They are the Azure Dragon of the East, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West, and the Black Tortoise (also called 'Black Warrior') of the North. These four creatures are also referred to by a variety of other names, including ' Four Guardians', ' Four Gods', and ' Four Auspicious Beasts'. 'four images'), are four mythological creatures appearing among the Chinese constellations along the ecliptic, and viewed as the guardians of the four cardinal directions. The Four Symbols ( Chinese: 四 象 pinyin: Sì Xiàng lit.
Neidan Illustration of Bringing Together the Four Symbols 和合四象圖, 1615 Xingming guizhi Clockwise from top left: Black Tortoise of the North, Azure Dragon of the East, Vermilion Bird of the South and White Tiger of the West
