Vermilion Bird (god said to rule over the southern heavens); seven mansions (Chinese constellations) of the southern heavens
red flame; (solar) prominence
Black Tortoise (god said to rule over the northern heavens); seven mansions (Chinese constellations) of the northern heavens
legendary; fabled; fabulous
blue dragon (an auspicious creature in Chinese mythology); Azure Dragon (god said to rule over the eastern heavens)
demon of the sixth heaven in the realm of desire who tries to prevent people from doing good
White Tiger (god said to rule over the western heavens); seven mansions (Chinese constellations) of the western heavens
creative work (e.g. artistic, literary)
handing down (information); legend; tradition; folklore; transmission
impatience; uneasiness; irritation; fretfulness
diamond dust; ice crystals
to tear off; to pluck; to scratch off
in all ages; over the ages; forever and ever
moderately; in moderation
water vapour; water vapor; steam
to practice magic; to practise magic
as good as dead; might as well be dead; more dead than alive
old enemy; longtime enemy; arch-enemy; traditional rival; longstanding foe
world domination; global domination
high-pressure salesmanship; the hard sell; aggressive peddling
idea; thought; discretion; forgiveness; pardon
had better ...; may as well ...
things to do; must-do items; one's duty; what is required
superfine; extra-fine; extremely thin; extra-fine woollen yarn
grumbling; muttering; nonsense
divine messenger; messenger of a god (esp. an animal messenger)
low-altitude flying; having consistently poor results (grades, sales, etc.); barely scraping by; being on the verge of failing
iron hammer; (fig.) crushing blow
valley (with a river running through it); gorge; ravine; canyon
tortoise; turtle; heavy drinker; turtle crest; turtle mon
belligerence; fighting spirit
fall; decline; string apron; ornamental cords hanging from the front of a sumo wrestler's belt; food offering to the gods; leftovers