbolizes growth and flexibility, which is in line with the oriental orientation and the characteristics of spring. The image of the green dragon encourages people to be proactive and meet challenges in the new year, while also reminding people to be like trees and to be resilient even in the face of adversity.
White Tiger, the god of the West, symbolizes autumn and the golden element. It represents strength, bravery, and justice. In the five elements, the white tiger corresponds to gold, which symbolizes change and tenacity. Often associated with military and warfare, the image of the white tiger reminds people to have courage and determination in the face of difficulties and challenges, while also symbolizing law and order and upholding social justice.
Suzaku, the god of the south, symbolizes the elements of summer and fire. It represents passion, dynamism, and change. In the five elements, the Suzaku corresponds to fire, which symbolizes enthusiasm and light. The image of Suzaku encourages people to have enthusiasm and passion to pursue their dreams, while also symbolizing wisdom and insight to light the way forward.
Xuanwu, the god of the north, symbolizes the elements of winter and water. It represents steadyness, depth, and wisdom. In the five elements, Xuanwu corresponds to water, which symbolizes flow and adaptation. The image of Xuanwu reminds people to remain calm and adaptable in a changing world, while also symbolizing deep knowledge and inner strength.
The legends of the four divine beasts are not only the worship of the natural world, they are also a metaphor for the ancient people's understanding of the order of the universe. In ancient China, it was believed that the universe was made up of the five elements of yin and yang, and that the four divine beasts represented the balance of these five basic elements. This concept of balance has influenced many fields such as Chinese philosophy, medicine, and feng shui, and embodies the wisdom of the ancients in pursuing harmonious coexistence.
On a personal level, the story of the Four Divine Beasts inspires people to strive for excellence in their respective fields, while also emphasizing the importance of teamwork. Just as the four divine beasts each protect one side, people should also play their own role in society and jointly maintain social harmony and order.
Through the multi-faceted analysis of the four sacred beasts, we can see the deep insight into nature, the universe and society in ancient Chinese culture, as well as the unremitting pursuit of balance, harmony and wisdom. The images and stories of these mythical beasts still hold an important place in Chinese culture today, inspiring people to find balance and harmony in modern life.