Zhuque

Vermilion Bird of the South

One of the Four Symbols guarding the south, fiery red, emblem of summer.

Zhuque, the Vermilion Bird, is the southern of the Four Symbols, ruling the seven southern mansions of the sky. Fiery red, it embodies summer and light, standing with the Azure Dragon, White Tiger and Black Tortoise at the four quarters. Han mirrors, tiles and tomb murals place it in the south, guiding the soul toward the bright realm of the living sun.