What auspicious beasts are there in China's mythology?

In ancient China, Kirin, Phoenix, tortoise and dragon were regarded as spiritual animals, so they were called the Four Spirits and regarded as auspicious symbols and mascots. In fact, except the tortoise, the other three are legendary animals.

Kirin's body is like a deer, covered with scales. It has a unicorn on its head, meat balls on its horns, feet like horseshoes and a tail like an oxtail. Kirin is a benevolent beast with virtue in legend, and emperors of past dynasties regarded it as a symbol of peace and prosperity. In the residences and gardens of emperors such as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace in Beijing, you can see Kirin cast in bronze or carved with stones. In the folk, Kirin is also highly valued. During the Spring Festival, people in southern China often carry paper-wrapped Kirin to perform in front of various houses to express their good wishes. In addition, in China, there is a legend that "Kirin gives birth to children". On the one hand, people use Kirin to symbolize promising children, and also to express their hope that children will have a baby early and prosper. For these reasons, Kirin is regarded as a mascot by China people and is widely used among the people.

The image of the phoenix is very noble. It has a beautiful crown and colorful feathers on its head. It is the imaginary king of birds, which combines the characteristics of many beautiful birds and animals. Phoenix is an auspicious bird in China legend, symbolizing auspiciousness, peace and political clarity. Phoenix, like dragon, is regarded as a symbol of power and dignity by emperors of past dynasties. Phoenix-related things such as crested phoenix and phoenix car can only be used by royalty and immortals. But later, Phoenix became the mascot of the common people, especially at the traditional wedding in China. It became the decoration on the bride's dress and headdress, representing auspiciousness and celebration. Phoenix is also widely used in traditional folk patterns, meaning auspicious and safe. Phoenix often cooperates with other mascots to form patterns, such as "Dragon and Phoenix Becoming Auspicious" and "Phoenix Becoming Auspicious", which are also auspicious symbols.

Turtle is the only animal among the four spirits, and it is also the longest-lived birthday star among all animals. People not only regard the tortoise as a symbol of health and longevity, but also think that it has the spirituality to predict the future. In ancient times, before major events, wizards would burn tortoise shells, and then divine good or bad according to the crackling lines on the tortoise shells. Therefore, people call turtles "god turtles" and "spirit turtles". Turtles were once greatly respected in China. In the palaces, houses and tombs of ancient emperors, turtles cast in stone or bronze symbolize the country's long-term good luck. Many people are willing to use the word "turtle" when naming names, such as "year of turtle" and "age of turtle".

Dragon is the biggest god and mascot in China. People are familiar with the image of dragons, but no one has ever seen a real dragon. Like Kirin, the dragon with phoenix is also an imaginary animal. It has a bull's head, antlers, shrimp eyes, talons, a snake body and a lion's tail. It is also covered with scales and made up of many animals. In people's imagination, dragons can not only walk on land, but also swim in the water and fly in the clouds, which is full of infinite power. For thousands of years, feudal emperors regarded it as a symbol of power and dignity, and ordinary people also regarded it as the embodiment of virtue and strength, and it was an auspicious thing. The image of dragons can be seen everywhere in China. On the roofs of palaces and temples, dragons are carved and painted on royal utensils. On festive days, ordinary people also stick dragon patterns, dance dragon lanterns and row dragon boats, and are willing to name their children with the word "dragon". As the biggest mascot in the "Four Spirits", the dragon has gradually become a symbol of the Chinese nation.