All About China

Azure Dragon

The Azure Dragon (traditional Chinese: 青龍; simplified Chinese: 青龙;) is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. It is sometimes called the Azure Dragon of the East, and it represents the east and the spring season. It should not be confused with the mythological yellow dragon that is associated with the Emperor of China.

Vermilion Bird

The Vermilion Bird (Chinese: 朱雀) is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. According to Wu Xing, the Taoist five-elemental system, it represents the fire-elemental, the direction of south, and the season summer correspondingly. Thus it is sometimes called the Vermilion Bird of the South. It is often mistaken for Fenghuang, but they are two different creatures. Fenghuang is the king of birds, while the Vermilion Bird is a mythological spirit creature of the Chinese constellations.

White Tiger

The White Tiger (Chinese: 白虎) is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. It is sometimes called the White Tiger of the West, and it represents the west and the autumn season.

Black Tortoise

The Black Tortoise (Chinese: 玄武) is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. The word for "tortoise" was taboo; and the entire entity is not just the tortoise itself, but both the tortoise and the snake. It is sometimes called the Black Warrior of the North, and it represents the north and the winter season. Although its name in is often translated as Black Tortoise in English, it is usually depicted as both a tortoise and a snake, specifically with the snake coiling around the tortoise.