Four Symbols

The Four Symbols are a recurring theme in the Final Fantasy series. They refer to the four mythological creatures in the Chinese constellation. The symbols have permeated into pop culture, and have recurred in the series as follows.

Final Fantasy XI
Four Notorious Monsters are named according to the Japanese Shijin, and each refer to themselves as the "Divine Guardian" of the four cardinal directions. These monsters can be found at the Ru'Aun Gardens in Tu'Lia, but only after summoning them using a particular stone and gem named after their respective Season and Direction.

Final Fantasy XII
The boss monsters Slyt, Phoenix, Fenrir and Pandaemonium are each referred to the Sì Xiàng in their bestiaries. They are found at the Pharos at Ridorana both as bosses and a Mark hunted within the Subterra.

Final Fantasy Type-0
The world of Orience is made up of four nations, each containing a Peristylium, or magic academy, that holds a Crystal named after the Shijin.

Final Fantasy Tactics
An Artefact called the "Four-Deity Plate" is described as "a set of four small brooches, each crafted in the image of an Eastern Deity of direction. The intricate inlay of fine jewels suggests the collection once belonged to nobility".

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
The Shijin is referred to in the "Shijin Shield", a Mythril shield dedicated to the four shijin gods.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
A mythril shield called "Shield of the Four" is described as "made in honor of the Four Gods" and "bears the symbols of the Four upon its surface".

The Final Fantasy Legend
The Four Fiends of The Final Fantasy Legend are servants of Ashura, and through him, the Creator. They are based on the Four Symbols of Chinese astrology and are given the Japanese names for those symbols. In the English version, they go by the name of Gen-Bu, Sei-Ryu, Byak-Ko, and Su-Zaku.

Final Fantasy Dimensions
The four Blades of Nil, Despair, Suffering, Misery and Anguish, are each based on the Shijin (Genbu, Suzaku, Byakko and Seiryu, respectively).

Etymology
The (Chinese: 四象; pinyin: Sì Xiàng) are four mythological creatures in the Chinese constellations. They are the Azure Dragon, (Qing Long) of the East, the Vermilion Bird (Zhu Que) of the South, the White Tiger (Bai Hu) of the West, and the Black Turtle (Xuan Wu) of the North. While originating from China, the Four Symbols are also widely known in Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Each region have distinct names for the symbols. In Japan, the Shijin, as they are collectively known, are called Seiryū, Suzaku, Byakko and Genbu respectively.