What are the four spirits mentioned by the ancients?

Many "Four Spirits and Four Beasts" on the Internet are traditional auspicious things in China, and they are the representatives of special culture in China auspicious culture. Their legends and use in various parts of China have a very long history. However, there is a difference between the four spirits and the four beasts. According to the Book of Rites: "Lin, phoenix, turtle and dragon are collectively called the four spirits." These four animals are: Qinglong, Baihu, Suzaku and Xuanwu.

What are the four spirits?

In ancient China, Kirin, Phoenix, tortoise and dragon were regarded as spirit beasts, so they were called the Four Spirits and regarded as auspicious symbols. In fact, except the tortoise, the other three are legendary animals, all created by people's own imagination.

The legendary unicorn is like a deer, covered with scales, with unicorn on its head, meatballs on its horns, horseshoes on its feet and oxtail on its tail. Kirin is regarded as a benevolent beast with virtue, and emperors of past dynasties regarded it as a symbol of peace and prosperity. Kirin can be seen in the residence and gardens of Emperor Tongzong in Beijing, including bronze casting and stone carving. In the folk, Kirin is also highly valued. During the Spring Festival, people from all over southern China often carry paper-tied Kirin to perform in front of various houses to express their good wishes. In addition, in China, there is a legend of "Kirin sending a child". On the one hand, people use Kirin to symbolize promising offspring; On the other hand, it also expresses the hope of early birth and prosperity.

Phoenix has a beautiful crest on its head and colorful feathers. It is an imaginary image that combines the characteristics of many birds and animals. Phoenix is the legendary "king of birds" in China, symbolizing auspiciousness, peace and political clarity. Phoenix, like dragon, is regarded as a symbol of power and dignity by emperors of past dynasties. Phoenix-related things, such as rockhopper and phoenix car, can only be used by royalty and immortals. However, later, Phoenix became the mascot of the people. Especially in the traditional wedding in China, the wind has become the decoration on the bride's dress and headdress, representing auspiciousness and celebration. Phoenix is also widely used in traditional folk patterns, meaning auspicious and safe. Phoenix is also often combined with other mascots to form patterns, such as "Dragon and Phoenix with the same design" and "Phoenix is auspicious", which is also a symbol of good luck.

Turtle is the only animal among the four spirits and has the longest life. People not only regard the tortoise as a symbol of health and longevity, but also think that it has the spirituality to predict the future. In ancient times, before major events were held, wizards would burn tortoise shells, and then divine good or bad luck according to the crackling lines on the tortoise shells. Therefore, people call turtles "god turtles" and "spirit turtles". Turtles were once greatly respected in China. In the palaces, houses and tombs of ancient emperors, turtles cast in stone or bronze symbolize the country's long-term good luck.

The dragon is considered as the biggest god and mascot in China. People are familiar with the image of dragons, but no one has ever seen a real dragon. Dragon, like phoenix and unicorn, is a fictional animal. It has a bull's head, antlers, shrimp eyes, claws, a snake body, a lion's tail, and scales all over it. It is made up of many animals. In people's imagination, dragons can walk on the ground, swim in the water and fly in the clouds, which is full of infinite power. For thousands of years, feudal emperors regarded it as a symbol of power and dignity, and ordinary people also regarded it as the embodiment of virtue and strength, and it was an auspicious thing. So dragons can be seen everywhere in China. On the roofs of palaces, temples and royal vessels, dragons are carved and painted everywhere; On holidays, the old Bai surname will also post dragon patterns, dance dragon lanterns and row dragon boats; I would like to use the word "dragon" to name my child. As the biggest mascot in the "Four Spirits", the dragon has become a symbol of the Chinese nation. People in China all over the world consider themselves "descendants of the dragon".

In the long river of auspicious culture in China, many auspicious items have brought auspiciousness and encouragement to human beings in different historical periods, and also produced and enriched human civilization. Up to now, auspicious patterns of dragons and phoenixes and auspicious art are still the most popular. In people's lives, the images and concepts of dragons and phoenixes have penetrated into various fields, such as China's architectural culture, auspicious festivals and some customs.