ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Four Symbols (Chinese constellation)

The Chinese people have a special way of looking at the stars in the sky. They group certain stars together to form patterns which they call constellations. One of the most famous constellations in Chinese mythology is called the Four Symbols.

Each symbol represents a different animal - the Azure Dragon, the Vermilion Bird, the White Tiger, and the Black Tortoise. These animals are very important in Chinese culture because they were believed to protect and bring luck to the people.

The Azure Dragon is a giant dragon that is blue in color. People believed that this dragon brought beneficial rain and good luck. It was associated with the east direction.

The Vermilion Bird is a mythical bird with beautiful red feathers. It was believed to bring harmony and balance to the universe. It was associated with the south direction.

The White Tiger is a powerful and ferocious tiger with white fur. It was believed to protect and defend the people against evil. It was associated with the west direction.

The Black Tortoise is a large, slow-moving tortoise that is black in color. It was believed to bring longevity and wisdom. It was associated with the north direction.

People in ancient China believed that by observing the stars in the sky, they could gain insight into their own lives and the world around them. The Four Symbols constellation was an important part of this tradition because it represented the different forces of nature that affected their daily lives.