Black Tortoise 2063924 222625151 2008-06-30T09:27:22Z 219.74.107.142 /* The Seven Mansions of the Black Tortoise */ {{redirect|Xuan Wu||Xuanwu}} The '''Black Tortoise''' ({{Zh-cp|c=玄武|p=Xuán Wǔ}}, literally "Mysterious Warrior") is one of the [[Four Symbols (Chinese constellation)|Four Symbols]] of the [[Chinese constellation]]s. The word for "tortoise" was taboo; and the entire entity is not just the tortoise itself, but both the tortoise and the snake. It is sometimes called the '''Black Warrior of the North''' (北方玄武, Běi Fāng Xuán Wǔ), and it represents the [[north]] and the [[winter]] season. Although its name in [[Chinese language|Chinese]], ''Xuánwǔ'', is often translated as ''Black Tortoise'' in [[English language|English]], it is usually depicted as both a [[tortoise]] and a [[snake]], specifically with the snake coiling around the tortoise. ==The Seven Mansions of the Black Tortoise== Like the other Four Symbols, the Black Tortoise corresponds to seven "mansions", or positions, of the [[moon]]. *[[Dipper (Chinese constellation)|Dipper]] ({{zh-cp|c=斗|p=Dǒu}}) *[[Ox (Chignese constellation)|Ox]] ({{zh-cp|c=牛|p=Niú}}) *[[Girl (Chinese constellation)|Girl]] ({{zh-cp|c=女|p=Nǚ}}) *[[Emptiness (Chinese constellation)|Emptiness]] ({{zh-cp|c=虛|p=Xū}}) *[[Rooftop (Chinese constellation)|Rooftop]] ({{zh-cp|c=危|p=Wēi}}) *[[Encampment (Chinese constellation)|Encampment]] ({{zh-cp|c=室|p=Shì}}) *[[Wall (Chinese constellation)|Wall]] ({{zh-cp|c=壁|p=Bì}}) == Black Tortoise in different languages == The Chinese constellations were not only used by [[Han Chinese|Chinese]] [[cartography|cartographers]], they were used by [[Korean people|Korean]], [[Japanese people|Japanese]], and [[Vietnamese people|Vietnamese]] cartographers as well. * [[Standard Mandarin]]: '''Xuán Wǔ''' / 玄武 * [[Japanese language|Japanese]]: '''[[Genbu]]''' * [[Korean language|Korean]]: '''[[Xuan Wu|Hyeon-mu]]''' * [[Vietnamese]]: '''[[Xuan Wu|Huyền Vũ]]''' / 玄武 ==Origin== In ancient [[China]], the tortoise and the snake were thought to be spiritual creatures symbolising longevity. During the [[Han Dynasty]], people often wore jade pendants that were in the shape of tortoises. Because of ancient Chinese influence on [[Japan]], honorific titles and badges in Japan often referred to the tortoise or images of tortoises. ==Historic Reference== In the classic novel, [[Journey to the West]], ''[[Xuan Wu (God)|Xuánwǔ]]'' was a king of the north who had two generals serving under him, a "Tortoise General" and a "Snake General." This king had a temple at [[Wudang Mountains]] in [[Hubei]], thus there is a "Tortoise Mountain" and a "Snake Mountain" on the opposite sides of a river in [[Wuhan]], the capital of Hubei. In [[Taoism|Taoist]] legend it was said that ''Xuánwǔ'' was the prince of a [[Chinese Emperor]]. However, he was not interested in taking the throne, but decided to study in Tao's way. At age 15, he left his parents to search for enlightenment in Tao's way. It was said that he eventually achieved god status and was worshipped as a god of northern sky. Other Chinese legends also speak of how the "Tortoise General" and a "Snake General" came to be. During ''Xuánwǔ's '' study to achieve enlightenment and god status he was told that in order to fully achieve god status, he must purge all ''humanly'' flesh from his body. Since he was born he had been eating the food of the world, humanly food, therefore his stomach and intestines were still human. Legend told of an event that a god came and ''changed'' out his human stomach and intestines for a godly body so he could fully achieve god status. (It was also said that the stomach and intestines that were tossed out became the "Tortoise Mountain" and "Snake Mountain".) The stomach and intestines taken out by the god whom did the surgery on ''Xuánwǔ'' were said to have taken on the shape of a tortoise (stomach) and a snake (intestines). As many Chinese legends speak of certain animals becoming demons over time as they gain knowledge, that's what the tortoise and snake became, and terrorized people. As ''Xuánwǔ'', now in his god status, heard of this, he came and slayed ''the demons from his past''. However, he did not kill them, as the snake and tortoise demons showed remorse. He let them train under him and atone for their wrong doings, and they became the "Tortoise General" and "Snake General", and they assisted ''Xuánwǔ'' with his quests. ==External links== * [http://www2.gol.com/users/stever/charts.htm "Star Charts and Moon Stations"] * [http://www2.gol.com/users/stever/winter.htm The Black Tortoise of the North] {{Chinese constellation}} [[Category:Chinese constellations]] [[Category:Chinese astronomy]] [[Category:Chinese mythology]] [[Category:Chinese legendary creatures]] [[Category:Legendary reptiles]] [[de:Schwarze Schildkröte]] [[es:Genbu]] [[fr:Tortue noire]] [[ko:현무]] [[ja:玄武]] [[pl:Czarny Żółw]] [[zh:玄武]]