Byakko
| Zone | Level | Drops | Steal | Spawns | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ru'Aun Gardens | 88 - 90 |
|
|
1 | A, T(S), T(H) ~21,500 HP ??? MP |
| The Shrine of Ru'Avitau | 83 - 84 |
|
|
1 Assists: Kirin |
A, H ??? HP ??? MP |
|
HP = Detects Low HP; M = Detects Magic; Sc = Follows by Scent; T(S) = True-sight; T(H) = True-hearing JA = Detects job abilities; WS = Detects weaponskills; Z(D) = Asleep in Daytime; Z(N) = Asleep at Nighttime; A(R) = Aggressive to Reive participants | |||||
| Spawn Conditions | Companions/Summons |
|---|---|
|
|
| Special Abilities | Passive Traits |
|
|
| Physical Qualities | Magical Qualities |
|
Spellcasting |
| Further Notes | |
(see testimonials) | |
Notes:
(see videos)
Dialogue
Dialogue when appears
Byakko: "I am Byakko, Divine Guardian of the West. You mortals are not worthy to feel my fangs, but perhaps you might provide a sparse few moments of entertainment."
Dialogue when defeated
Byakko: "I had not known that mortals of such strength and courage existed! I will remember your name, child of Vana'diel."
Historical Background
The Shijin
In Eastern Asian mythological cosmology, the Shijin (also spelled Shishin, Ssu Ling or Si Ling in China) are four guardian beasts that guard the four cardinal directions (North, South, East, West). The four of them are associated with four of the five elements of Chinese philosophy (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth). There is a fifth direction occasionally added (Center) and a fifth guardian beast. Chinese philosophy includes this guardian, but Japanese does not. They are independent of the Chinese Zodiac Animals and they each rule a quadrant of the night sky. They evidently originated during the Warring States Period of Chinese history (400s BCE - 221 BCE) and were frequently painted on the walls of tombs to ward off evil spirits. The Shijin have frequently been used in Animé programs (Fushigi Yugi, Yu Yu Hakusho, Samurai Deeper Kyo, and Digimon), as well as some other video games, most notably SaGa 1 (1989/1990, sold in the United States as Final Fantasy Legend, published by Square).
Guardian of the West
The Guardian of the West is the White Tiger. The White Tiger is connected with the direction West, the season Autumn, the element Metal, and the color white. The Guardian's Japanese name is Byakko, its Chinese name is Baihu (or Bai Hu), and its Korean name is Baekho. According to Chinese folklore, the emperor is buried with metal in his grave, which 3 days afterward was supposed to assume the form of a white tiger which crouched over the grave as if to protect it. Traditionally, the White Tiger was seen as a protector and defender, not to mention the king of animals and lord of mountains. It is associated with fighting enemies of the kingdom for the living and slaughtering demons threatening the graves and spirits of the dead. In China, it was considered an emblem of the generals of the military; they often wore a tiger made from white jade. When translated into the five Japanese elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Void, Byakko is assigned the element Wind.
The seven Seishuku (constellations) of the White Tiger are: Tokaki Boshi (foot stars), Tatara Boshi (lasso stars), Ekie Boshi (stomach stars), Subaru Boshi (unity stars), Amefuri Boshi (net stars), Toroki Boshi (snout stars), and Kagasuki Boshi (visiting stars). The lunar mansion (constellations the Moon passes through in Chinese & Vedic astrology) which is considered the center of this Shijin is the Subaru (known in the West as the Pleiades, a star cluster in Taurus). This sector of the sky contains the Western/Arabic constellations Aries, Taurus, Orion, Andromeda, and part of Pisces.
The Gods of Tu'Lia
Byakko is spawned using the Autumnstone and the Gem of the West, the season and direction it is associated with. Byakko appears on the Northwest island of Ru'Aun Gardens. The directions of the four islands the Gods of Tu'Lia spawn on are not at the cardinal directions, so the mythology cannot be represented in that regard. Byakko uses Light-element attacks, which can be considered the closest equivalent to the Metal-element (notice that many Arcana are machines bearing the Light-element). Byakko also drops Zephyr, which means "Western wind".
