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Four Gods of Fushigi Yuugi
In Fushigi Yuugi, the world has Four Gods, each ruling over one country, by direction, one season, and one of the four basic elements. There are also 28 Seishis (Star Constellations) which are divided into four quadrants. Each quadrant, containing 7 seishis each, is ruled by one of the Four Gods.
In each country, there is a place were an Emperor reigns and contains a shrine dedicated to their God that only their Miko and Seishis may enter. If any other enter, they will be repelled by the God's power. The Shrines all contain a large golden statue of the God, and a representation of tehir element. For example: Suzaku's contain a huge cauldron for fire while Seiryuu's has several waterfalls into a pool.
To find out more about each God, click on the quick link below... or scroll down!
| GENBU | SUZAKU | SEIRYUU | BYAKKO |
Black Tortoise of the North
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Genbu is the Northern part of the quadrant, and one which represented by a Tortoise or Turtle (though this particular constellation may also be called the "Black Warrior"). Though often said to represented simply "the tortoise", Genbu is actually represented by a tortoise mating with a snake.The Tortoise is representative of endurance, wisdom, and longetivity, and is also sometimes used in terms of divination.Though in the series Genbu is shown to be greenish in color, its real color is black, due to the fact that Winter was perceived to be the twilight or end of the seasons. Because of its Winter theme, it appears that members of the Genbu Seven have a mastery or attuning to cold. Hikitsu and Tomite are two such members with these powers.
Genbu is the god of Hokkan. Though Genbu is called the Black Tortoise, some of his followers wear green, as this is the most common shade for depictions of a tortoise.
Red Bird of the South
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Suzaku is the Southern part of the quadrant, and one which is represented by a Bird (though in the story, Suzaku does hint at having properties of the legendary Phoenix which is known to die in its own flames and be reborn anew). Because of its association with the heat and fiery temperatures of summer, Suzaku is usually red in color, and may contribute to some people's conclusion that Suzaku is more like the phoenix than an ordinary bird. Red also has connotations of being a color associated with romance and love, and in the series it is from love that Suzaku draws his strength. Suzaku has a multicolored plume like a peacock's, and is meant to emphasize its rarity and beauty, as well as its virtue as a guardian deity.
Suzaku is the god of Konan. As worshippers of Suzaku, the palace guard and army are most commonly seen to be wearing red-colored armor.
Blue Dragon of the East
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Seiryu is the Eastern part of the quadrant, and one which is represented by a Dragon. While at times the color of Spring is usually green, Seiryu is depicted as a blue Dragon in part because Dragons were thought of by the ancient Chinese to be aquatic creatures that reside in the sea. Spring is also thought of to be a rainy season, so the color blue is also indicative of water. As one of the oldest, most powerful, and respected of all Chinese mythological creatures, the dragon was usually symbolic of authority and strength, and was usually worn as such by major figures of power or the royalty (Nakago even wears what could be seen as a Dragon's Claw for a shoulder plate). The God Seiryu also represents war.
Kutou, the country of the Blue Dragon Seiryu.
White Tiger of the West
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Byakko is the Western part of the quadrant, and one which is represented by a Tiger. Tigers in Chinese mythology represent ferocious defense like metal or steel when it comes to soldiering. They were also considered to be natural guardians and the king of all animals (and thus their protector). The white color is possibly from an original myth that stated that a piece of metal left behind at a king's grave supposedly turns into a white tiger to guard it from being defiled. White can also be a part of the symbolism of autumn, as things are still alive, but are growing "old" and gray at this time of the year. The members of the Byakko Seven that are present in the series encounter age as a determining factor in bringing out their full potential, and Subaru's age-reversing magic is possibly a nod to the whole "age" association with the color of Byakko.
&nnsp; Sairou is the home to the followers of Byakko, the White Tiger of the West.
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