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[Alexandr Korol]

A possible continuation of this imagery in Indian tradition is the concept of vahanas (mounts of the gods) and lokapalas — deities guarding the directions; originally there were four, later eight; it was believed each had its own elephant supporting the earth from one side.
In Sumer, the functions of the tetramorphs were performed by the lion, eagle, peacock, and bull.
Overall, the following scheme of correspondences between the cardinal directions and guardian creatures can be outlined — for north, west, south, and east:

• Black turtle, white tiger, crimson phoenix, green dragon (Southeast Asia);
• Eagle, ox, lion, man (Assyria, Ancient Israel);
• Eagle, elephant, dragon, fish (Ancient Greece);
• Hawk, jackal, monkey, man (Ancient Egypt).

Additionally, the son of the ancient Egyptian god Horus was depicted with a human head, while the other three had animal heads. In Hinduism, Brahma has four heads. In the depiction of the god Mithra, four bodies are combined: man, lion, bird, and serpent.

The Quran, in Surah 71 “Nuh” (Noah), tells about deities traditional to Arab mythology, which the contemporaries of the prophet Nuh (Noah) did not want to abandon: “They said (to their fellow believers), ‘Do not forsake your gods: neither Wadd nor Suwa’, nor Yaghuth, Ya’uq, and Nasr!’” Professor M. N. Skaballanovich believes that this refers to idols shaped like a man (woman), a lion, a horse, and an eagle.” See, again four gods.

“Images in Culture
According to the letter of the sacred scripture, the tetramorph was depicted together with the fiery chariot in Ezekiel’s vision and was also included in the iconography of “Christ in Glory,” whose throne, according to the Apocalypse, stood on four animals. That is, Christ was depicted in a mandorla, at the corners of which the symbols of the evangelists were placed. Similar to the biblical cherubim and seraphim, the tetramorph — symbols of the evangelists — are depicted at the Throne of the Almighty, surrounding it on four sides,