Cardinal Gods (no ontology)

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| colspan="2" | Cardinal Gods
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| colspan="2" | Si Xiang, 四象…
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The '''Cardinal Gods''' (Suukikyou-kami, 枢機卿神) are divine entities in [[Mazeworld]]. They are creatures derived from the Asian legends about the Four Symbols.

In [[Mazeworld]], they are said to be among the most powerful beings of the realm, although no more than the [[Game Master|GMs]] themselves. A religion is centered around those creatures; this religion is called '''Cardinal Shintoism''', though it may just be referred to as '''Shinto(ism)'''. Anyone in the Mazes may follow Shinto principles and pay their homages to the Gods, but the only "official" members of the religion are those who actively work in shrines and have followed a strict religious education: those people are [[shrine maiden|shrine maidens]].<br/>
The actual influence and role of the Gods in the Mazes is of importance only to the [[Contestant|contestant]], as the latter is seeking for their holy artifacts, namely the [[Cardinal Amulet|Cardinal Amulets]].

The Gods are among the most powerful beings in Mazeworld and are never directly encountered. The closest from this is hearing their voice at shrines, while '''praying'''. Their names are: '''Genbu''', '''Seiryuu''', '''Byakko''', '''Suzaku'''.

The Game Masters used and harnessed the Cardinal Gods as sources of power to help them in creating [[Mazeworld]] inside of [[the Interloper]], shaping it into the realm as it is known nowadays. Although they are worshipped in the Mazes, they do not have as much a direct influence on the realm as the GMs themselves do. The [[Cardinal Amulet|Amulets]] have been forged in their images, as symbols of every deity's attributed powers.

==== Genbu ====
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'''Genbu''' ('''玄武''', or '''Xuanwu''' in Chinese), also known as '''the Black Tortoise''', is the Cardinal God of the '''North'''. He takes the appearance of a massive black tortoise with a snake-like tail coiling around his body. The kanji '''北''' (North) is engraved on his forehead, above his eyes.

Genbu is worshiped in Mazeworld as a symbol of winter, and as a god of longevity and well-being.

==== Seiryuu ====
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'''Seiryuu''' ('''青竜''', or '''Qinglong''' in Chinese), also known as '''the Azure Dragon''', is the Cardinal God of the '''East'''. He takes the appearance of a seemingly endlessly long, turquoise dragon with thick scales and horns made of silver. The kanji '''東''' (East) is engraved on his head, between his eyes.

Seiryuu is worshiped in Mazeworld as a symbol of spring, and as a god of strength and courage.

==== Byakko ====
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'''Byakko''' ('''白虎''', or '''Baihu''' in Chinese), also known as '''the White Tiger''', is the Cardinal God of the '''West'''. He takes the appearance of a large, white-colored tiger with black stripes and elongated fangs. The kanji '''西''' (West) is depicted by stripes on its forehead, similar to his tiger stripes.

Byakko is worshiped in Mazeworld as a symbol of autumn, and as a god of of peace and virtue.

==== Suzaku ====
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'''Suzaku''' ('''朱雀''', or '''Zhuque''' in Chinese), also known as '''the Vermilion Bird''', is the Cardinal God of the '''South'''. He takes the appearance of a crimson, phoenix-like bird with feathers colored a red-orange gradient. The kanji '''南''' (South) is on its head between its eyes.

Suzaku is worshiped in Mazeworld as a symbol of summer, and as a god of grace and elegance.

=== Trivia ===
*In versions prior to 1.5 and early 1.5 games, the Gods were encountered directly by the contestant, who gave the Amulets directly. Now, the Amulets are found alone.

== Gallery ==
{|
| [http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k533/SU_Tempest/Genbu_by_Vyrilien.jpg <[#img [hash NQYQRAEN4XBZAP8CHNBST2EBHP] [width 150]]>]
| colspan="2" | [http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k533/SU_Tempest/Seiryuu_by_Vyrilien.jpg <[#img [hash Z6YP62N3PN3T4EEFN116Y8T40F] [width 150]]>]
| colspan="2" | [http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k533/SU_Tempest/Byakko_by_Vyrilien.jpg <[#img [hash MHF0JPQN5N1KG51E3FPBM5NM0M] [width 150]]>]
| colspan="2" | [http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k533/SU_Tempest/Suzaku_by_Vyrilien.jpg <[#img [hash 2094044QJ1QJAYC2T3P8GJ1NDD] [width 150]]>]
|-
| All art by [http://vyrilien.deviantart.com Vyrilien].
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== See also ==
*[[Cardinal Amulet]]
*[[Shrine maiden]]
*[[Key Item]]