Xuanwu is always depicted with a tortoise and a snake beneath his feet and holding a magical sword, which he borrowed from Lu Tong-pin (fig.), one of the Eight Immortals (fig.), in order to ward off a powerful devil. After he was successful, he refused to return the sword. But, if he opens the palm of his hand, it is said that the sword will automatically fly back to Lu Tong-Pin. Therefore he always hold this sword tightly.

His left hand is in a mudra, known as the Three Mountains, making a circle with the middle finger and thumb, the index finger pointing upward, and the ring finger pointing downward, whilst the little finger touches the middle finger with the tip.