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mythology
Both Fushigi Yuugi and the Genbu Kaiden are steeped in chinese mythology. Their true implications, intricacies and history are much more indepth than what I know, and beyond what will be introduced on the site. It's easy enough to find more information online or in bookstores should you want more.
Genbu is one of four celestial beings from Chinese mythology, dating back well over 2000 years. The other three are Suzaku (Red Phoenix of the South), Seiryuu (Blue Dragon of the East) and Byakko (White Tiger of the West). In Chinese, Genbu is known as Xuan Wu, or the Black Warrior of the North. Each 'god' was the guardian of one of the four compass directions, and associated with it's own season, colour, element and virtues. Each god was also attached to a quadrant of 7 of 33 constellations (which, if you're quick, adds up to only 28. The extra five were grouped around celestial North).
If you'd like to find out which constellation you were born under, go check out the Seishuku Astrology page!
Genbu was the guardian of the Northern compass direction, and associated with winter, the colour black, water, and represented longevity and wisdom. Although the shell of the turtle represents the vault of Heaven and Earth, it was also associated with armor, and in ancient times Genbu was possibly worshipped to bring help in overcoming enemies, so he is associated with military strategy.
For the curious, although originally portrayed as a rather snake-like turtle, Genbu eventually came to be a female turtle mating with a snake, due to the myth that there were no male tutles, and they therefore had to mate with a snake. From that came a creation story of how the universe was created by the joining of these two animals.
In the Genbu Kaiden, each of Genbu's seven constellations are born as humans and given supernatural powers. These powers revolve around ice, water, endurance, defence and longevity. They tend to be extremely strong individually or in groups. They are particuarily fierce when on the defensive. They rarely involve themselves with others, except when it becomes their duty to do so. They can be slow to act, because they prefer to plan for the long-term, but they are unstoppable once they get going. Their greatest strength and yet worst flaw is their relentlessness. genbu Seishi tend to be hardy and physically tough. They tend to be stubborn and loyal towards their duty over their loyalty to others.
As was mentioned above, the 28 constellations of the sky were also divided into four groups which reflect the cycles of the moon. Each constellation was also named and associated with an animal and an element. The table below outlines the basic information for each of the seven northern constellations.
Constellation Constellation Name Japanese Reading Chinese Reading English Meaning Animal Element
Hikitsu Dóu Ladle Griffon Wood
Inami Niú Cow/Ox Cow/Ox Metal
Uruki Nû Woman Bat Earth
Tomite Xû Void Rat Sun
Urumiya Wéi Roof Swallow Moon
Hatsui Shì House Bear Fire
Namame Bì Barrier Procupine Water
Both Fushigi Yuugi and the Genbu Kaiden are steeped in chinese mythology. Their true implications, intricacies and history are much more indepth than what I know, and beyond what will be introduced on the site. It's easy enough to find more information online or in bookstores should you want more.
Genbu is one of four celestial beings from Chinese mythology, dating back well over 2000 years. The other three are Suzaku (Red Phoenix of the South), Seiryuu (Blue Dragon of the East) and Byakko (White Tiger of the West). In Chinese, Genbu is known as Xuan Wu, or the Black Warrior of the North. Each 'god' was the guardian of one of the four compass directions, and associated with it's own season, colour, element and virtues. Each god was also attached to a quadrant of 7 of 33 constellations (which, if you're quick, adds up to only 28. The extra five were grouped around celestial North).
If you'd like to find out which constellation you were born under, go check out the Seishuku Astrology page!
Genbu was the guardian of the Northern compass direction, and associated with winter, the colour black, water, and represented longevity and wisdom. Although the shell of the turtle represents the vault of Heaven and Earth, it was also associated with armor, and in ancient times Genbu was possibly worshipped to bring help in overcoming enemies, so he is associated with military strategy.
For the curious, although originally portrayed as a rather snake-like turtle, Genbu eventually came to be a female turtle mating with a snake, due to the myth that there were no male tutles, and they therefore had to mate with a snake. From that came a creation story of how the universe was created by the joining of these two animals.
In the Genbu Kaiden, each of Genbu's seven constellations are born as humans and given supernatural powers. These powers revolve around ice, water, endurance, defence and longevity. They tend to be extremely strong individually or in groups. They are particuarily fierce when on the defensive. They rarely involve themselves with others, except when it becomes their duty to do so. They can be slow to act, because they prefer to plan for the long-term, but they are unstoppable once they get going. Their greatest strength and yet worst flaw is their relentlessness. genbu Seishi tend to be hardy and physically tough. They tend to be stubborn and loyal towards their duty over their loyalty to others.
As was mentioned above, the 28 constellations of the sky were also divided into four groups which reflect the cycles of the moon. Each constellation was also named and associated with an animal and an element. The table below outlines the basic information for each of the seven northern constellations.
Constellation Constellation Name Japanese Reading Chinese Reading English Meaning Animal Element
Hikitsu Dóu Ladle Griffon Wood
Inami Niú Cow/Ox Cow/Ox Metal
Uruki Nû Woman Bat Earth
Tomite Xû Void Rat Sun
Urumiya Wéi Roof Swallow Moon
Hatsui Shì House Bear Fire
Namame Bì Barrier Procupine Water