In ancient China, there were four kinds of animals which are the symbol of luck and peace. Chinese think that kylin, Phoenix, Tortoise and Dragon are miraculous, calling them as "Four Lucky Animals". In face, except for tortoise, the other three are all legendary animals which were created from imaginations of Chinese.

Kylin in legend has a body like a deer in scutum. There is a single nubby horn on its head. Feet are just like hooves of horses, and tail is just like oxtail, Kylin is regarded as a very kind animal with a moral character. All of the emperors in the past dynasties regarded it as the symbol of peace. In Forbidden City and Summer Palace of Beijing, there are many statues of kylin. Some are copper-casting, some are stone-carving. Among people, Kylin is also highly respected. During Spring Festival, people in southern China make the paper-cut kylin in the festival opera to express their best wishes to each other. Moreover, there is another legend called "Kylin Brings the Son", in which it both symbolizes the success of a new generation and represents the wish for the birth of a son and continuation of the family tree.

Phoenix has a beautiful crista on its head and colorful feathers on body. It is an imaginary lucky bird that is combined from characters of many other birds and animals. Phoenix is the King of the Birds in Chinese legend, meaning luck, peace and rightness. Phoenix, with the dragon, were regarded by emperors as the symbol of their power and dignity. Phoenix coronet, phoenix carriage and all other things that are related to phoenix were specially reserved for royalty and divine. However, phoenix became a mascot among the people. especially in the traditional Chinese wedding, phoenix is the most important decoration on the bridal dress and headwear, signifying luck and happiness. In Chinese traditional design and drawings, phoenix image is quite popular and it brings luck and peace to people. Phoenix is also designed together with other mascots, like "Dragon and Phoenix", "Phoenix and Kylin", etc. They all have meaning of luck.

Tortoise is an exception in "Four Lucky Animals", as it really exists and has the longest life span among anamals. Chinese not only regard it as the symbol of longevity, but also think it has the ability to foresee the life. In old China, before significant activities, the fortuneteller will always bake the shell of tortoise, and then read the future according to the cracks in the shell. Therefore, tortoise was called "Saint Tortoise". Saint Tortoise was highly respected in China. In emperor's palaces and houses there were statuaries of tortoise which were made of copper or stone, giving a blessing for the long life of dynasties.

Dragon is regarded as the number one animal of the Chinese totem, and it is most important mascot. People are quite familiar with image of the dragon, but nobody has ever seen a real one. Dragon was born from imagination of people , just like phoenix and kylin. It has a bull's head, a deer's horn, a lobster's eyes, an eagle's claws, a snake's body, a loin's tail and is covered with scutum. It is a combination of different kinds of animals. In the imagination, dragon can walk on land, swim under water, and fly in the sky. It has incredible powers. Over thousands of years in China, emperors treated it as the symbol of power and dignity, and in the mind of common people, it also had virtue and power. It is definitely a lucky totem. One could find image of dragon everywhere in China. On the roof of the palaces and temples, on the devices of royalty, the dragon is painted and sculptured. During festivals, people will post picture of dragon, and play dragon light, dragon boat and dragon dance. Even use for naming their children, they like to use the word dragon, Being the most important one among "Four Lucky Animals", the symbol of whole Chinese nation. Chinese all over the world call themselves Dragon's descendants.