Black tortoise of the north

Black Tortoise, also known as Xuan Wu, is revered as the Deity of the North, symbolizing the winter season and the water element in the Five Element Theory.

In ancient Chinese astronomy, the sky ecliptic was divided into four sections. Each of these sections contained seven mansions, and together they formed the 28 Mansions. The 28 Mansions may be considered to be equivalent to the zodiacal constellations in Western astronomy, although they reflect the movement of the Moon through a sidereal month rather than the Sun in a tropical year.

Black Tortoise or Xuanwu is one of the Four Symbols in ancient Chinese Astrology, and the representative of the north, water, and winter. 《云笈七签》记载：“玄武者，北方壬癸水。能柔能刚，经云：上善若水，非铅非锡，非众石之类，水乃河车神水，生乎天地之先，至药不可暂舍。能养育万物，故称玄武也。” Picture from Artist Shexi (舍溪).

Description Very much like a Phoenix, it may double as a phoenix graphic in some areas, actually. this was actually the first to be drawn in the 4 holy beasts.

The black tortoise is one of the "four guardians" in Feng Shui, ruling the northern sky in ancient Asian astrology. In most interpretations, the guardians

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This page contains all familiars inspired by East Asian (Chinese, Korean, Japanese) mythology. Chinese mythology refers to those myths found in the historical geographic area of China: these include myths in Chinese and other languages, as transmitted by Han Chinese as well as other ethnic...

Genbu- Japanese legend: a tortoise and a snake. Both were generals and representatives of their own mountains. Together they symbolized the north and the winter season.

“Tortoise” (Jade Variant) The Black Tortoise or Genbu, is one of the mythological four beasts that guard Japan, with this legend dating back to Ancient China. The Black Tortoise protects Kyoto from the north, with the three other beasts being the Azure Dragon (east) the Vermilion Bird (south), and the White Tiger (west). Genbu represents winter, and is a symbol of stability and long life 🐢 - #illustration #penandink #artnouveaustyle #mythologyart #japanesefolklore #artist #bookillustrator

Genbu - Black Warrior from the North

The Black Tortoise of the North is a East Asian mythological creature. It is considered the protector of the North Cardinal direction and is associated with the water element and winter. Available on My Redbubble Shop!

Chinese hand-carved serpentine Xuan Wu black tortoise turtle disk bi. * The black tortoise or black turtle is one of the four symbols of the Chinese constellations, a turtle entwined with a snake, also known in East Asia as a black warrior. It represents the North & Winter season.

🔥 NEW CONCEPT/FLASH DESIGN: Companions, Guides & Protectors 🌫️ The Black Tortoise, intertwined with the snake, represents the North and the Winter Season. Its pictogram depicts ‘warrior’ (as etched into the tortoise’s shell in my rendering); both the tortoise and serpent were spiritual manifestations of longevity, energetically associated with the water element. In Japan, the Black Tortoise is known as Genbu who protects the northern region of Kyoto (being 1 of 4 guardian spirits). This…

Xuangui- Chinese myth: a black "turtle snake". It symbolized darkness, the north, and winter.

Wikipedia article about Black Tortoise