Crystal Mythical Creature, Guardian, Black Tortoise of the North-"Serenity of the Xuanwu"

Black Tortoise, also known as Black Warrior, is a mythical figure consisting of a turtle entwined by a serpent and is associated with the element water and the northern direction. The tortoise represents longevity and the serpent dexterity; their combination symbolizes harmony, benevolence, sincerity, virtue, and altruism. It is the embodiment of the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu’s statement “like water, nourishing all but competing with none”; it is sincere, benevolent, and selfless. One of the highlights of this meticulously crafted piece is the strong sense of interaction between the tortoise and the snake as they ride the waves, with the tortoise looking back towards the snake. The overall effect is that of power tempered by harmony.

Associated with the four quadrants of the vault of heaven is the Azure Dragon of the East, the Vermillion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West, and the Black Tortoise of the North; in the center is the Qilin (unicorn). Each region corresponds to one of the five elements: metal (west), wood (east), water (north), fire (south), and earth (center). Moving across the night sky, the stars connect all life to the five elements. When the universe and elements are aligned, harmony ensues.

玄武出北方，北方的顏色為黑（玄色），屬性是水， 玄武 ，是龜和蛇的結合，龜象徵長壽，蛇寓意靈巧，兩者相互交融，可視為和諧，如同水，上善若水，善利萬物，真誠、良善、無私。玄武的造型精彩，龜、蛇互動的情景感尤為重要。作品中神龜雕塑精細在海浪中騰起，向後轉頭，與背後的靈蛇相對。兩者各自擁有龐大力量感，卻又相處融洽，體現和諧。

五相，東青龍、西白虎、南朱雀、北玄武、中麒麟，安定人心，信心的鎮守與護佑。古老的東方智慧，指引人們前往美好和諧的未來。

* Note: As the art pieces are individually hand-made, the color and dimensions will vary slightly.