The Four Holy Beasts differs from Four Symbols in that Qilin replaces the White Tiger. They are mentioned in the Chinese classic Book of Rites and includes the Dragon (龍) in the East, the Qilin (麟) in the West, the Turtle (龜) in the North, and the Phoenix (鳳) in the South.ĭifferences Phoenix depicted at the Longshan temple, Taiwan The Four Holy Beasts (四靈 or 四聖獣) are Chinese astronomical and cultural Four Benevolent Animals that are spread in the East Asian cultural sphere.

Four sacred animals in Chinese mythology Bas-relief of the Four Holy Beasts at Đức Thánh Trần Temple, HCMC, Vietnam