Digimon Sovereigns

The Digimon Sovereigns are a group of fictional characters that appear in the Digimon media franchise. They are derived from the Japanese myth of the Four Gods of Kyoto, itself derived from the Chinese myth of the Four Symbols, and like the Gods they represent and rule over the four cardinal points of the compass&mdash;Azulongmon to the east, Zhuqiaomon to the south, Baihumon to the west, and Ebonwumon to the north. There is also a fifth member, Fanglongmon, who represents the center of the compass and rules over the others.

In Japan, the group is known as the Four Holy Beasts (『四聖獣』). They are also known as the Four Harmonious Ones in the Digimon Adventure mythos.

Name Origins
The constellations of the Four Symbols are:
 * Azure Dragon of the East (『青龍』), who represents the element of wood and season of Spring. In Japanese, its name is read as "Seiryū" (『せいりゅう』).
 * Vermillion Bird of the South (『朱雀』), who represents the element of fire and season of Summer. In Japanese, its name is read as "Suzaku" (『すざく』).
 * White Tiger of the West (『白虎』), who represents the element of metal and season of Autumn. In Japanese, its name is read as "Byakko" (『びゃっこ』).
 * Black Tortoise of the North (『玄武』), who represents the element of water and season of Winter. In Japanese, its name is read as "Genbu" (『げんぶ』).
 * Yellow Dragon of the Center (『黄龍』), who represents the element of earth and changing of the seasons. It is based on the Yellow Emperor (『黃帝』 "Huáng Dì") and so is not present in Japanese mythology.

While the Chinese names were used for the Digimon themselves, their Japanese names were used in Digimon World 3 for the four cities at the cardinal points of the map on the Asuka server; their Chinese names were also used for this purpose on the Amaterasu server of the same game. The elements of Azulongmon and Ebonwumon were changed from wood and water to lightning and wood.

Digimon Adventure 02
The Harmonious Ones are the guardians of the four compass points of the Digital World. Azulongmon is the guardian of the Eastern region, where the Japanese DigiDestined's adventures take place (corresponding to the Real World location of the human partners).

In this series, all four Harmonious Ones were defeated and sealed away by the Dark Masters. It was then that seven of the eight DigiDestined came to the Digital World. Once all of the eight had returned to their own world to fight Myotismon, the Dark Masters dismantled and shaped the Digital World to fit their own needs, forming Spiral Mountain. The eight children and their Digimon returned to the Digital World and were able to defeat the Dark Masters. However, the Harmonious Ones were still trapped beneath the seal. In order to break the seal, they needed to take away the power from the DigiDestined’s Crests (It was the Crest of Light and Hope respectively that broke Azulongmon's seal, Courage and Friendship unsealed one of the four seals, Sincerity and Love released another seal, and finally Knowledge and Reliability broke the last seal - it was suggested that two Crest were needed to break a seal). Unfortunately, it meant that the eight children's Digimon could no longer Digivolve to their Ultimate levels. However, after the Crests' powers were unleashed, they were imprisoned once again thanks to the influence of the Control Spires. When Ken Ichijouji brought his Dark D-3 into the Digital World, the Harmonious Ones were only able to find new Digimon who had the ancient power to Armor Digivolve, thus bypassing the evil powers of the Control Spires that prevented Digimon from regular digivolving. An unseen force then created the D-3 Digivices for the new DigiDestined and selected various Digimon who had the power to Armor Digivolve and sealed them underneath the Digi-Eggs. However, the Digimon (Gatomon and Patamon) belonging to the DigiDestined with the Crest of Light (Hikari "Kari" Kamiya) and Hope (Takeru "T.K." Takaishi) were also capable of Armor digivolving. Also the Crest of Kindness was hidden from Ken by the powers of darkness, so it was necessary for the Harmonious Ones to rebuild it into the Digi-egg of Miracles.

Digimon Adventure 02: D-1 Tamers
In this game, which serves as a prelude to Adventure 02, the four Harmonious Ones draw Ryo Akiyama into the Digital World, and organize a tournament under false pretenses, so that Ryo may grow in power so that he will be strong enough to defeat Millenniummon. This was most likely done in the time between their release by the powers of the Crests, and their resealment by the Control Spires.

Digimon Tamers
The four Sovereigns played an important role in Digimon Tamers. In this series, the most prominent of the four is Zhuqiaomon, but unlike Digimon Adventure 02 (season 2), all four Sovereigns make an appearance.

The Digimon Sovereigns live on the 6th, highest plain of the Digital World, along with the Catalyst, or Shining Digivolution. They were some of the first Digimon to reach their highest form, and in an attempt to distance themselves from humans, they ironically took the appearance of the humans' gods.

When the D-Reaper began to re-emerge, the four Sovereigns could not agree on a strategy. Zhuqiaomon believed that they should use the Shining Digivolution to allow Digimon to digivolve and fight back, while Azulongmon believed that it was the Digimon's ability to grow in strength that had brought the D-Reaper out in the first place. He had the DigiGnomes transform the Shining Digivolution into Calumon.

With the loss of the power to Digivolve, Zhuqiaomon, thinking that the Digimon could instead grow stronger by defeating humanity, sent his Devas into the Real World. Soon, his servant, Makuramon, discovered Calumon and attempted to return him Zhuqiaomon, causing the Tamers to follow him in an attempt to rescue their friend. Makuramon, however, lost Calumon and the Tamers found him, and Chatsuramon recaptured him.

After being separated, and a long, difficult trek across the Digital World, The Tamers arrived at Zhuqiaomon's domain. As they battled him, Azulongmon made his appearance. Meanwhile, Ryo Akiyama encountered Ebonwumon and Baihumon in the latter's domain, and soon, they all gathered in Zhuqiaomon's area, just as the D-Reaper was beginning to make its appearance. Here, a compromise was made, and the Sovereigns implored Calumon to release the power so that Digimon could digivolve and fight back. Thus, it was Zhuqiaomon's plan that prevailed in the end, even though that does not excuse his methods in attacking the Tamers.

The Sovereigns would lead their new army of Mega Digimon (made up of MetalSeadramon, Machinedramon, three Diaboromon, a Digimon that might be Pukumon, Gryphonmon, Hououmon, Boltmon, Plesiomon, GranKuwagamon, Jijimon, and Babamon) to fight the D-Reaper in the Digital World. Later, they would travel to the Real World, and help the Tamers by removing the Cable Reaper from the battle.

Members
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Zhuqiaomon
Zhuqiaomon is an Exalted Bird Digimon, one of the four Digimon Sovereigns and the Guardian of the Digital World's Southern Hemisphere. His name is derived from the Zhū Què, the "Vermillion Sparrow" constellation, parallel to the Japanese Suzaku, which represents the direction south and the element of fire. He commands the Devas Sandiramon, Pajiramon, and Indramon.

Zhuqiaomon has a rude personality, incinerating all who approach him with his fiery aura. Like the other Sovereigns, he has existed since the time of myths. The jet engine on his back allows him to fly at tremendous speeds. He is the only Digimon Sovereign to have the Virus attribute.

Digimon Adventure 02
Although Zhuqiaomon neither appeared nor was mentioned in the series, he was one of the Harmonious Ones (the name of the Sovereigns in this series), who, together with his partners was defeated by the Dark Masters. They were released when the DigiDestined used the powers of their crests. When Ken Ichijouji became the Digimon Emperor, they were sealed again and so created the D-3 Digivice, which they gave the new DigiDestined to fight against Ken.

Digimon Adventure 02: D1 Tamers
Zhuqaiomon makes a full appearance in Digimon Adventure 02: D1 Tamers, set shortly after Ryo Akiyama and Ken Ichijouji defeat Millenniummon, and Ken receives the Dark Spore. In it, Zhuqaiomon and the other Harmonious Ones set up a false contest under the pretense that all but one of them has become evil, and the Tamer who wins the contest must stop the others. Ryo wins this contest, and it is revealed that it was set up to train him to fight Moon=Millenniummon.

Digimon Tamers
Zhuqiaomon sent his servants, the Devas, to find and capture Calumon. Makuramon captured him and attempted but failed to bring him to Zhuqiaomon. He was also behind Impmon's Digivolution to Beelzemon. Chatsuramon later brought Calumon to Zhuqiaomon and he placed Calumon in a pit. When Antylamon became Suzie's partner, Zhuqiaomon's power De-Digivolved Antylamon to Lopmon. During the battle between Beelzemon and Gallantmon, he sent Chatsuramon to destroy Lopmon. Chatsuramon was destroyed by Gallantmon and his data was absorbed by Beelzemon. When the Tamers finally confronted Zhuqiaomon, he did a lot of damage to Rapidmon before Henry and Terriermon Bio-Merged to MegaGargomon and defeated him. Zhuqiaomon, who the Tamers thought was destroyed, emerged and then battled Gallantmon until the Eastern Guardian Azulongmon appeared and stopped the battle. During Azulongmon's story, Zhuqiaomon revealed the catalyst where Calumon's power came from. He took the Tamers to the pit where Calumon was and Calumon was rescued. Baihumon and Ebonwumon met with them to talk about the D-Reaper problem and Zhuqiaomon helped to release Calumon's Shining Digivolution power that Digivolved every Digimon to its Mega Form. When the Tamers started to fight the D-Reaper in the Real World, Zhuqiaomon sent a Dobermon with a message: the receiving of the ability to Bio-Merge in the Real World. In the final battle against the D-Reaper, Zhuqiaomon assisted Azulongmon, Baihumon, and Ebonwumon into dragging the Cable Reaper back into the Digital World during Operation: Doodlebug, thus saving the Tamers. Unlike most other Digimon antagonists, Zhuqiaomon did not attack the humans because of evil intentions, but because he believed them to be a threat to the Digital World for such reasons as their "abuse" of the Catalyst (Calumon). He was actually willing to work with the Tamers (somewhat begrudgingly) when he saw the power of humans and Digimon working together, and he was even willing to accept that their Digimon chose to stay with them.

Attacks
 * Blazing Helix (『紅焔』): Shoots four circling solar flames from his wings.
 * Sonic Zephyr (『煉獄爪』): Creates a powerful rush of destructive wind.
 * Zanka (『残火』)
 * Phoenix Fire: Shoots a blast of fire from his mouth.
 * Desolation Blast: Releases energy from his wings.



Azulongmon
Azulongmon is an Exalted Dragon Digimon, one of the four Digimon Sovereigns and the Guardian of the Digital World's Eastern Hemisphere. He is also one of the Four Great Dragons (alongside of Goldramon, Magnadramon and Megidramon). His Japanese name is Qinglongmon, derived from Qinglong, the Chinese astronomical name for the eastern quadrant of the sky. The Japanese word Seiryuu is also derived from this. He commands the Devas Mihiramon, Majiramon and Antylamon.

Azulongmon appears only in times of critical importance and favors the human/Digimon bond though he rarely helps them and others unless needed to.

Azulongmon is the second highest Sovereign, also the second oldest. He is almost as powerful as the creator Fanglongmon.

Digimon Adventure 02
Each Digidestined's Crest was used to free each of the Guardians (Sovereigns are known as Guardians in 02), it seems that it took two Crests to free one Guardian, and as Azulongmon stated while talking to BlackWarGreymon and the 02 Digidestined, was released by the Crests of Hope and Light.

Azulongmon would drive BlackWarGreymon to destroy the Destiny Stones, which kept the balance of the Digital World intact, by accident. This is because after a stone was destroyed, it would cause Azulongmon to appear briefly in pain. After BlackWarGreymon saw Azulongmon appear, he decided that he was a worthy opponent and that he would continue to destroy the stones in search of him. Ultimately, Azulongmon would be freed when the DigiDestined of 02 used their D-3's to move the final Destiny Stone, causing him to appear. After Azulongmon dispatched BlackWarGreymon, he passed on his knowledge of the past to the DigiDestined, planted his Seeds of Light (seeds that will sprout and take on the same purpose as the Destiny Stones) in place of the destroyed Destiny Stones, and left.

Later, Azulongmon gave the DigiDestined one of this twelve DigiCores, which he did through Gennai. The power of the DigiCore allowed the original DigiDestined's Digimon to Digivolve into Ultimate again, and for Paildramon to Mega Digivolve into Imperialdramon. Azulongmon would later give Taichi "Tai" Kamiya and Agumon more power, allowing Agumon to become WarGreymon once again so that he could fend off BlackWarGreymon.

Another DigiCore was used in New York, America, letting Palmon digivolve to Lillymon. It also gave Veemon and Betamon energy to digivolve into ExVeemon and Seadramon respectively. If this was the same DigiCore, or a different one is unknown.

It was also suggested that BlackWarGreymon got to the human world inadvertently because of Azulongmon. Agumon explained (During the episode Duel of the WarGreymon, also known in Japanese as BlackWarGreymon vs WarGreymon) that when Azulongmon gave the Digidestined the power to fight in the real world (by use of the DigiCore) that the Digital Worlds defenses were weakened, meaning that not much was able to stand in the way of BlackWarGreymon. There was also a portal leading to Mt.Fuji in the digital world, to which BlackWarGreymon used to confront Oikawa. Due to the Digital World defenses being weak, it could be suggested that BlackWarGreymon was powerful enough to open the gate to find Oikawa, or that the gate may have opened itself because the Digital World was weak as it is, and BlackWarGreymon happened to find it and went through it. If Azulongmon had not donated his DigiCore, perhaps BlackWarGreymon would've never made it to the human world, but it was necessary, this led to BlackWarGreymon's coming to the Human World. It seemed that the Digital World's defenses was connected to the Harmonious Ones collective power, and donating the power or sealing it effectively weakens the Digital World.

Digimon Adventure 02: D1 Tamers
Azulongmon makes a full appearance in Digimon Adventure 02: D1 Tamers, set shortly after Ryo Akiyama and Ken Ichijouji defeat Millenniummon, and Ken receives the Dark Spore. In it, Azulongmon and the other Harmonious Ones set up a false contest under the pretense that all but one of them has become evil, and the Tamer who wins the contest must stop the others. Ryo wins this contest, and it is revealed that it was set up to train him to fight Moon=Millenniummon.

Digimon Tamers
Azulongmon first appeared when Zhuqiaomon attacked the Tamers. He saved the humans and their partner Digimon and then shortly fought against Zhuqiaomon. He finally convinced Zhuqiaomon to not attack the Tamers so that they could focus on the true enemy, the D-Reaper. He told the Tamers the history of the Digital World and each of its layers. He and Zhuqiaomon later met with Baihumon and Ebonwumon to discuss the D-Reaper situation and helped to release Calumon's Shining Digivolution power which Digivolved every Digimon to their Mega forms. In the final battle against the D-Reaper, Azulongmon assisted Zhuqiaomon, Ebonwumon, and Baihumon into dragging the D-Reaper back into the Digital World during Operation: Doodlebug, thus saving the Tamers.

Azulongmon has a noticeably different personality in Digimon Tamers then in Digimon Adventure 02. In Adventure 02 he's depicted as extremely witty, while Tamers he's depicted as serious and no-nonsense.

 Attacks 
 * Aurora Force (『蒼雷』): Curls his body into a circle, releasing a powerful blast of electrical energy.
 * Wind Electricity (『風絲華電』)
 * Raijin no Mai (『雷神之舞』)


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Ebonwumon
Ebonwumon is an Exalted Beast Digimon, one of the four Digimon Sovereigns and the Guardian of the Digital World's Northern Hemisphere. His Japanese name is Xuanwumon, derived from Xuanwu, the Chinese astronomical name for the northern quadrant of the sky. The Japanese word Genbu is also derived from this. The Chinese often portray Xuanwu as a tortoise, and the Japanese copied this tradition, as seen in the design of Ebonwumon. He commands the Devas Vajramon, Kumbhiramon and Vikaralamon.

Ebonwumon resembles a tortoise with a second snake-like head and a tree for a shell. He has an affable personality. In the english dub, he has an Irish/Scottish accent. He is the only Digimon Sovereign to have the Vaccine attribute. He is also the oldest of the Digimon Sovereign.

Digimon Adventure 02
Although Ebonwumon neither appeared nor was mentioned in the series, he was one of the Harmonious Ones (the name of the Sovereigns in this series), who, together with his partners was defeated by the Dark Masters. They were released when the DigiDestined used the powers of their crests, but were re-imprisoned when Ken Ichijouji became the Digimon Emperor. They then created the D-3 Digivice and gave it to the new DigiDestined to fight against Ken.

Digimon Adventure 02: D1 Tamers
Ebonwumon makes a full appearance in Digimon Adventure 02: D1 Tamers, set shortly after Ryo Akiyama and Ken Ichijouji defeat Millenniummon, and Ken receives the Dark Spore. In it, Ebonwumon and the other Harmonious Ones set up a false contest under the pretense that all but one of them has become evil, and the Tamer who wins the contest must stop the others. Ryo wins this contest, and it is revealed that it was set up to train him to fight Moon=Millenniummon.

Digimon Tamers
Ryo Akiyama and Cyberdramon encountered Ebonwumon in Baihumon's territory, which he guarded while Baihumon was fighting the D-Reaper, however then reappeared wounded. Later on, Baihumon and Ebonwumon met with Azulongmon and Zhuqiaomon on how to handle the D-Reaper situation and helped Calumon release the Shining Digivolution which Digivolved every Digimon everywhere to their Mega forms to help the Sovereign. In the final battle against the D-Reaper, Ebonwumon assisted Azulongmon, Baihumon and Zhuqiaomon into dragging the Cable Reaper back into the Digital World during Operation: Doodlebug, thus saving the Tamers from having to defeat it all over again.

Notably, Dave Wittenberg made the left head speak with an Irish accent while the right head speaks with a Scottish accent.

Attacks
 * Phantom Mist (『霧幻』): Covers the area with a hallucinogenic mist that causes his opponent to see things and go insane.
 * Black Hail (『黒雹』): Calls down large crystalline blocks of black ice from the sky, which smash and destroy his enemies.
 * Souryuu Ha (『双竜波』)



Baihumon
Baihumon is an Exalted Beast Digimon, one of the four Digimon Sovereigns and the Guardian of the Digital World's Western Hemisphere. His name is derived from Baihu, the Chinese astronomical name for the western quadrant of the sky. The Japanese word Byakko is also derived from this. He commands the Devas Sinduramon, Makuramon and Chatsuramon.

Although he is the youngest of the four Sovereigns, he is also the most powerful. Like Azulongmon, he only allies himself with others in case of emergencies.

Digimon Adventure 02
Although Baihumon neither appeared nor was mentioned in the series, he was one of the Harmonious Ones (the name of the Sovereigns in this series), who, together with his partners was defeated by the Dark Masters. They were released when the DigiDestined used the powers of their crests. When Ken Ichijouji became the Digimon Emperor, they were sealed again and so created the D-3 Digivice, which they gave the new DigiDestined to fight against Ken.

Digimon Adventure 02: D1 Tamers
Baihumon makes a full appearance in Digimon Adventure 02: D1 Tamers, set shortly after Ryo Akiyama and Ken Ichijouji defeat Millenniummon, and Ken receives the Dark Spore. In it, Baihumon and the other Harmonious Ones set up a false contest under the pretense that all but one of them has become evil, and the Tamer who wins the contest must stop the others. Ryo wins this contest, and it is revealed that it was set up to train him to fight Moon=Millenniummon.

Digimon Tamers
Baihumon lived in the White Tower at the highest plain in the Digital World. When Ryo Akiyama and Cyberdramon arrived in his part of the domain, they found the Northern Hemisphere guardian Ebonwumon watching over his place as he fought the D-Reaper. Shortly after, Baihumon appeared and collapsed from exhaustion. Later on, Baihumon and Ebonwumon met with Azulongmon and Zhuqiaomon on how to handle the D-Reaper situation and helped Calumon release the Shining Digivolution which Digivolved every Digimon everywhere to their Mega forms to help the Sovereign. In the final battle against the D-Reaper, Baihumon assisted Azulongmon, Ebonwumon, and Zhuqiaomon into dragging the Cable Reaper back into the Digital World during Operation: Doodlebug, thus saving the Tamers.

Digimon Tamers: Digimon Medley
Baihumon appears as the final boss of the game, fighting Takato Matsuki, Henry Wong, and Rika Nonaka for Impmon.

 Attacks
 * Kongou (『金剛』): Fires an energy wave from his mouth that causes his enemy to be transformed into a rusty metal statue.
 * Tekkousou (『鉄甲爪』): Attacks with his claws.
 * Gyokurin O (『棘輪尾』)


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Fanglongmon
Fanglongmon is a God Beast Digimon, the leader of the four Digimon Sovereigns: Azulongmon, Baihumon, Zhuqiaomon and Ebonwumon. He protects the center of the Digital World. He is known in Japan as Huanglongmon, derived from Huang Long, the Yellow Dragon of the Center in Chinese mythology.

Fanglongmon is said to have created the four Sovereigns, and is huge, even by Sovereign standards. He is golden colored and has eight eyes, with digi-cores lining his back.

Attacks
 * Tai Chi (『太極』): Separates and erases the light and darkness of the Digital World.
 * Yellow Circle (『黄廻』)
 * Koutei no Kiba (『皇帝の牙』)


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Trivia

 * While all four Harmonious Ones appear in Digimon Adventure 02: D-1 Tamers, and even talk to Gennai and the Adventure Digidestined, only Azulongmon appears in Adventure 02, and one of the Audio CD Dramas has Gennai claiming that he only knew of Azulongmon.
 * All of the sovereigns have twelve Digi-Cores and four eyes, except Fanglongmon. Fanglongmon has eight eyes.
 * Qinglongmon and Xuanwumon's names were changed in the dub to Azulongmon and Ebonwumon, which essentially mean the same thing ("Azul" is Spanish for blue, and "Ebon" is English for black).