Han Eaves Tile with Four Gods Design

Copyright: 5,000 Year Comparision of Chinese And Foreign Civilizations, China Pictorial Press.

Do you know the Four Gods in Chinese culture?

The Four Gods design is composed of four animals: the Azure Dragon, the White Tiger, the Vermillion Bird, and the Black Tortoise.

During the Han Dynasty, the Four Gods pattern was widely used for decoration on bronze mirrors, lacquer ware, stone carvings, ceramic tiles, and on various other types of artwork.

Especially during the reign of Wang Mang, designs of the Four Gods were extremely popular. In Han Dynasty culture, the Four Gods were thought to be related to warding off evil and praying for blessings.

“The four benevolent animals are associated with the cardinal directions: The Azure Dragon of the East, the White Tiger of the West, the Black Tortoise of the North, and the Vermillion Bird of the South.” (from Cao Zhi’s Shenguifu (Divine Tortoise Essay)

These essays are all descriptions of the Four Gods. Of these four animals, the Black Tortoise is the most peculiar, being a combination of tortoise and snake. This Four Gods eaves tile is round and has images of a few types of animals in its center. It meets the requirements of a round shape with no sense of formality. It is vivid and natural, and also vigorous and energetic. It is an excellent work of patterned art.