Introduction of The Four Deities-Symbol of Auspice in Ancient Times

In ancient China, people considered the kylin (麒麟), the phoenix (凤凰), the tortoise and the dragon as sagacious animals, calling them the “Four Deities” as the symbol of propitious omen. In fact, besides the tortoise, the other three are legendary animals created by ancient Chinese.

The legendary kylin looks like a deer and its body covered all over with scales, one horn on the head, horse‘s feet and an ox’s tail. It is considered as an animal of morals and benevolence and all previous monarchs considered it symbolic of times of peace and prosperity. The kylin can be found in the emperor’s dwellings and gardens in the Imperial Palace and the Summer Palace in Beijing, either made of copper or stone. The Chinese people also think highly of the kylin. In the Spring Festival, individuals living south of the Yangtze River regularly bring along a paper kylin to express their all the best to others. There is also a legend of “Kylin Sending a Son” in China: On one side, people use the kylin to symbolize promising descendents; and on the other, they wish to have a son soon and see the family flourish.

The phoenix wears a delightful crest and multi-coloured plumage; it is an envisioned bird of auspicious which combining features of many birds and animals. The phoenix is the king of all birds in Chinese legends, which indicates auspiciousness, peace and good government. Together with the dragon, the phoenix is a symbol of power and dignity by ancient monarchs. At that old time, anything that related like phoenix coronet, phoenix cart could only be used by the royal family and immortals. Later, the phoenix has become the mascot of ordinary people at last. Particularly in traditional Chinese weddings, the phoenix becomes an ornament on the bride’s wedding dress and headdress, representing auspiciousness and festive rejoicing. The pheonix is normally used with other mascots to form new patterns, such as “Prosperity Brought by the Dragon and the Phoenix” and “Prosperity Brought by the Phoenix and the Kylin”, both of them are symbolizing that everything is as lucky as one would wish.

The tortoise is the only existing animal among the four deities, and also the animal having the longest life. People not only see the tortoise as a symbol of health and longevity, but also believe that it has the sagacity foresee the future. In ancient times, before important activities were held, a wizard would roast a tortoise shell and then practice divination according to the way the lines split on it. Therefore, people call the tortoise the “divine tortoise” or “sagacious tortoise”. The divine tortoise was highly respected in ancient China. In the imperial palace and residences of ancient monarchs, there were stone or copper tortoises to symbolize the longevity of the destiny.

The dragon is considered the largest divine animal in China, and it’s most popular mascot. In this case, the dragon has an ox head, deer’s horn, shrimp’s eyes, eagle’s claws, snake’s body and lion’s tail; its body is covered with scales, and it is really a combination of many animals. As people imagine, the dragon can walk on land, swim in water and fly in the clouds, with inexhaustible magical power. For thousands of years, feudal monarchs held it as the symbol of power and dignity, and ordinary people believed that is was embodiment of virtue and strength. Thus, the dragon can be found everywhere in China. The roofs of palaces and temples, and the furniture of the royal family were all carved or drawn with a dragon. On festive occasions, ordinary people put up pictures of the dragon, dance with a dragon lantern and row a dragon boat. People like to name their children with the Chinese character of the dragon. The dragon has become the symbol of the Chinese nation. Also, all the Chinese over the world usually they will think themselves as the “offspring of the dragon”.