Four Symbols
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| Four Symbols | |
| 四象Four symbols | |
SH1 XuanwuSH1 Qing LongSH1 ZhuqueSH1 BaihuDDSAT1 Huang Long
Xuanwu artwork from Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
Qing Long artwork from Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
Zhuque artwork from Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
Baihu artwork from Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
Huang Long artwork from Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner |
The Four Symbols are a group in the Megami Tensei franchise.
Profile
The Four Symbols are the four Chinese beasts mentioned in the Confucian Book of Rites[a], where they are said to be forms of heraldry representing the constellations. Along with the centrepiece, Huang Long, they each represent a cardinal direction, an element (of Wuxing[b]), and a season.[1] This practice was absorbed into it from the cult of the Dragon King that came before it. In the Book of Changes,[c] the Four Symbols were also given 爻 Yáo hexagrams, which are used in divination; though this is not given to Huang Long, which was a later addition.[2]
The Four Symbols, along with Huanglong, were eventually humanised into the Five Regions' Highest Deities,[d] which have equivalent representations in addition to planets. Together, they act as manifestations of Shangdi.[e] They are chiefly associated with Chinese folk religion and Daoism, and worship dates back to Neolithic China.
The Four Perils, Taotie, Hundun, Qiongqi, and Taowu, are said to stand in opposition to the Four Symbols, running counter to everything they stand for.
The Four Symbols have been imported into Japanese culture, but remain strongly associated with China.
List of Members
By association
Game Appearances
Shin Megami Tensei V
The Four Symbols are fought as part of the subquest "The Gold Dragon's Arrival". Following its completion, the Nahobino can challenge Huang Long in the subquest "The Benevolent One".
Megami Ibunroku Persona
The Four Symbols have "Best" affinity with all characters.
Persona 2: Innocent Sin
The Four Symbols are used in the Fusion Spell Death Spirit, which requires using any Fire skill with Suzaku, any Earth skill with Genbu, any Wind skill with Seiryuu, any Water skill with Byakko, and Summon Spirits with Abe no Seimei.
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
The Four Symbols are used in the Fusion Spell Celestial Veil, which requires using Wail of Air with Seiryuu, Wall of Fire with Suzaku, Wall of Earth with Genbu, and Wall of Water with Byakko. In addition, Death Spirit returns from Persona 2: Innocent Sin with identical requirements.
Huang Long appears in this game under the name "Wong Long", but has no connection to any of the Four Symbols in-game.
Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner
The Four Symbols appear across the Junkyard once the Embryon defeat Ananta, seeking to defeat Serph and go to Nirvana themselves. Feng Huang is found in Svadhisthana, Baihu is found in Manipura, Gui Xian is found in Anahata and Long is found in Ajna, with all of them having eaten the other tribe members in their respective areas. Once all four are defeated, Huang Long appears in Sahasrara. Defeating Huang Long allows the party to collect the Golden Orb, unlocking the Five Gods Mantra.
Trivia
- Compendium descriptions in the Megami Tensei franchise often conflate the Four Symbols and the Four Holy Beasts. In reality, these are different groups: the Four Symbols (Chinese: 四象four symbols, romanized Sìxiàng) are composed of Xuanwu, Qing Long, Zhuque and Baihu, while the Four Holy Beasts (Simplified Chinese: 四灵four spirits, Traditional Chinese: 四靈four spirits, romanized Sìlíng) are composed of Qing Long, Zhuque, Feng Huang and Qilin. Zhuque is also occasionally given the name Feng Huang despite being different beasts.
Nomenclature
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Japanese
|
四象 Shishou | Four symbols |
 Simplified Chinese
|
四象 Sìxiàng | Four symbols |
   Traditional Chinese
|
四象 Sìxiàng | Four symbols |
Notes
- ↑ Simplified Chinese: 礼记, Traditional Chinese: 禮記, romanized Lǐjì
- ↑ Simplified Chinese: 五行, Traditional Chinese: 五行, romanized Wǔxíng
- ↑ Simplified Chinese: 易经, Traditional Chinese: 易經, romanized Yìjīng
- ↑ Simplified Chinese: 五方上帝, Traditional Chinese: 五方上帝, romanized Wǔfāng Shàngdì
- ↑ Simplified Chinese: 上帝, Traditional Chinese: 上帝, romanized Shàngdì