Phoenix Bird China Chinese Mythological Creature

In Chinese mythology, Fenghuang is very much like the Phoenix bird; China however as infused the creature with its own symbolism. The Fenghuang is superior to all the other birds and rules over them. In the West, it is sometimes referred to as the Chinese phoenix or the Ho-Oh bird which is derived from a Japanese word.

In the ancient Chinese scripture, Erya, the Fenghuang has been described as an amalgamation of the physical aspects of several birds and animals. Among its primary characteristics are the snake-like neck, the roosters beak and the tortoises back. In physical description the Fenghuang has some differences with the Egyptian phoenix bird; China, though, has colored it with its own symbolic meanings.

The mythological Fenghuang is often depicted as swooping down on snakes with wings spread and sharp talons. However it is most often paired with the Chinese dragon and in such symbols the Fenghuang stands for the feminine while the dragon stands for the masculine principle. Thus unlike the symbolic meanings of the Western Phoenix bird, China imbued the Fenghuang with associations of grace and high virtue.

Parallel to the yin and yan metaphor, the Fenghuang often featured in decorations for weddings in ancient China. Additionally it was often depicted in royal paintings along with a dragon where the bird represented the Empress while the emperor was represented by the dragon. As yet another departure from the symbolic associations of the Egyptian Phoenix bird, China adds the connotations of the male-female pairing to the Fenghuang and Dragon.

In Western culture the Phoenix originates from Phoenician mythology and represents the power of regeneration. According to legend, the Phoenix would build a nest at the end of its life span and then ignite itself. Then, from the ashes would arise another young phoenix. The Chinese Fenghuang appears to be only superficially similar to the Phoenix Bird, China having imbued it with its own connotations.

The Chinese mythological Fenghuang has been depicted in good luck totems and images of jade for the past seven thousand years. Originally Feng referred to the male birds while the females were called Huang. Now however the gender distinctions have been erased and the Fenghuang refers to one feminine entity. Apart from its own version of the Phoenix bird, China has other powerful bird symbols like Jingwei, Shang-Yang, Peng, Su-Shang and others. Phoenix