What is Suzaku?
Suzaku is one of the “Four Symbols” born in ancient China, a sacred beast in the form of a red bird that guards the south. It represents summer among the seasons, fire among the five elements and vermilion (red) among the colors. It guards the four directions together with Seiryu (east), Byakko (west) and Genbu (north). Because of its beauty, it is sometimes thought to be the same as the legendary phoenix (hoo).
The Four Symbols and Suzaku
In the “shijin soo” idea of capital planning, low wetlands such as a pond or marsh to the south were considered fitting for Suzaku. In the Heian capital, Ogura Pond to the south is said to have represented Suzaku.
Where Suzaku’s name survives
The great avenue running north to south through the center of the Heian capital was called Suzaku Oji (Suzaku Avenue), and the main gate of the palace was the Suzaku Gate. The figure of Suzaku also survives vividly on the south wall of the Kitora tomb in Nara Prefecture. Today Suzaku appears in countless games and manga as a bird of flame.
