四し神じん

noun

Four Symbols; Four Guardian Gods

Refers to the four mythological creatures in Chinese and East Asian cosmology: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise. They are associated with the four cardinal directions and sometimes the four seasons.

See also: 青龍 · 白虎 · 朱雀 · 玄武

• 四し神じんは東ひがしの青せい龍りゅう、西にしの白びゃっ虎こ、南みなみの朱す雀ざく、北きたの玄げん武ぶからなる。

  The Four Symbols consist of the Azure Dragon of the East, the White Tiger of the West, the Vermilion Bird of the South, and the Black Tortoise of the North.

• 古こ代だい中ちゅう国ごくでは、四し神じんが四し季きを司つかさどると考かんがえられていた。

  In ancient China, the Four Symbols were believed to govern the four seasons.