Four Symbols

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The Si Ling (四霛/四灵) are four guardian beasts from Chinese mythology, also known as the Shishin (四神) or Shijin in the Japanese tradition of onmyodo. They are associated with the four directions of the sky, and each member of the Ssu Ling has seven constellations (known as seishuku (星宿) in Japan) associated with them. The Ssu Ling also correspond to the five elements or five phase cosmology in Chinese traditional philosophy, which is also used in Chinese medicine and martial arts. The Ssu Ling are:


Qīnglóng

Qīnglóng/Cānglóng (青龍/蒼龍)- the Blue Dragon Guardian of the East. Associated with spring, the colors green and blue (thought of as a single color), and the element of wood. Known in Japan as Seiryū, and in Korea as Chung Ryong. The dragon corresponds to the season spring, the color green/blue, the element wood, and the virtue propriety; supports and maintains the country (controls rain, symbol of the Emperor's power). Often paired with the Phoenix, for the two represent both conflict and wedded bliss. In both China and Japan, dragon and phoenix symbolism is associated closely with the imperial family -- the emperor (dragon) and the empress (phoenix).

Represents the yang principle; often portrayed surrounded by water or clouds. In Chinese mythology, there are five types of dragon: (1) the celestial dragons who guard the abodes of the gods; (2) dragon spirits, who rule over wind and rain but can also cause flooding; (3) earth dragons, who cleanse the rivers and deepen the oceans; (4) treasure-guarding dragons; and (5) imperial dragons, those with five claws instead of the usual four.

The Dragon's seven seishuku are: 

•      Su Boshi 
•      Ami Boshi 
•      Tomo Boshi 
•      Soi Boshi 
•      Nakago Boshi 
•      Ashitare Boshi 
•      Mi Boshi


Zhūqùe

Zhūqùe (朱雀)- the Red Bird Guardian of the South. Associated with summer, the color red, and the element of fire. Sometimes associated with Qinglong; together the phoenix and the dragon represent the give-and-take nature of a happy marriage. Known in Japan as Suzaku/Sujaku, as in Korea as Ju Jak.

In Japan, the term "Suzaku" is translated as "Red Bird" or "Red Chinese Phoenix." In both Japan and China, the symbolism of the red bird seems to be identical to or merged with that of the mythological Houou (Phoenix).

Corresponds to summer, red, fire, and knowledge; makes small seeds grow into giant trees (need to give source). Often paired with the dragon, for the two represent both conflict and wedded bliss; dragon (emperor) and phoenix (empress). Portrayed with radiant feathers, and an enchanting song; only appears in times of good fortune. Within the ancient Imperial Palace in Japan, there was a gate known as Suzakumon (Red Bird Gate).

The Phoenix's seven seishuku are: • Chichiri Boshi • Tamahome Boshi • Nuriko Boshi • Hotohori Boshi • Chiriko Boshi • Tasuki Boshi • Mitsukake Boshi


Báihǔ

Báihǔ (白虎)- White Tiger Guardian of the West. Associated with fall/autumn, the color white, and the element of metal. Known in Japan as Byakko, and in Korea as Baekho.

The White Tiger of the West, for instance, is associated with metal. When, therefore, metal is placed in a grave, a ceremonial connection with the tiger god is effected. According to the Chinese Annals of Wu and Yueh, three days after the burial of the king, the essence of the element metal assumed the shape of a white tiger and crouched down on the top of the grave. Here the tiger is a protector - a preserver. As we have seen, white jade was used when the Tiger god of the West was worshipped; it is known as 'tiger jade;' a tiger was depicted on the jade symbol. To the Chinese the tiger was the king of all animals and lord of the mountains, and the tiger-jade ornament was specially reserved for commanders of armies. The male tiger was, among other things, the god of war, and in this capacity it not only assisted the armies of the emperors, but fought the demons that threatened the dead in their graves

The Tiger's seven seishuku are: • Tokaki Boshi • Tatara Boshi • Ekie Boshi • Subaru Boshi • Amefuri Boshi • Toroki Boshi • Kagasuki Boshi

Xuánwǔ

Xuánwǔ (玄武)- Dark Warrior Guardian of the North. Associated with winter, the color black, and the element of water. Usually depicted as a turtle with a snake coiled around it. Known in Japan as Genbu, and in Korea as Hyun Moo.

Genbu in Japanese; in Chinese, known as Gui Xian, Kuei Hsien, or Zuan-Wu (Zheng We, Xuanwu). Genbu is always listening, and is thus portrayed as completely versed in Buddha's teachings; corresponds to winter, cold, water, black, earth, and faith. The tortoise is a symbol of a long life and happiness. When it becomes one thousand years old, it is able to speak the language of humans. Able to foretell the future. In artwork, often shown together with the snake. In Japan, however, the turtle has been largely supplanted by its Buddhist counterpart, known as Tamonten, the most popular and powerful of the Shitenno (the Four Buddhist Protectors of the Four Directions). Tamonten is also known as the Black Warrior and is also called Bishamonten; like the tortoise, his imagery corresponds to north, winter, and black.

One of the Celestial Emblems, the symbol of longevity and wisdom. It is said that its shell represents the vault of the universe. A common symbol for longevity is the Tortoise and Snake, whose union was thought to have engendered the universe. The reason why tortoise symbolism has been superseded by the Black Warrior as the emblem of the North, is probably due to the fact that 'tortoise' is a term of abuse.

The Tortoise's seven seishuku are: • Hikistu Boshi • Inami Boshi • Uruki Boshi • Tomite Boshi • Umiyame Boshi • Hatsui Boshi • Namame Boshi


Huánglóng

Huánglóng (黃龍)- the Yellow/Golden Dragon Guardian of the Center. Associated with the change of seasons, the color yellow, and the element of earth. Usually ignored in Japan (especially in popular comics and writing), but pronounced Ouryuu/Kouryuu (黄龍).


Japanese Usage

In Japan, the influence of the five Buddhist elements has obscured the origins of the Ssu Ling. Under this system, Byakko, the White Tiger, is connected with the element wind; Genbu, the Black Tortise, with earth; Seiryu, the Blue Dragon, with water; and Suzaku, the Red Phoenix, with fire. They were also conflated with the Buddhist Shitenno (who were themselves borrowed from Hinduism.) Under this system, Void is not personified.

Media References

References to the Ssu Ling are extremely common in anime and manga, as well as in video games. In general, however, many details are changed, and often mixed with Western mythological creatures (i.e. the phoenix, which is actually quite different from Zhuque), and of course Huanglong is completely ignored. A few examples include:

  • Anime series Kabuto, tell the stories of Kabuto who fought devil forces in ancient Japan. In his war, he was assisted by four guardians that bear the power of Ssu Ling.
  • The Four Saint Beasts are villains from Yu Yu Hakusho based on the Ssu Ling.
  • In Fushigi Yūgi, the main female character becomes a priestess of Suzaku, the phoenix god; Seiryu, Byakko, and Genbu are also gods in this cartoon and have their own priestesses.


  • In the Cowboy BeBop episode "Boogie-Woogie Feng Shui", the gods are referred to as Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Red Phoenix, and Snake and Tortoise, used as an indication of location.


  • Beyblade's four main players used Bit Beasts based on the Ssu Ling.
  • Samurai Deeper Kyo. The four beasts are the names of the four sub sets of the main character Demon Eyes Kyo's Swordfighting school the Mumyojinpu. They are also the most powerful techniques of their relevant sub sets. 'Suzaku' is the name of Kyo's strongest technique in the anime.
  • Kingdom of Paradise. Four clans are named after the beasts however an additional clan Kirin is added and represents the center. The four beasts are also shown in the game.
  • Onimusha contains a puzzle in which the solutions lies in matching the colours and beasts. As well, Onimusha Tactics featured four characters that corresponded to the four beasts.
  • According to Ken Akamatsu, creator of Love Hina, there are animals representing each of the Ssu Ling in the original manga: Onsen Tamago, the turtle who lives in the Hinata House hot springs, represents Genbu; Kanako's cat Kuro represents Byakko; Shippu, the bird owned by Motoko's sister, represents Suzaku; and Ema Maeda's pet iguana represents Seiryuu.
  • In the MMORPG Final Fantasy XI, Suzaku, Seiryu, Byakko, and Genbu were featured as special enemies in the Rise of the Zilart expansion. The follow-up expansion, Chains of Promathia, added another special monster named Ouryu (although in a completely different area of the game's world).
  • Gen-Bu, Sei-Ryu, Byak-ko, and Su-Zaku (respectively) are four of six (the other two being Ashura and Creator) bosses in Final Fantasy Legend for the Nintendo Gameboy. Each of these four bosses inhabits a world that reflects their element: Gen-Bu lives in a medieval world, Sei-Ryu in an ocean world, Byak-ko in a cloud world, and Su-Zaku in a post-apocalyptic world. Each boss guards a sphere of the appropriate color: Gen-Bu (black), Sei-Ryu (blue), Byak-ko (white), and Su-Zaku (red). Also noteworthy is that these bosses have little respect for humans.
  • In the Nintendo Gamecube game Lost Kingdoms there are four powerful cards that are based on the four legendary beasts, they are a white tiger found in a forest, blue dragon found in a water temple, red phoniex in a fire temple and black turtle in a pyramid.
  • In the game Shenmue 2 for Xbox there is a puzzle where you must find four keys in an office they are designed like the four divine beasts.
  • A puzzle in Killer7 requires matching the beasts with their guarded directions.
  • The number two of Yukishiro Enishi's crime organization in Rurouni Kenshin has four bodyguards that later on reveal themselves as Suzaku, Seiryu, Byakko and Genbu, four expert martial artists from China.
  • In the game Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assasins for the Sony Playstation console, four antagonists known as the Lords of the Burning Dawn are representations of the Ssu Ling. Genbu, Suzaku, Seiryu, and Byakko are all lieutenants of Lady Kagami and repeatedly attempt to foil the plans of the player's ninja characters. Interestingly, Suzaku, the "Red Sparrow", is 'reborn' at the end of the game. This character becomes Onikage, a major antagonist in Tenchu: Stealth Assassins.
  • In Yami no Matsuei (also known as Descendants of Darkness) the main character has twelve shikigami fighting by his side. Suzaku, Byakko, Seiryuu and Genbu are also part of the group, the first two getting more screentime than the others.

Article on the Ssu-ling

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