In Chinese mythology, Joseph Campbell identifies four benevolent animals (simplified Chinese: 四灵; traditional Chinese: 四靈; pinyin: sì líng) that took abodes in the gardens of the palace of the Chinese Empire during the legendary period of the Yellow Emperor.
- The qilin (麒麟), lord of furred quadrupeds.
- The dragon (龍), lord of scaly animals.
- The tortoise (龜), lord of shelled animals.
- The Fenghuang (鳳凰), lord of birds.
The image might be an opposite of the "Four Perils" Si Xiong zh:四凶, ambiguously described in the classics as the monsters of the early age, barbarians, or assistants and progenitors.
Animal imagery was related to the four cardinal directions (Four animal symbols), however, the relationship was not stable until canonization in Han period. Thus, Rong cheng shi, a 4 c. BCE excavated text, refers to the snake as a symbol of the South, bird, of the North; and bear, of the center. East and west were symbolized by the sun and the moon. All the symbols appeared on the banners created by Yu the Great .
Famous quotes containing the words benevolent and/or animals:
“A benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance.”
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)
“Lost at night in an immense forest, I only have a small light to guide me. A man appears who tells me: “My friend, blow out your candle in order to find your way.” This man is a theologian.
The sea, fluid garden filled with animals and plants.”
—Alfred Döblin (1878–1957)