Azure Dragon

The Azure Dragon is one of the of the Chinese constellations. It is sometimes called the Azure Dragon of the East , and it represents the east and the season. It should not be confused with the mythological that is associated with the Emperor of China.

The Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon

Like the other Four Symbols, the Azure Dragon corresponds to seven "mansions", or positions, of the moon.
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Origin

In Book of Tang, the reincarnation of the 's Star is said to be Li Shimin's general Luo Cheng and the reincarnation of the Azure Dragon's Star is said to be the rebellious general Shan Xiongxin . They two are sworn brothers of Qin Shubao , Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Jingde . Their souls after death are said to possess the body of the new heroes of the Tang Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty, Xue Rengui and He Suwen.

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.

In Japan

In Japan, the Azure Dragon is one of the four guardian spirits of cities and is said to protect the city of Kyoto on the east. The west is protected by the , the north is protected by the Black Tortoise, and the south is protected by the Vermilion Bird,and in the center is protected by the Yellow Dragon. In Kyoto there are temples dedicated to each of these guardian spirits. The Azure Dragon is represented in the Kiyomizu Temple in eastern Kyoto. Before the entrance of the temple there is a statue of the dragon which is said to drink from the waterfall within the temple complex at nighttime. Therefore each year a ceremony is held to worship the dragon of the east.

In 1983, the Kitora Tomb was found in the village of . All four guardians were painted on the walls and a system of the constellations was painted on the ceiling. This is one of the only ancient records of the four guardians.