These four creatures are also referred to by a variety of other names, including ' Four Guardians', ' Four Gods', and ' Four Auspicious Beasts'. 'four images'), are four mythological creatures appearing among the Chinese constellations along the ecliptic, and viewed as the guardians of the four cardinal directions. The Four Symbols ( Chinese: 四 象 pinyin: Sì Xiàng lit. Neidan Illustration of Bringing Together the Four Symbols 和合四象圖, 1615 Xingming guizhi Clockwise from top left: Black Tortoise of the North, Azure Dragon of the East, Vermilion Bird of the South and White Tiger of the West
