Origin of the Gods and Seishi

The Seishi of Fushigi Yuugi is actually based of ancient Chinese starlore, which divides the sky into four sections based on direction, each governed by an animal diety.

In Fushigi Yuugi, as in the starlore, the gods are as follows from the four directions:

Genbu
The Tortise
Hokkan - Northern Country

Byakko The Tiger Sairo - Western Country

Seiryuu The Dragon Kutou - Eastern Country

Suzaku
The Phoenix
Konan - Southern Country

Each of these four gods have seven constellations (seishuku) that are dedicated to them in each of these quadrants. In the story of Fushigi Yuugi, these are the names of the Seishi, the seven protectors of the Miko (Priestess/Maiden) of that quadrant.

As far as the story of Fushigi Yuugi goes, the following is a complete listing of Seishi. For those whose powers are known, their powers are listed. However, because this a complete listing of Seishi, and not all Seishi were not characterized in Fushigi Yuugi, only the names and kanji are listed for them. (This is especially true for Genbu and Byakko, who had very few Seishi in the story of Fushigi Yuugi.)

*Tokaki, Subaru, and Tatara are the only Byakko Seishi to have appeared in the Fushigi Yuugi story. They play a key role in the happenings in Sairo.

*For Genbu seishi, Hikitsu and Tomite were shown in Fushigi Yuugi episode #34. Hatsui and Urumiya were shown very briefly in 1st OAV series #3.