東漢青玉四靈座
尺寸: 長 36 cm
說明: 四靈獸為青龍為東方之神；白虎為西方
之神；朱雀為南方之神；玄武為北方之神。《三輔黃圖》曰：“青龍、白虎、朱雀、
玄武， 天之四靈，以正四方，王者制宮闕殿閣取法焉。本器青玉雕琢青龍、白虎、朱雀、玄武四靈。本四靈青玉座可能用作紙鎮或
筆架, 本器古玉跡象有差異風化及鈣化跡象.
年代: 漢代 Han Dynasty

Carved with pale tone jade, high relief motif of  the four auspicious animals of Dragon, Tiger, Phoenix and Turtle coupling with Snake are presented. The object may be used as paperweight or brush handle. Antiquity evidences are differential weathering and calcification.

The constellations or Xiù (宿) are grouped by the four directions, East, West, South and North.

The dragon occupies the East and contains the constellations:角 (Jiăo) Horn,亢 (Kàng) Neck,氐 (Dĭ) Root,房 (Fáng) Room,心 (Xīn) Heart,尾 (Wěi) Tail
箕 (Jī ) Winnowing basket

The tiger is in the West and contains the constellations:奎 (Kuí) Legs,娄 (Lóu) Bond,胃 (Wèi) Stomach,昴 (Mǎo) Hairy Head,毕 (Bì) Net,觜 (Zuǐ) Turtle Beak,參 (Cān) Join – Three Stars

The scarlet or vermillion bird is in the South and contains the constellations:井 (Jǐng) Well
鬼 (Guǐ) Demon,柳 (Lǐ) Willow,星 (Xīng) Star,张 (Zhāng) Growth,翼 (Yì) Wings,軫 (Zhěn) Deep emotion
The tortoise occupies the North and contains the constellations:斗 (Dǒu) Dipper,牛 (Níu) Ox,女 (Nǚ) Woman,虛 (Xū) Emptiness,危 (Wēi) Danger,室 (Shì) Room,壁 (Bì) Wall

Proverb: An angry man is not fit to pray( Yiddish ).