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February 19, 2017

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Home » Sunday » Now and Then

China’s guardians of the galaxy

By Zhang Qian | February 19, 2017, Sunday | Print Edition

IN Chinese myths, four powerful animals guarded the four sides of ancient China. The four animals are thought to have been based on astrology-based beliefs, and then were gradually enriched as vivid protectors of the land and its people.

The four beasts are Qing Long (Azure Dragon), the guardian of the East; Bai Hu (White Tiger), the guardian of the West; Zhu Que (Vermilion Bird), the guardian of the South; and Xuan Wu (Black Warrior), the guardian of the North. This quartet originated from the 28 xingxiu (“mansions”) in the Chinese constellation system.

These mansions are in some way equivalent to the zodiacal constellations in Western astronomy, though they reflect the movement of the moon through a sidereal month rather than the sun in a tropical manner.

Ancient Chinese astronomers divided the sky into four regions and four directions, collectively known as the “Four Symbols.” And the seven mansions found in every symbol each compose one of the four legendary guardians.

Images of the four animal guards were discovered on a tomb at Xishuipo in Puyang, Henan Province, in 1987. They were dated to the Neolithic Age, about 6,000 years ago.

With such images later widely used in Taoism, the four mythical animals were enriched with individual characteristics and origin stories.

Azure Dragon 青龙

Azure Dragon guards the east. This is an all-mighty creature, capable of dispelling evil. Its image is widely found on tombs and in law courts as a symbol of protection.

Azure Dragon was elaborated by Chinese philosophic theories of the “five elements” which divide everything in the universe into the categories of metal, wood, water, fire and earth. The Azure Dragon in the east, according to such theories, represents the wood element, and spring.

In the novel “Tales of the Tang Dynasty,” the reincarnation of the Azure Dragon’s star is said to be the rebellious General who served Wang Shichong.

White Tiger 白虎

The tiger, according to ancient Chinese beliefs, is a terrifying yet honorable creature. This fierce animal eats humans, yet at the same time is believed to dispel evil. Painting tigers on gates was a custom in the Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220) intended to frighten away ghosts and demons, and thus prevent their entry into households.

White Tiger is thought to be divine and thus more powerful than your ordinary big cat. Legend suggests that the tiger’s fur only turns white when it reaches 500 years old. It was also said that the white tiger would only appear when the emperor ruled with absolute virtue, or if peace reigned throughout the world.

White Tiger is often depicted together with Azure Dragon when used to ward off evil. In tombs and law courts, the Azure Dragon usually appears on the left, while the White Tiger stands on the right.

The White Tiger is also worshipped as a god of war. Valiant generals like Luo Cheng and Xue Rengui in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) were said to have been reincarnations of White Tiger. According to five elements theory, White Tiger represents the metal and fall, as it features a somber and desolate character.

Vermilion Bird 朱雀

Vermilion Bird resembles a flame-covered pheasant. It is an elegant and noble bird in both appearance and demeanor. It is very selective in what it eats and where it perches. It has feathers in many different hues of vermilion.

Vermilion Bird is often mistaken for the fenghuang, a mythical bird similar to the Phoenix from Western mythology. This Chinese firebird was thought to have been the ruler of all birds, and was widely used as a symbol for the Chinese empress — just as the dragon was a symbol for the emperor.

According to five elements theory, Vermilion Bird in the south represents the fire element and summer featuring prosperity.

Black Warrior 玄武

Black Warrior guards the north. Instead of a single creature, Black Warrior is often depicted as a turtle entwined with a snake.

Just as the tortoise symbolized longevity in ancient China, Black Warrior was also a symbol for long life. And as both the tortoise and snake live in the water, Black Warrior is also worshiped as a god that can manipulate waters.

As indicated in five elements theory, Black Warrior represents the water element and winter, featuring restrain and conservation.

In some Chinese palaces, the northern gates were often named Xuanwu, after the Black Warrior. Li Shimin, the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty, killed his brothers at the Xuanwu Gate of Taiji Palace as he seized power in a coup. This event was recorded as “the Incident at Xuanwu Gate.”

Now and Then


 

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