The classical & pagan world-view was that the world was made of 4 elements: air, fire, water and earth.
These elements are reflected in the seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter. In the four magical creatures: eagle, dragon, salmon, stag. In the card-deck: spades, clubs, hearts, diamonds.
In Aotearoa / New Zealand we did not have mammals – we had birds across all the realms.
So, in our Cloak of Protection deck we have: settlement, forest, sea, extinct. With gods: Minerva, Tane Mahuta, Tangaroa, Hine nui te Po. With four magical birds: kahu (the harrier), karearea (the falcon), torea (the royal albatross), hokioi (the giant eagle).
With these we make (or break) our world.