The Chinese, Japanese, Korean and even Vietnamese all meet in view when they look to the 4 guardians of the Compass. To the Chinese, they are known as Shishen while to the Japanese they are called Shijin. But it really doesn’t matter which you know it as because at the end of it all, you are referring to same four legendary celestial beasts- each responsible to guard a direction on the compass.

The four celestial guardians are:

4 Guardians of the Compass (Picture credit: Xiyu)

• Black Tortoise of the North (玄武,현무)
  • Known as Genbu in Japanese and in Chinese, known as Gui Xian
  • Guardian of the North and winter
  • Corresponds to the colour black and the element of water
  • symbol of a long life and happiness
• Vermillion Bird of the South (朱雀,주작)
  • Known as Suzaku in Japanese and Zheque in Chinese
  • Guards the South and summer
  • Corresponds to the colour red and the element of fire
• Azure Dragon of the East (青龍,청룡)
  • Known as Ryuu or Seiryuu in Japanese and as Qinglong in Chinese.
  • Guards the East and Spring
  • Corresponds to the colours green & blue and the element of wood
• White Tiger of the West (白虎,백호)
  • Known as Byakko in Japanese and Baihu in Chinese.
  • Guardian of the West and autumn/fall
  • Corresponds to the colours of white and the element of metal

Originally posted 2008-11-02 10:18:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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