|
HISTORICAL
NOTES
At the heart of Chinese mythology are four spiritual
creatures (Sì Shòu )
The Han Dynasty Chinese cosmologists distinguished Four Creatures of the
World and since then have become deeply rooted in Chinese mythology. These
animals are the Green
Dragon, White Tiger, Red Phoenix ,
Tortoise & Snakeskin
Each creature
represents one of the four world directions, seasons, and "elements".
Sometimes there are five animals because every once in a while the snake
will be depicted with the Black Tortoise.
(The Phoenix- S , The Green Dragon- E ,
The Tortoise- N , The White Tiger- W) |
|