Four Heavenly Kings
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Under the Buddhist faith, the Four Heavenly Kings (Sanskrit: Deva-raja; Chinese: Tianwang or Tienwang (天王); Japanese: Shitennou (四天王)) are four guardian gods who reside at the foot of Mount Sumeru, each of whom is responsible for one cardinal direction. They are the protectors of the world and fighters of evil, each able to command a legion of supernatural creatures to protect the Dharma. In Sanskrit they are Dhritarashtra (guardian of the east), Virupaksha (the west), Vaishravana (the north) and Virudhaka (the south).
| Direction | Season | Sanskrit Name | Meaning | Chinese Name | Japanese Name |
| North | Winter | Vaishravana | “He who hears everything” | 多聞天 | Tamonten / Bishamonten |
| South | Summer | Virudhaka | “He who enlarges” | 增長天 | Zouchoten |
| East | Spring | Dhritarashtr | "He who maintains the state" | 持國天 | Jikokuten |
| West | Autumn | Virupaksha | "He who sees all" | 廣目天 | Koumokuten |
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In Chinese they are known collectively as "Feng1 Tiao2 Yu3 Shun4" (風調雨順), which translates into "Good Climate".
Their names also represent the weapons they use. (The Chinese language uses tones, with a different tone having a different meaning.)
"Feng1" sounds like "edge", hence the corresponding weapon is a sword. "Tiao2" sounds like "coil", hence the corresponding weapon is a ("coil" of) dragon. "Yu3" means "rain", hence the corresponding weapon is an umbrella. The umbrella can release rains of daggers. "Shun4" sounds like the name of a Chinese musical instrument, hence the corresponding weapon is exactly that. The musical instrument can create dis-harmonious music and sound waves to confuse enemies and give them headaches.
"Shitennou" is also the proper term for the male servants of Queen Beryl in the series Sailor Moon commonly referred to in fandom as "Generals".
"Shitennou" is the Japanese term for the Four Guardians of Master X in the videogame series Mega Man Zero.
The Four Heavenly Kings of Cantopop are Aaron Kwok, Jacky Cheung, Leon Lai, and Andy Lau. The Four Young Heavenly Kings of Cantopop are Hacken Lee, Andy Hui, Leo Ku and Edmond Leung.