What is Seiryu?
Seiryu is one of the “Four Symbols” (Shijin) born in ancient China, a sacred beast in the form of a blue dragon that guards the east. The Four Symbols each guard one of the four directions: Seiryu (east), Byakko (west), Suzaku (south) and Genbu (north). Seiryu represents spring among the seasons, wood among the five elements, and blue (green) among the colors.
The Four Symbols and the Heian capital
Land whose landscape suits the Four Symbols was called “shijin soo” and considered the best place to build a capital: a river flowing in the east for Seiryu, a great road in the west for Byakko, a pond or marsh in the south for Suzaku, and mountains in the north for Genbu. The Heian capital (Kyoto) is said to have been built on this idea, with the Kamo River, flowing on the east side of Kyoto, as Seiryu.
Seiryu in tomb murals
The Four Symbols are painted on the walls of the stone chambers of the Takamatsuzuka and Kitora tombs in Nara Prefecture, and the figure of Seiryu survives on the east wall. Seiryu remains popular today in shrine decorations and as a character in manga and games.
