In 714, the gate system was revised into the Chinese style with the south gate being named Suzaku (a Vermilion Bird and a god said to rule over the southern heavens), which was one of the shijin (four gods said to rule over the four directions) that was believed to protect the south.
714年（和銅7年）これを漢風に改め、四神において南方を守護するとされる朱雀の名を冠したものとした。