What does Xuanwu mean by the zodiac?

Xuanwu, one of the four celestial spirits in ancient China mythology, also known as tortoise and snake, originated from the worship of stars in ancient times, which means that Xuanwu in the north divided twenty-eight lodges into seven lodges according to the southeast and northwest. In the traditional culture of China, the four elephants refer to Qinglong, Baihu, Suzaku and Xuanwu, representing the east, west, north and south directions respectively. Xuanwu in the north is based on the eight diagrams and the main water in the five elements, symbolizing the old yin in the four elephants and the winter in the four seasons, and is also the land of heaven in the north.

The theory of divination rose in the Han Dynasty, and its symbolic significance was added to the underworld, non-decadence and wisdom. After the Han Dynasty, Taoism accepted him as the protector, calling him the Zhenwu Emperor of the Arctic (also known as the Demon Buddha), one of the four saints, ranking fourth and the head of the water god. It also represents Hei Di Zhuan Xu, one of the Five Emperors. It is believed that Qinglong, Baihu, Suzaku and Xuanwu created the world and are the masters of heaven and earth.

Extended data

In ancient mythology of China, the four great beasts were Qinglong, Baihu, Suzaku and Xuanwu. Xuanwu, also called Xuanming, is a combination of tortoise and snake. It is the water god, living in Beihai, and the tortoise lives long. Xuan Ming has become a symbol of immortality, and the underworld is also in the north, so it is the god of the north. On behalf of Zhuan Xu and the seven nights in the north, it is the northern god. Xuanwu, different from the other three gods, is called the God of Tian Xuan and the Emperor Zhenwu, and is the god worshipped by Taoism.

Xuanwu was upgraded by later Taoist priests to the great Zhenwu Emperor in the north. Different from the other three spirits. Other green dragons and white tigers only worked as gatekeepers of mountain temples, and Zhu Bird worked as Xuan Nv for nine days. The story of Zhenwu Emperor It is often said that during the reign of Yang Di, the Jade Emperor reincarnated one of his three souls into the Empress Lezheng and became a prince after birth. According to legend, the prince of King Gu Jingle came from a mighty family and traveled to the East China Sea. He was given a sword by the gods and went to Wudang Mountain in Hubei Province to practice. After 42 years of success, it rose during the day and became the Xuanwu king of Weizhen North.