Red Gold and the Myth of Four Directions

Red Gold and the Myth of Four Directions

Alchemists sought the Philosopher's Stone, believed to grant immortality and wisdom. Alchemy exists in both Western and Eastern traditions. The Philosopher's Stone is red because its primary ingredient is cinnabar (mercuric sulfide), a compound of sulfur and mercury. In alchemy, sulfur is likened to fire and mercury to water. Their union creates the Philosopher's Stone, also known as "Red Gold."

In ancient China, alchemy was called Waidan (External Alchemy). "Dan" is another name for red cinnabar. The techniques of alchemy were known as Xian arts or Fangshi, and the elixir of immortality was called Jindan (Golden Elixir), meaning "Red Gold." Those who consumed it were called Xian (Immortals).

In Norse mythology, Red Gold appears in the myth of the "Otter's Ransom." While traveling with Odin, the god Loki killed an otter, which was actually the shape-shifted form of a being named Otr. Otr's father detained Odin and demanded a ransom from Loki. To pay it, Loki stole the Red Gold of the dwarf Andvari, who lived in the land of the Elves (Alfar). This Red Gold was long guarded by Otr’s brother, Fafnir, who transformed into a dragon, but it was eventually seized by the hero Sigurd (Siegfried). By slaying the dragon and eating its heart, Sigurd gained wisdom; by bathing in its blood, he attained immortality—except for one vulnerable spot, which eventually led to his death.

Later, the Red Gold passed to the brothers of Sigurd’s wife. Through the schemes of the Huns (identified as the Xiongnu, rivals of ancient China’s Han dynasty), Sigurd’s brothers-in-law were captured. The elder brother demanded the younger’s heart to be cut out and then committed suicide, taking the secret of the Red Gold to his grave. Archeologically, these Huns are considered descendants of the Xiongnu who migrated from Asia to Europe. Under Modu Chanyu (r. 209–174 BC), the Xiongnu ruled all of Mongolia and defeated Liu Bang of the Han dynasty. In the Later Han period, the Xiongnu split into Northern and Southern branches. The Southern Xiongnu integrated with the Han people, while the Northern Xiongnu migrated to Kazakhstan in the mid-2nd century. The Huns who devastated 4th-century Europe are believed to be their descendants.

From Sima Qian's Shiji: "During the time of Modu Chanyu, the Xiongnu cavalry rode horses of four colors: white in the west, blue-gray in the east, black in the north, and reddish-chestnut in the south." In the **Book of Zechariah** (Old Testament), chariots appear pulled by four types of horses—red, black, white, and dappled—called the four winds of heaven. In the **Book of Revelation** (New Testament), four horses—white, red, black, and pale—appear, each ruling a quarter of the world.

In ancient India, the **Ashvamedha (Horse Sacrifice)**, mentioned in the *Mahabharata*, was the highest royal ritual. A sacred horse, symbolizing the sun, was guided in the four cardinal directions. From the Ashvamedha liturgy: "You have three connections in heaven; three in the water. Thus, you are one with Varuna." In Egypt, a land of sun worship, the four sides of the **pyramids** are precisely aligned with the four cardinal directions. Notably, pyramids are also found in Mesoamerica. In **Mayan mythology**, the **Chaacs**, gods of the four directions, appear: Chac Xib Chac (Red Man) in the east, Sac Xib Chac (White Man) in the north, Ek Xib Chac (Black Man) in the west, and Kan Xib Chac (Yellow Man) in the south.

China has legends of the **Dragon Kings of the Four Seas**: Qinglong (Azure Dragon) of the East, Honglong (Red Dragon) of the South, Bailong (White Dragon) of the West, and Heilong (Black Dragon) of the North. The concepts of the Four Symbols—Xuanwu (Black Tortoise), Qinglong, Zhuque (Vermilion Bird), and Baihu (White Tiger)—emerged around the Warring States period (403–221 BC). **Xuanwu** represents the North, **Qinglong** the East, **Zhuque** the South, and **Baihu** the West. The White Tiger, one of the four direction gods, is seen as the incarnation of Venus and the demon of the "Demon Gate" (Northeast/Ushitora). It is also known as Konjin (Golden God), Taibai (Venus), and the White Emperor.

In **Aztec mythology**, the heart of the **White Tezcatlipoca** (an alias for **Quetzalcoatl**, the Feathered Serpent who, like Prometheus, gave fire and civilization to humanity) remained unburnt in the flames and ascended to heaven to become Venus. There is also a **Red Tezcatlipoca** (Tonatiuh) in the east, the god presiding over human sacrifice. Aztecs offered the hearts of living sacrifices to the sun god. Legend says a leader named **Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl**, opposing the practice of sacrifice, was defeated and departed for the "Land of Black and Red."