Xuanwu, why is it a special one among the four great beasts?
It goes without saying that everyone knows that Qinglong is the image of a dragon. Dragon is a beast in the sky and the embodiment of God. The dragon guards the east, and the color of the east is blue, so it is described as Qinglong.
Suzaku is a bird image, much like a phoenix, with red feathers. Because Suzaku is in charge of the south, and the south belongs to fire, fire is red, and Zhu means red, so Suzaku is Moltres. The white tiger is a tiger, guarding the west, belonging to gold, and gold is white, so it is described as a white tiger.
Xuanwu defends the north, which belongs to water and water is black, so Xuanwu is black. All the images we see of Xuanwu Emperor are black. In fact, Emperor Xuanwu used to be the prince of Jingle Kingdom. He was smart and quick-witted since he was a child. And I love metaphysics and am obsessed with cultivation.
When he was a teenager, he made up his mind to go into the mountains to practice. It is said that the mountain he built is now Wudang Mountain, because a man of God told him that a place where you can see the sunset is a good place to practice, where you can cultivate immortals.
When Emperor Xuanwu discovered this place, he practiced here day and night. Later, the practice was really successful. At this time, God sent him a task to destroy the monster beast in all directions. So he took a sword and fought against the monsters in all directions, eventually destroying these monsters and saving the world eternal peace.
So he was rewarded by heaven and was named the mysterious god, asking him to protect the north and protect the water and soil in the north from monsters. Therefore, northerners will offer sacrifices to Xuanwu the Great.