The idea of the Four Symbols later affected the foundation of the capital
on earth.
A stream on the east was regarded as the Azure Dragon, a highway on
the west as the White Tiger, a sunken place on the south as the Vermilion
Bird, and a hill on the north as the Black Tortoise. Changan, the capital
of Tang, was the place suitable to that of the Four Symbols.
Since the Emperor lived in the north, the entrance to the capital was
built on the south and was named Suzaku-mon (the Gate of the Vermilion
Bird). This system of design was introduced into Japan via Korea. The Fujiwara-kyou (Japan, capital of Fujiwara) was founded for the first time in Japan.
The Heian-kyo (Japan, capital of Heian), designed in the Chinese style, was the first
place thoroughly appropriate to the Four Symbols.
Also, the colors of the tassels hanging down from the four corners of
the canopy of the sumo ring represent the Four Symbols. |
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