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:
“In our interactions with people, a benevolent hypocrisy is frequently required—acting as though we do not see through the motives of their actions.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
“The saying, “The Magyar is much too lazy to be bored,” is worth thinking about. Only the most subtle and active animals are capable of boredom.—A theme for a great poet would be God’s boredom on the seventh day of creation.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)