UNJournal Jon Lee | The white tiger painting is one of the four deities in traditional East Asian culture, and is a painting of a white tiger symbolizing the west. It depicts four sacred animals: the blue dragon, the jujak, the white tiger, and the hyeonmu, which represent the directions of east, west, south and north, as well as the five elements, the seasons, and various attributes of nature.

Symbolism and characteristics of the white tiger

The white tiger represents the west and symbolizes gold. In the Five Elements, gold represents hardness and strength, which is in line with its bravery and majesty. The white tiger also represents the fall season, symbolizing a time of harvest and maturity. In the image of the white tiger, its long, curved body moves gracefully, reflecting the beauty of nature as it blends harmoniously with the autumn winds.

In particular, the white tiger has a beard on its chin, giving it a more mysterious and majestic appearance. It is considered to be the youngest and most energetic of the four deities, and is based on the real-life tiger. In this sense, the white tiger has always fascinated the human imagination as a creature that bridges the gap between reality and mythology.

Manufacturing process of the white tiger painting 

White tiger painting is traditionally made on natural materials such as hemp cloth. For this piece, the hemp cloth is covered with raw lacquer and then painted over. The raw lacquer makes the piece more durable and adds a unique depth of texture, while the coloring technique brings out the vibrancy and natural curves of the white tiger.

The large scale white tiger painting with the 100-ho size makes a strong impression on the viewer through its magnificent scale. With its long body and graceful curves, the white tiger appears to be racing toward the western sky, inspiring a sense of reverence for the order and mystery of nature.

Cultural significance

More than just a work of art, the White Tiger painting is considered a philosophical expression of traditional ideas and views of nature. Through its association with the west, gold, and autumn, the white tiger represents the completion and maturation of the life cycle, while also suggesting a new beginning for the future.

What makes the White Tiger painting a particularly notable figure among the four deities is its unique harmony. Power and grace, reality and mythology, nature and human imagination come together to form a complete world, and the white tiger represents the essence of traditional East Asian art.

Its fascination goes beyond simply recreating the heritage of the past. In modern times, it has been reinterpreted in many forms, serving as a cultural bridge between tradition and modernity. In this sense, it remains a significant artistic and cultural legacy that is still relevant today.