Introduction and Role of Xuanwu:
Xuanwu is a spiritual entity formed by the combination of a turtle and a snake. The essence of Xuanwu is rooted in the profound and mysterious, with “wu” and “ming” sharing ancient phonetics. “Xuan” conveys the notion of darkness, while “ming” embodies the essence of yin. Initially, the term Xuanwu was descriptive of divination involving turtles: as the turtle’s back is dark, divination would entail inviting the turtle into the realm of darkness to consult ancestors and returning with answers, manifesting in the form of divinatory signs for all to perceive. Therefore, originally, Xuanwu was represented by the turtle. Another interpretation suggests that Xuanwu is a collective term for the seven northern constellations among the twenty-eight mansions, with Taoism venerating a celestial deity, Xuan Tian Shang Di, equated with Xuanwu, known in Taoism as the “True Martial Emperor.” Depicted as stepping on a turtle and a snake, some jade artifacts only depict these two animals, symbolizing the celestial authority of Xuanwu Xuan Tian Shang Di. Thus, Xuanwu serves as a precious guardian for households.
