Koei Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Advertisement
Register
Koei Wiki
Koei Tecmo Wiki
3,238
pages
in: Featured Article, Miscellaneous, Neoromance Glossary,
and 3 more

Four Gods

Sign in to edit

The Four Gods (四神), also known as the Four Symbols (四象), Four Sacred Beasts (四聖獣), Four Spirits (四霊), are deities that reign over the cardinal directions of the constellations. A fifth god, the Yellow Dragon, is also said to rule the center. These gods are particularly famous throughout Eastern Asia and appear in a variety of fictional works.

Names and Traits[]

Name (Chinese) Appearance Direction Season Color Element Divine Aide (Chinese)
Qinglong
(青龙/青龍; Azure Dragon)		 East Asian interpretation of a dragon East Spring Green/Azure/Blue Wood Jumang
Zhuque
(朱鸟/朱雀; Vermilion Sparrow)		 Giant bird resembling a phoenix South Summer Red/Vermilion Fire Zhurong or Zhuming
Baihu
(白虎; White Tiger)		 White tiger West Fall White Metal Rushou
Xuanwu
(玄武; Occult Martial)		 Tortoise encircled by a serpent North Winter Black Water Xuanming

Dragons are powerful rulers in China, bringing good fortune and fertility. Qinglong, a dragon with a long tongue, is often interpreted as green. Zhuque, a majestic bird with noble behavior, is often confused with phoenixes. Tigers, mythical elder versions of tigers, appear only in peace or virtue. Baihu, the eldest or youngest of the four beasts, is fabled to be the eldest or youngest.

The tortoise and snake were symbols of longevity in China and honor in Japan. In Japan, they are known as Seiryuu, Suzaku, Byakko, and Genbu. These gods are part of the Twelve Saintly Generals, named after the famous onmyōji, Seimei Abe. Koei games often reference these gods for items or weapons, particularly in China-based works.

Dynasty Warriors[]

In both Dynasty Warriors 2 and 4, the Hulao Gate stage has several gates named after each of the four beasts that must be unlocked before advancing further if played on the Allied Forces side. The Tiger Amulet, Peacock Amulet, Dragon Amulet and Tortoise Amulet are named after the beasts in the Asian script.

Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter's Battle[]

Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter's Battle lets players control three of the Four Gods in human form: Suzaku, Seiryuu, and Genbu. In the English ports, they are called Phoenix, Dragon, and Chimera respectively. They have no distinct personalities or stories beyond their brief character introductions at the start of each game. As such, they primarily act as the player's avatars in battle.

These characters have their own moveset, weapon, element, and primary color scheme to distinguish themselves. They are also given their own voice actor, but are not credited in the game.

Keys[]

Keys B • Normal Attack A • Charge Attack X • Musou

Phoenix
"This land shall fall to the Crimson Banner! Let the Crimson flames burn!"
  • Weapon: Broadsword and Gauntlet
  • Image Color: Red
  • Element: Fire
Moveset
Charge Attack 1: A: Rushes forward with a barrage of punches before finishing with a twirling overhead slash.
Charge Attack 2: B A: Lands a flame enhanced swipe done sideways, then dashes forward to finish with a spinning slash.
Charge Attack 3: B B A: Creates two mirror images of himself to hit foes with a chain of slashes.
Charge Attack 4: B B B A: Does an overhead punch followed by rapid fire punches to all sides. Ends with a straight punch.
Normal Attack: B B B A: Launches three criss-cross slashes and an overhead chop.
Musou Attack: X: Whirls in one place to create a devastating tornado.

Fighting Style[]

Dragon
"Is my fate bound to this Azure Banner? Very well then. Let my blade cleave the path of fate!"
  • Weapon: Sheathed Sword
  • Image Color: Blue
  • Element: Lightning
Moveset
Charge Attack 1: A: Unsheathes sword for four quick slashes and a series of stabs forward.
Charge Attack 2: B A: Does a forward stab. Mirror images of quick slashes appear behind him afterwards.
Charge Attack 3: B B A: Lands a side swipe which cuts foes after pausing briefly.
Charge Attack 4: B B B A: Sheathes sword while surrounded by a torrent of slashes. Deflects enemy attacks and arrows.
Normal Attack: B B B A: Unleashes three horizontal slashes and a dashing slice forward.
Musou Attack: X: Sends out three whirlwinds of rapid slashes.

Fighting Style[]

Chimera
"With this Golden Banner and my steel hammer, I shall make my name ring through the land!"
  • Weapon: Giant Hammer
  • Image Color: Golden
  • Element: Earth
Moveset
Charge Attack 1: A: Spins hammer to hit foes multiple times to the front.
Charge Attack 2: B A: Whirls hammer over his head before slamming it on the ground. Unleashes three pillars of light.
Charge Attack 3: B B A: Lands a hard smack to the front.
Charge Attack 4: B B B A: Smashes hammer to the ground. Produces rippling shockwaves upon impact.
Normal Attack: B B B A: Does two horizontal swings and two overhead smashes.
Musou Attack: X: Smashes hammer onto the ground repeatedly for a series of damaging shockwaves.

Fighting Style[]

Dynasty Warriors: Online[]

Keys: Square Normal Attack • Triangle Charge Attack • Circle Musou • X Jump/Mount

Moveset
Charge Attack 1: Triangle: Sends out a powerful tornado. Inflicts wind elemental damage.
Charge Attack 2: Square Triangle: Lunges forward while making a detour.
Charge Attack 3: Square Square Triangle: Conjures three balls of electricity that slowly detonate one by one. Inflicts lightning elemental damage.
Charge Attack 4: Square Square Square Triangle: Causes lightning bolts to strike around Qinglong. Inflicts lightning elemental damage.
Charge Attack 5: Square Square Square Square Triangle: Conjures three balls of electricity that rapidly detonate thrice. Inflicts lightning elemental damage.
Charge Attack 6: Square Square Square Square Square Triangle: Fires a massive beam of electricity. Inflicts lightning elemental damage.
Normal Attack: Square Square Square Square Square Square: Sends out three quick tornadoes per button input. Inflicts wind elemental damage.
Musou Attack: Circle: Sends out four massive beams of electricity while moving about. Inflicts lightning elemental damage.
Dash Attack: Dashing + Square:

Fighting Style[]

Moveset
Charge Attack 1: Triangle: Sends out three powerful fiery tornadoes in a row. Inflicts fire elemental damage.
Charge Attack 2: Square Triangle: Does a rushing somersault in the air, then triggers a ground explosion upon landing. Inflicts fire elemental damage.
Charge Attack 3: Square Square Triangle: Homes in on a target area while causing fire to rain down, then triggers an explosion upon landing. Inflicts fire elemental damage.
Charge Attack 4: Square Square Square Triangle: Shoots three fireballs that gradually explode as Zhuque takes flight. Inflicts fire elemental damage.
Charge Attack 5: Square Square Square Square Triangle: Shoots three exploding fireballs thrice in a row, then causes fiery explosions upon taking flight. Inflicts fire elemental damage.
Charge Attack 6: Square Square Square Square Square Triangle: Causes flames to erupt upon landing, then triggers fiery explosions when taking flight. Inflicts fire elemental damage.
Normal Attack: Square Square Square Square Square Square: Sends out three quick fiery tornadoes traveling at a wide angle. Inflicts fire elemental damage.
Musou Attack: Circle: Creates a fiery eruption on the ground before launching six large fireballs that detonate around the area. Inflicts fire elemental damage.
Dash Attack: Dashing + Square:

Fighting Style[]

Moveset
Charge Attack 1: Triangle: Lands two consecutive claw scratches before jumping back. Inflicts vorpal elemental damage.
Charge Attack 2: Square Triangle: Produces two deadly shockwaves with the first one generated before jumping forth and the second one created upon landing. Inflicts vorpal elemental damage.
Charge Attack 3: Square Square Triangle: Emits a radial shockwave. More can be produced via additional button input. Inflicts vorpal elemental damage.
Charge Attack 4: Square Square Square Triangle: Sends out four vorpal orbs that quickly explode together. Inflicts vorpal elemental damage.
Charge Attack 5: Square Square Square Square Triangle: Sends out two rapid claw marks. Inflicts vorpal elemental damage.
Charge Attack 6: Square Square Square Square Square Triangle: Sends out two rapid claw marks followed by a radial shockwave and more claw marks via button input extensions. Inflicts vorpal elemental damage.
Normal Attack: Square Square Square Square Square Square: Launches several sets of vorpal orbs that explode together in a fan-shaped formation. Inflicts vorpal elemental damage.
Musou Attack: Circle: Sends out a massive shockwave that spreads out around the area. Inflicts vorpal elemental damage.
Dash Attack: Dashing + Square: Leaps forward at an enemy. Inflicts vorpal elemental damage.

Fighting Style[]

Moveset
Charge Attack 1: Triangle: Jumps high and produces a frigid shockwave upon landing. Inflicts ice elemental damage.
Charge Attack 2: Square Triangle: Unleashes a radial shockwave.
Charge Attack 3: Square Square Triangle: Bends back and slams forelegs on the ground, sending out an icy shockwave around the vicinity. Inflicts ice elemental damage.
Charge Attack 4: Square Square Square Triangle: Conjures icy geysers popping up around the area. Inflicts ice elemental damage.
Charge Attack 5: Square Square Square Square Triangle: Bends back and slams forelegs on the ground, sending out an icy shockwave that hits foes in front repeatedly. Inflicts ice elemental damage.
Charge Attack 6: Square Square Square Square Square Triangle: Uses tail to send out a powerful beam of ice that produces icicles upon hitting the target area. Inflicts ice elemental damage.
Normal Attack: Square Square Square Square Square Square: Uses tail to fire ice beams traveling in multiple directions, causing icicles to erupt with each hit. Inflicts ice elemental damage.
Musou Attack: Circle: Spews out ice projectiles while causing icicles to rain down around the area. Inflicts ice elemental damage.
Dash Attack: Dashing + Square: Knocks over nearby foes.

Fighting Style[]

Harukanaru Toki no Naka de[]

The Harukanaru Toki no Naka de series refers to the four gods as four sacred beasts. They have some slight differences than their mythological counterparts, listed in the chart below.

Name Appearance Direction Color Aspect Element Divine Aide
Seiryu East Asian interpretation of a dragon East Blue Bravery Wood Kōzanze Myō-Oh
(降三世明王)
Suzaku Giant bird resembling a phoenix South Red Kindness Fire Gundari Myō-Oh
(軍茶利明王)
Byakko White tiger with green prayer beads around its neck West Green Strength Metal Dai'itoku Myō-Oh
(大威徳明王)
Genbu Tortoise encircled by a serpent North Violet Versatility Water Kongōyasha Myō-Oh
(金剛夜叉明王)

The protagonist of each game communicates with each sacred beast in person. Each god will then request the priestess's interpretation of the trait they represent and will agree to serve her after hearing her answer.

Role in Games[]

See also: Four Gods/Haruka 5

The series revolves around the four sacred beasts as servants of the White Dragon, who chooses the protagonists as his destined priestess. They protect the parallel world and oversee the Five Elements. The White Kirin, a servant of the White Dragon, once served as the leader of the four gods. The gods resided in caverns and were skeptics of mortals. They were aided by the city gates' guardians, conjured by a sorcerer. The gods were cursed during the first game, but returned to their slumber after the priestess performed her duty.

During the second game, the four sacred beasts would only grant their divine protection to their respective Eight Guardians (see below). Others parties would try to take their seals by force yet the gods did not answer them. When the priestess of this age wishes for the twin dragons to extend their mystic protection across the parallel world, the four gods also act in accordance for her peaceful desire.

In the series, Kiyomori Taira manipulates the White and Black Dragons to align with his will, disrupting the Five Elements. Benkei, a corrupt figure, destroys the dragons' physical forms, leading to further corruption. The gods, known to protect the parallel world, occasionally appear in different dimensions to serve the priestess, such as a mirror world, a mystical labyrinth, or the series's dream world.

Eight Guardians[]

The Eight Guardians (八葉, Hachiyou, literally translated as the Eight Leaves) are defenders and servants of the White Dragon Priestess. They are chosen by the White Dragon, the proof being the Dragon Gems (龍の宝玉, Ryu no Gyoku) on their bodies that can mainly be seen by the priestess and other guardians.

As avatars for the four sacred beasts, they are split as either the Heaven (天, ten) or Earth (地, chi) for a single god. Each guardian represents a placement within the Five Elements and have an innate element associated with them. These traits are shared with all designated guardians in the first three games; they partially influence characters within the fourth title.

Name Dragon Gem Location Eight Symbol Celestial Stem Innate Element Elemental Magic
Ten no Seiryu
(天青龍)		 Upper part of left ear Son
(巽, Xun)		 Ko
(甲, Jia)		 Wood Wind
Chi no Seiryu
(地青龍)		 Left shoulder Shin
(震, Zhen)		 Otsu
(乙, Yi)		 Wood Lightning
Ten no Suzaku
(天朱雀)		 Middle of forehead Ri
(離, Li)		 Hei
(丙, Bing)		 Fire Fire
Chi no Suzaku
(地朱雀)		 Back of right hand Kon
(坤, Kun)		 Ki
(己, Ji)		 Earth Earth
(大地)
Ten no Byakko
(天白虎)		 Right neck muscle Ken
(乾, Qian)		 Ko
(庚, Geng)		 Metal Sunlight
Chi no Byakko
(地白虎)		 Between clavicles Da
(兌, Dui)		 Shin
(辛, Xin)		 Metal Stars
Ten no Genbu
(天玄武)		 Palm of left hand Kan
(坎, Kan)		 Jin
(壬, Ren)		 Water Water
Chi no Genbu
(地玄武)		 Underneath right eye Gon
(艮, Gen)		 Bo
(戊, Wu)		 Earth Earth
(土)

Dragon Gems were once associated with the royal family of Nakatsu Kuni and were obtained by a princess during a war with Tokoyo no Kuni. The White Dragon associated these gems with human traits inspired by the eight warriors guarding her. Priestess strength is linked to 'hachiyou's trust, and their true potential is demonstrated when they unite. Guardians can summon gods in battle, with the first three titles allowing Heaven and Earth guardians to invoke divine aids.

The fifth title has the Dragon Gems instead be placed within each guardian's weaponry. This allows the priestess of the era to strengthen them with purified vengeful spirits. In this particular era the gems can only be activated once the men have agreed to protect the priestess. Without the gems, the priestess is left vulnerable as her guardians have not "fully awakened" to their duties.

To prevent the White Dragon from gaining power in the sixth title, the Demon Clan shatter the Star Clan's master Dragon Gem in the sixth title. For the majority of the story, hachiyou do not exist.

Voice Actors[]

  • Yuuji Suzuki - Seiryu, Harukanaru Tokinonakade 6
  • Takashi Aoki - Suzaku, Harukanaru Tokinonakade 6
  • Masamomi Yamahashi - Byakko, Harukanaru Tokinonakade 6
  • Takehiro Murozono - Genbu, Harukanaru Tokinonakade 6
  • Hikaru Maruta - Kōzanze Myō-Oh, Harukanaru Tokinonakade 6
  • Masao Harada - Gundari Myō-Oh, Harukanaru Tokinonakade 6
  • Junya Toriumi - Dai'itoku Myō-Oh, Harukanaru Tokinonakade 6
  • Hiroyuki Kurane - Kongōyasha Myō-Oh, Harukanaru Tokinonakade 6

Gallery[]

Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
More Fandoms
Advertisement

Fan Feed

More Koei Wiki