Appendix: The Cosmic Quartet: Yin-Yang and the Four Guardians

Yes, there is indeed a relationship between the four fundamental combinations of yin and yang and the Four Symbols (四象, Sì Xiàng), also known as the Four Guardians or Four Auspicious Beasts. This connection reflects the Chinese philosophical tendency to create correspondences between different systems of thought. Let's break this down:

1. Four Fundamental Combinations of Yin and Yang:

   • Old Yang (老阳): ⚊⚊

   • Young Yang (少阳): ⚊⚋

   • Young Yin (少阴): ⚋⚊

   • Old Yin (老阴): ⚋⚋

2. Four Symbols:

   • Azure Dragon (青龙, Qīng Lóng) - East

   • Vermilion Bird (朱雀, Zhū Què) - South

   • White Tiger (白虎, Bái Hǔ) - West

   • Black Turtle (玄武, Xuán Wǔ) - North

The correspondence is typically as follows:

1. Azure Dragon (East) ⇔ Young Yang (⚊⚋)

   • Associated with spring, wood element, and growth

2. Vermilion Bird (South) ⇔ Old Yang (⚊⚊)

   • Associated with summer, fire element, and full expansion

3. White Tiger (West) ⇔ Young Yin (⚋⚊)

   • Associated with autumn, metal element, and contraction

4. Black Turtle (North) ⇔ Old Yin (⚋⚋)

   • Associated with winter, water element, and storage

This correlation integrates several key aspects of Chinese cosmology:

• The cycle of yin and yang

• The four cardinal directions

• The four seasons

• Four of the Five Elements (lacking Earth, which is often considered central)

It's worth noting that while these correlations are widely recognized, they're part of later systematizations of Chinese thought. The original concepts of yin-yang combinations and the Four Symbols likely developed independently before being integrated into a cohesive system.

This integration demonstrates the Chinese philosophical tendency to create comprehensive worldviews that connect various aspects of the cosmos, from abstract principles to concrete natural phenomena and mythological beings.

Vermillion Bird is missing here 😄