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Genbu

Black Tortoise.

The Black Tortoise, also known the Black Warrior, Xuan Wu or Genbu, is one of the four symbols of the Chinese constellation (Si Xiang) along with Azure Dragon, Vermillion Bird and White Tiger. It represents the north, the color black, winter and the Water element.

It is usually depicted as both a tortoise and a snake, specifically with the snake coiling around the tortoise. In Japan, it is one of the four guardian spirits that protect Kyoto and it is said that it protects the city on the north. Represented by the Kenkun Shrine, which is located on top of Mt Funaoka in Kyoto.

The creature's name is identical to that of the important Taoist god Xuanwu, who is sometimes portrayed in the company of a turtle and a snake.

Gui Xian in some of the English versions is a misnomer because "Gui" belongs to a different concept of the Chinese four benevolent animals (Si Ling or Ssu-Ling).

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