Xuanwu Square

Xuanwu Square

The theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements in China originated before the Shang and Zhou dynasties. By the Qin and Han dynasties, based on the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theories, totems were integrated with these concepts, giving rise to the Five Spirits and the Four Divine Beasts.

Five

Spirits are: the Dragon, the Phoenix, the Qilin, the Tiger, and the Turtle-Snake.

The Four Divine Beasts are: the Vermilion Bird (Phoenix) in the front (south), associated with fire.

the Black Tortoise (Turtle-Snake) in the back (north), associated with water.

the Azure Dragon (Canglong) in the left (east), associated with wood.

the White Tiger in the right (west), associated with metal.

Xuanwu refers to the Xuanwu Emperor, who governs the north and water-related matters.

Analyzing Xuanwu through mythology and folklore, it is believed to represent Chiyou or Gonggong, depicted as a snake with a rooster’s comb coiled around a turtle.

In the Book of Changes (Yi Jing), the Hetu (River Chart) and Luoshu (Lo Shu) are divinatory texts used for observing celestial phenomena, reflecting the orientation of the Big Dipper’s handle to calculate agricultural seasons. Therefore, another meaning of Xuanwu is supreme. Moreover, in the sky, Xuanwu resides in the central enclosure of the Three Enclosures — the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, also called the Central Palace or Mysterious Palace, which includes constellations such as the Little Bear, Draco, Canes Venatici, Boötes, Hercules, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Perseus, and Camelopardalis.

Xuanwu also represents the primitive totem worship of northern ethnic groups. For example, Kuafu (the one who chases the sun) in the legend of “Kuafu Chasing the Sun” was actually an ethnic group from the north that once waged war with the Yellow Emperor. The reason Kuafu died of exhaustion while chasing the sun is that within the Arctic Circle during summer, the sun never sets, so he could not catch up with it and ultimately perished from fatigue.

Many ancient texts document the worship of the turtle-snake by northern ethnic groups, such as the “Classic of Mountains and Seas.”

Xuanwu Square is located at the exit of Arctic Village — Arctic Sandbar, where a sculpture representing Xuanwu stands. People say, “If you can’t find the north, find Xuanwu.” In Arctic Village, you can find both the north and Xuanwu.