Four Holy Beasts

The Four Holy Beasts (四靈、四聖獸、or 四大神獸) are Chinese astronomical and cultural Four Benevolent Animals that are spread in the East Asian cultural sphere. They are mentioned in the Chinese classic Book of Rites^[1] and includes the Dragon (龍) in the East, the Qilin (麟) in the West, the Turtle (龜) in the North, and the Phoenix (鳳) in the South.

Differences

Phoenix depicted at the Longshan temple, Taiwan

The Four Holy Beasts differs from Four Symbols in that Qilin replaces the White Tiger. The Four Symbols are the Azure Dragon (青龍) in the East, White Tiger (白虎) in the West, Vermilion Bird (朱雀) in the South, and the Black Tortoise (玄武) in the North.

Regional examples

Vietnam

In Ho Chi Minh City, there are four areas named after the beasts in Suối Tiên Park. They are the Thủy Long(水龍) Palace, the Kỳ Lân(麒麟) Palace, the Kim Quy(金龜) Lake, and the Phượng Hoàng(鳳凰) Palace.

China

Summer Palace has statues of the four Beasts.

Korea

Patterns of the four holy beasts are found in Bronze mirrors of the Goryeo dynasty and Pottery.^[2]

Gallery

Qilin statue at the imperial Summer Palace of the Qing dynasty.
(麒麟)
Phoenix
(鳳凰)
Turtle
(龜)
Dragon
(龍)
The altar drawing the Four Holy Beasts at Giác Hải Temple

References

^ Liji "Liyun (The conveyance of rite" / Ceremonial usages; their origins, development, and intention)" 23. quote: "何謂四靈？麟鳳龜龍，謂之四靈。" translation based on James Legge's: "What were the four numinous creatures? They were the lin, the feng, the tortoise, and the dragon."
^ "사령문". Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.

[1] Liji "Liyun (The conveyance of rite" / Ceremonial usages; their origins, development, and intention)" 23. quote: "何謂四靈？麟鳳龜龍，謂之四靈。" translation based on James Legge's: "What were the four numinous creatures? They were the lin, the feng, the tortoise, and the dragon."

[2] "사령문". Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.

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