White Tiger (白虎)
Alternative Names (異名):
白虎, 백호(
Korean), Baek-ho, Bái Hǔ(
Standard Mandarin), White Tiger, Byakko(
Japanese)
The White Tiger (Chinese: 白虎; pinyin: Bái Hǔ) is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. It is sometimes called the White Tiger of the West (西方白虎, Xī Fāng Bái Hǔ), and it represents the west and the autumn season.
The Seven Mansions of the White Tiger
Like the other Four Symbols, the White Tiger corresponds to seven "mansions", or positions, of the moon.
Legs (Chinese: 奎; pinyin: Kuí)
Bond (Chinese: 婁; pinyin: Lóu)
Stomach (Chinese: 胃; pinyin: Wèi)
Hairy Head (Chinese: 昴; pinyin: Mǎo)
Net (Chinese: 畢; pinyin: Bì)
Turtle Beak (Chinese: 觜; pinyin: Zī)
Three Stars (Chinese: 參; pinyin: Shēn)
Origin
During the Han Dynasty, people believed the tiger to be the king of all beasts. Legend had it that when a tiger reached 500 years old, its tail would turn white. In this way, the white tiger became a kind of mythological creature. It was said that the white tiger would only appear when the emperor ruled with absolute virtue, or if there was peace throughout the world. Because the color white of the Chinese five elements also represents the west, the white tiger thus became a mythological guardian of the west.
In Book of Tang, the reincarnation of White Tiger 's Star is said to be Li Shimin's general Luo Cheng (羅 成) and the reincarnation of Azure Dragon 's Star is said to be the rebellious general Dan Xiongxin (單 雄信). They two are sworn brothers of Qin Shubao (秦 叔寶), Cheng Zhijie (程 知節) and Yuchi Jingde (尉遲 敬德). Their souls after death are said to possess the body of the new heroes of Tang Dynasty and Liao Dynasty, Xue Rengui (薛 仁貴) and He Suwen (郃 苏文).
In some legends of the Tang Dynasty's general Xue Rengui, he's said the reincarnation of the White Tiger's Star. And his archenemy, Liao Dynasty's prince He Suwen is the reincarnation of the Azure Dragon's Star.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_mythology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Chinese_mythology
Chinese constellations | Chinese astronomy | Chinese mythology | Legendary mammals | Chinese legendary creatures | Chinese mythology stubs
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