四し象しょう

noun

Four Symbols; four images

In Chinese cosmology and East Asian philosophy, the four mythical creatures associated with the cardinal directions: Azure Dragon (east), Vermilion Bird (south), White Tiger (west), and Black Tortoise (north). Also used in I Ching and other divination contexts to refer to four emblematic phases or phenomena.

• 四し象しょうは青せい龍りゅう、朱す雀ざく、白びゃっ虎こ、玄げん武ぶの四し神しんを指さす。

  The Four Symbols refer to the four guardian deities: Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise.

• 易えき経きょうでは、四し象しょうは太たい極きょくから生しょうじる四よっつの基き本ほんパターンとされる。

  In the I Ching, the Four Images are considered the four basic patterns arising from the Supreme Ultimate.