Four Symbols (Chinese constellation)

The Four Symbols are four creatures in the Chinese constellations. They also appear in Korean mythology. They are:

*

*

*

*



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, and also appear in as well as modern Japanese and .



These Four Symbols were given human names after Daoism became popular. Azure Dragon has the name Meng 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 :



* : Wood

* : Fire

* : Metal

* : Water



Additionally, there is a fifth legendary beast, Huáng-lóng , or the . The cardinal direction associated with this animal is "centre," and its element is Earth.

Correspondence with the Four Seasons

The four legendary beasts represent a season each. The seasons they represent are as follows:

* : Spring

* : Summer

* : Autumn/Fall

* : Winter