Zuo Qinglong, right white tiger, former Suzaku, and later Xuanwu. What do you mean?
The ancients roughly divided the sky into four regions: the stars in the east combined into the image of a dragon, called "green (pale) dragon"; The western stars combine to form the image of a tiger, which is called "white tiger"; The stars in the south combine to form an image of a bird spreading its wings and flying, which is called "Suzaku (bird)"; The stars in the north combine to form an image of turtles and snakes, which is called "Xuanwu".
The ancients said: "black dragon, White Tiger, Suzaku, Xuanwu, the Four Spirits of Heaven, Fang Ye."
Therefore, the "Four Spirits" have become the "Gods of the Four Sides", that is, the "Four Elephants" in space: the Oriental Dragon, the Western White Tiger, the Southern Suzaku and the Northern Xuanwu.
The "four spirits" change with the seasons: at dusk at the turn of winter and spring, Qinglong appears; At the turn of spring and summer, Suzaku rises; At the turn of summer and autumn, white tigers emerge; At the turn of autumn and winter, Xuanwu rises.
Therefore, the "four spirits" also correspond to the "four seasons" in time:
Qinglong, spring, five elements belong to wood, which is cyan;
Suzaku, summer, five elements belong to fire, red;
White tiger, autumn and five elements belong to gold and white;
Xuanwu, winter, five elements belong to water, black.
"Qinglong, Suzaku, Baihu and Xuanwu" in geomantic omen mainly refers to geographical orientation and attributes of five elements.
Extended data:
Twenty-eight inns were established in ancient China, which were divided into four groups with seven stars in each group. These four groups are the stars in the sky in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Every season is accompanied by an animal and a direction.
Spring is accompanied by the East, and its spirit is (Qinglong), because (Qinglong) represents the vitality of spring and the growth of all things. The vitality of (Qinglong) is equal to the germination of flowers and plants in spring.
As for summer, the weather is hot, so it is represented by Rise of the Legend. And birds are particularly active in summer, so the spirit of summer is (Suzaku). Suzaku is a red firebird. In addition, summer is accompanied by the south. ?
Autumn is full of cold air, and there are more executions in ancient times than in autumn, which is called autumn decision. When autumn comes, yellow leaves fall. So (white tiger) just represents the lonely and cold breath of autumn. Autumn is accompanied by the west. Winter is accompanied by the north.
Flowers and trees are no longer lush in winter, and animals hibernate, just like collections. Therefore, (Xuanwu) just represents this season. The so-called (Xuanwu), that is, the big black turtle, because turtles have the image of collection. Black represents convergence.
Reference: Left Qinglong Right White Tiger _ Baidu Encyclopedia