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What is the Four No-Shows? Understanding the Folk Significance of the Four No-Shows.

Have you heard about the Four Auspicious Animals in Feng Shui? Let's delve into the fascinating world of this ancient concept and explore the meaning of the Four Auspicious Animals in traditional folklore.

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15 July, 2024

The Four Symbols, or ‘Tứ Bất Tượng’ in Vietnamese, represent noble beauty in Eastern culture. Let’s explore the meaning and significance of these symbols in feng shui.

1 What are the Four Symbols?

The Four Symbols comprise four mythical creatures: the Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise, and Phoenix.

In Eastern culture, particularly in Vietnamese belief, the Four Symbols hold significant spiritual value. Each symbol has its own unique origin, feng shui meaning, and characteristics.

According to folklore, the Four Symbols originate from four divine beings: Qing Long (Azure Dragon), Bai Hu (White Tiger), Xuan Wu (Black Tortoise), and Zhu Que (Vermilion Bird). These deities are associated with four constellations representing the elements of water, wind, earth, and fire, respectively.

2 The Significance of the Four Symbols

Dragon – Symbol of Power and Wisdom

The Dragon embodies strength and intelligence.

The Dragon, being the most powerful and respected symbol, represents various creatures such as snakes, tigers, eagles, lions, and deer. In feng shui, the Dragon is revered as a noble figure, bringing good fortune and eternal life to its owners.

Unicorn (or Qilin) – Symbol of Compassion

The Unicorn represents fertility, happiness, and kindness.

The Unicorn symbolizes all that is good, virtuous, and auspicious. It signifies growth, prosperity, and the characteristics of gentle creatures. In ancient times, the Unicorn was known as the ‘Ren Shou’, a benevolent creature that never preyed on other animals. It was believed to bring peace and abundance. Thus, it serves as a spiritual decoration, symbolizing tranquility for its owners.

Tortoise – Symbol of Longevity

The Tortoise represents the balance of Yin and Yang.

The Tortoise symbolizes both the earthly and heavenly aspects of existence. Its flat belly represents the earth (Yin), while its curved back represents the sky (Yang). The Tortoise carries a monument on its back, signifying happiness, growth, and resilience. It also signifies wealth, prosperity, and longevity, making it a popular symbol in Buddhist households, praying for peace.

Phoenix – Symbol of Immortality

The Phoenix represents the sun.

The Phoenix is a majestic creature that embodies the sun. Its head symbolizes justice and virtue, its eyes represent the sun, its back carries the sky, its wings are the wind, its tail is the stars, and its feathers are the grass and trees. The Phoenix is a beautiful amalgamation of various birds, featuring a rooster’s head, a stork’s neck, and a peacock’s tail.

The Phoenix signifies the happiness of the sages and represents the feminine aspect of royalty. Displaying the Phoenix in a home is believed to bring marital bliss and family harmony.

3 Placement of the Four Symbols in Feng Shui

The Four Symbols are typically placed in elevated, airy spaces to maximize their feng shui benefits.

While the Four Symbols bring positive energy to a home, their placement must consider feng shui principles.

The ideal placement varies depending on the family’s destiny, age, and the house’s location. Here are some general guidelines for placing the Four Symbols:

The set of statues should be placed in the living room, on a desk, or a tall table. The ideal height for the statues is approximately one meter; placing them too high or too low diminishes their elegance.
Position the statues diagonally across from the main entrance or a window. Ensure they have a clear view of the room to maximize their positive influence.
Avoid placing the statues in areas designated for worship or in personal bedrooms. Do not place them in children’s rooms, as their intricate designs may be frightening.

Now you know more about the Four Symbols and their significance in feng shui. Keep this information in mind when considering purchasing these statues for your home. May they bring you peace and prosperity.

Frequently asked questions

The ‘Four No Shows’ is a folk concept referring to four specific occasions when it is believed that certain supernatural entities do not manifest or ‘show’ themselves. These occasions are the Ghost Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Qingming Festival, and the Winter Solstice.

These festivals mark important traditional holidays in some East Asian cultures, particularly in China and Taiwan. During these times, it is believed that the veil between the living and the dead is thinner, allowing for spiritual connections and offerings to be made to ancestors and the deceased.

The Ghost Festival, also known as the Zhongyuan Festival, falls on the 15th night of the 7th month in the lunar calendar. It is believed that during this festival, the gates of hell are opened and the spirits of the deceased are free to roam the earth, receiving offerings and blessings from their living descendants.

The Dragon Boat Festival, celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar, is believed to be a time when evil spirits, particularly water-based ones, are most active. Traditions during this festival involve dragon boat races and eating zongzi (rice dumplings) to ward off these negative entities.

The Qingming Festival, or Pure Brightness Festival, is observed during the spring equinox, usually in early April. It is a time for honoring ancestors and tending to their graves. People offer prayers, burn incense, and sweep the tombs as a sign of respect and remembrance.

The Winter Solstice, occurring around December 21st, is the day with the longest night of the year. In Chinese folk religion, it is believed that the ‘sun god’ retreats during this time, making it a period of reduced spiritual activity and a time for quiet reflection.