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Published: 2007-12-31 13:19:06 +0000 UTC; Views: 116093; Favourites: 4605; Downloads: 14180
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Description
Also known as the White Tiger of the West 西方白虎Byakko (or Bai Hu in Chinese) is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese Constellation, along with Genbu (Black Tortoise) Seiryuu (Blue Dragon) and Suzaku (Red Sparrow). Byakko represents the West, the autumn season and the element of Metal (Wind in the Japanese system).
I love the Four Symbols and I've always wanted to paint them, but for some reason it never turned out quite like I wanted to (I have a failed Suzaku gathering dust somewhere in the dark crevices of my harddisc) And it just so happened that I recently mentioned my account to friends of mine and my Mom suggested me to draw a tiger (since I love those so much) Then, my brother forced me to draw a decent Background for once (as you can see I cheated
Took me a damn while to get the head to look good, but I'm pleased with the result. I used the same colour scheme and used the same dodge technique (though not as much) as I've used in 'Ophis Astra'. Since that piece turned out to be the most popular thing in my gallery I figured I gave the sky thing another try.
Oh and just a tidbit more about Byakko which I shamelessly copied from Wikipedia
During the Han Dynasty, people believed the tiger to be the king of all beasts. Legend had it that when a tiger reached 500 years old, its tail would turn white. In this way, the white tiger became a mythological creature. It was said that the white tiger would only appear when the emperor ruled with absolute virtue, or if there was peace throughout the world. Because the color white of the Chinese five elements also represents the west, the white tiger thus became a mythological guardian of the west.
Enough rambling now. I hope you like it!
~Vyrilien
Medium: Painter 2, PS (for the dodge tool), Wacom Tablet
Time taken: I'd say an hour or six
Other parts in the Series (Four Symbols):
Seiryuu: [link]
Genbu: [link]
Suzaku: [link]
And a hidden Fifth...
Huang Long: [link]
PS: those characters in the corner aren't the tiger's name. It's my Chinese name
Related content
Comments: 477
Vyrilien In reply to ??? [2011-08-17 08:57:43 +0000 UTC]
Oh wow, such a big compliment! I am glad that you are happy with my interpretations
The Kirin is indeed on the list of creatures I want to paint in the future! I can't say when I'll get around to it though; I still have many other ideas and paintings lying around waiting to be painted
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iPodluigi505 In reply to ??? [2011-06-12 11:43:42 +0000 UTC]
Beautiful! There's nothing more that can be said!
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GrahamAker [2011-06-11 12:52:14 +0000 UTC]
I really like your byakko.
Its simply Beautiful.....Keep doing more! Your mythological creatures works are really nice!
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Vyrilien In reply to GrahamAker [2011-06-11 17:49:38 +0000 UTC]
Thank you so much for all the lovely comments! I am very that you'd enjoy my work
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GrahamAker In reply to Vyrilien [2011-06-12 04:29:38 +0000 UTC]
If its ok Could I use your works to make forum signatures?
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Vyrilien In reply to GrahamAker [2011-06-12 08:14:12 +0000 UTC]
I'm fine with that, go ahead
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Siraru In reply to ??? [2011-05-29 22:41:06 +0000 UTC]
Those characters are... your chinese name, awesome! Byakko and Seiryuu are my favourites from this group of sacred animals, and you made them beautifully!
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janraemendoza In reply to ??? [2011-05-18 09:01:43 +0000 UTC]
Hello Vyrilien! I'm Janrae Mendoza and I'm a game programmer and a freelance novelist. I came across your artworks and I am stunned by its beauty and originality. I just want to ask if I can use your Four Guardian Beasts artworks for my game?
Its about Byakko and his seven stars, the best art I saw for Byakko is yours, so if you may, can I borrow this arts?
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Vyrilien In reply to janraemendoza [2011-05-30 17:35:24 +0000 UTC]
Hello Janrae, I'm sorry for replying so late. Thank you for your compliments, I am very flattered~!
I usually am fine with people using my work for minor things, but in this case I'll need a bit more info before I agree. What type of game is it? Are you making this game for commercial reasons (making money from it) and it what way would my work feature in it?
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janraemendoza In reply to Vyrilien [2011-06-04 05:52:55 +0000 UTC]
Hi there! My game is a indie-non profit game. So its free to play and you can download it somewhere once it's done.
Its a community RPG game. It is mainly based on the Chinese myth about the four beasts or guardian gods in other terms. I would like to use your works as covers and Guilds Sign Pictures.
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Vyrilien In reply to janraemendoza [2011-06-04 08:49:55 +0000 UTC]
As long as you credit me (just my online username: Vyrilien) and maybe a link to my deviantART page (though that isn't absolutely necessary) I am okay with you using my work for the purpose you've described
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manuroartis In reply to ??? [2011-02-04 07:38:07 +0000 UTC]
brilliant fantasy drawings !like them a lot.
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peachesmarie In reply to ??? [2010-12-26 07:05:12 +0000 UTC]
Gorgeous. I know this an old piece, but I just stumbled on it. Literally. stumbleupon :3
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jazzilady In reply to ??? [2010-12-19 18:42:51 +0000 UTC]
A very stunning presentation! Lovely!
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DeatH-OF-InnocencE In reply to ??? [2010-12-16 16:57:41 +0000 UTC]
I agree full heatedly with Coldshadow25
its an amazing piece of work!
<3 it
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Coldshadow25 In reply to ??? [2010-11-17 15:33:40 +0000 UTC]
You know the minute I looked at this I totally fell in love with it. I have a great love for tigers and find this to be one of the most astounding piece of works I have ever seen. Definately brilliant, thank you for this.
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EtherealIV In reply to ??? [2010-11-10 00:18:51 +0000 UTC]
It's so unique! So... So.. Amazing!! <3 I love it!
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OverdriveZenith In reply to ??? [2010-09-27 22:59:19 +0000 UTC]
Badass, isnt it?
Im speachless
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SheWolf-26 [2010-09-25 07:18:58 +0000 UTC]
This is fantastic! I just searched dA for 'Bai Hu' just to see what artworks there and and I saw this and though omg, this is amazing. Great work!
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GenkoFox In reply to ??? [2010-08-27 10:54:07 +0000 UTC]
omg! So your the amazing artist of this picture! Omg!
@.@
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Kimerasaurus In reply to ??? [2010-08-18 06:09:13 +0000 UTC]
This is a very powerful and beautiful piece of art.
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ChildofAldur In reply to ??? [2010-06-03 14:16:52 +0000 UTC]
i absolutely adore your work! you're a wonderful artist! i love the smokey effect you used on the guardians
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svet-svet In reply to ??? [2010-02-12 10:10:40 +0000 UTC]
Your wonderful art is featured in my journal [link]
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AkakitsuneX3 [2009-12-19 02:33:59 +0000 UTC]
Amazing picture! I'm amazed that I hadn't seen this until now! I love the way you did fur in this. Great background too!
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IndyMan33 In reply to ??? [2009-12-05 20:29:51 +0000 UTC]
Someone has stolen your work!
[link]
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tairow [2009-10-25 00:22:16 +0000 UTC]
just amazing, love all tigers!!! thanks so much for this artwork...
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divelcatz [2009-10-07 01:14:30 +0000 UTC]
Hei
I have read that in the japanese system byakko represents earth.
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Tomaolykos In reply to divelcatz [2009-11-22 17:11:31 +0000 UTC]
Actually, it represents the Metal
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divelcatz In reply to Tomaolykos [2009-12-11 19:12:08 +0000 UTC]
Okay, I thought that was the ryuujin (sp?)
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