Four geomantic beasts

In ancient China, the study of astronomy and various ephemeris was very dreamy. Because people at that time had a certain understanding of astronomy, but their thoughts were not completely divorced from the theory of ghosts and gods. It is a combination of astronomy and various legends. For example, the four great beasts often mentioned by the ancients actually divided the stars into "three walls" and "four elephants". All the animals protect the four sides and the people's safety.

Therefore, the level of astronomical research of the ancients not only has realistic basis, but also accords with people's yearning for the world of myths and legends. In fact, the term "four images" is often mentioned in modern architectural geomantic omen. Only in modern times, it has evolved into the saying that "left green dragon, right white tiger, former suzaku, later Xuanwu". But many people are thinking, how can all four directions be empty? Are there no other beasts in it? Actually, there is.

Many people think of Kirin first. After all, Kirin has always been an auspicious animal in ancient China, symbolizing good luck. However, Kirin's statement is wrong. In fact, if you want to know what is in the middle, you should start with the origin of these four great beasts. Although we now call them the four great beasts, it is more appropriate to call them fierce beasts. Legend has it that in ancient times, they were not responsible for guarding the four sides, and they always fought to the death for the position of the first beast, but innocent people suffered.

When Xuanyuan Huangdi knew about it, he immediately turned into a Huanglong, stopped the fierce fighting and surrendered them one by one. Persuaded Qinglong, Baihu, Suzaku and Xuanwu had to obey the arrangement of Xuanyuan Huangdi honestly, and be responsible for guarding the square and benefiting the people. As for why Xuanyuan Huangdi can be transformed into a dragon, it is said that the original image of Xuanyuan Huangdi was transformed from a Huanglong.

This fairy tale not only explains the four sacred animals guarding the four directions, but also highlights people's belief in the powerful power of Xuanyuan Huangdi. Since then, the ancients were deeply impressed by the merits of the four great beasts, and often drew their patterns on various sacrificial vessels. Among the four beasts, people directly acquiesced in the existence of Huanglong. However, because the four animals just correspond to the four directions of southeast, northwest and northwest, the Huanglong in the middle does not often appear in a pattern, and it is forgotten over time.

After listening, do you think the imagination level of the ancients is amazing? In fact, not only these four great beasts, but also the ancients left us many scientific references with practical significance. Although ancient people lived in a limited era, they would devote all their energy to research as long as it was beneficial to people's production. This has also influenced many modern scientists.