[tied] Re: Chinese Phenix

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, Max Dashu <maxdashu@...> wrote:

> >I've also seen white tiger as alternative to
> >ki-lin, and azure dragon as opposed to a green dragon.
>
> That's because qing is a bluish green or a range from blue to

green,

> so it gets translated different ways.
>
> I haven't been following this thread, so forgive any repetition.
> Classically, the animals assigned to the
> directions/seasons/elements/organs were the green/azure dragon
> (east), red phoenix (south), white tiger (west), and black turtle
> (north), plus the yellow woman for the center. Different from the
> chimeric animals...
>
> Max

There is quite bit of difference between the Chinese mythic animals
and the genii/cherubim I mentioned. But both serve similar functions,
after a fashion, as guardians or representatives of the 4
corners/directions etc. I was just speculating there might be some
common ground underlying the two different sets of animals. This is
sheer conjecture:

Lion=Tiger
Eagle=Phoenix
Bull=Dragon
Man=Warrior/Tortoise

Bull and dragon may be equivalent because of identity with the male
gender and with royalty. The dark warrior is humanoid. Tiger and lion
are self explanatory. Eagle and phoenix may be equivalent considering
overlap with the eagle, griffin, simurgh and phoenix.

Cort Williams