The Chinese phoenix (凤 凰 Fenghuang) is the “king of birds” with fabulous colors and the head of a pheasant, crown of a duck, beak of a swallow, back of a tortoise and tail of a fish. According to the 4th century BCE Chinese Classic of Mountains and Seas, its head represents virtue, back propriety, wing duty, chest mercy, and abdomen credibility. Said to have been born facing the sun’s rays, the mythical bird symbolizes the sun’s warmth, embraces the yang(male) principles of light and heat and promotes creation of male progeny. It brings affluence and only appears during periods of prosperity, peace and good government. Phoenix images decorated ceremonial costumes and were used in the Empress of China’s headwear and the ceremonial headdresses of the Queen Mother of the West and Matsu. As one of the four divine animals that presides over the southern quadrant it was a popular motif in Chinese Straits furniture and accessories with special meaning for Chinese residents in Southeast Asia. A pair with wings out or flying balance each other, represent harmony between a husband and wife and is a wish for a harmonious marriage with many sons. When the “king of birds” is paired with peonies (the “king of flowers”) they symbolize harmony, blessings, rank, good fortune and prosperity. A dragon and phoenix together symbolize a happy and harmonious union a popular decorative motif, especially in bedrooms. In feng shui, the phoenix symbolizes luck and is said to bring auspicious chi both to one’s life and home.
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Finely carved from dense wood Mazu is the Heavenly Empress on a horseshoe chair, holding official’s girdle, phoenix hat with outstretched wings and cloud collar symbolizing her place in heaven.
The Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu) is one of the most significant female Taoist-deities and one of the Great Chinese Goddesses with a huge syncretic cult following within Taoism, Popular Folk Religion and Buddhism. With immeasurable powers she controls life and creation, death and destruction and the ability to determine every living being’s lifespan….
Charming consecrated image of female Toast priest with Phoenix headdress holding a hu tablet. Women were welcomed as priests since Taoism beginnings.
Temples for “Heavenly Empress” Mazu in southern China coastal regions protect sea faring peoples. This motherly home altar statue reflects that although childless, she protects her children – her devotees – as a mother. Seated on lucite base.
Small consecrated home altar provincial Mazu, finely carved on armless back chair dressed modestly in peasant robes with a phoenix in her hat, she is motherly figure who protects her devotees as her children.
Small mage of Queen Mother carved by provisional artisan depicts her as humble and matronly with iconic phoenix on headdress for placement on a home altar. Cavity with original sealed bung indicates it was consecrated.
This intricately carved black and heavily gilt antique cabinet is a fine example of a Straits Chinese furniture made in Guangdong for the Southeast Asia market. Carved openwork panels with phoenixes and lotuses are symbolic wishes for harmony, blessings, rank, good fortune; outstretched wings wish for harmonious marriage, many sons and the inside decoration a wish for status and successful career. Although flamboyant for todays taste, it is a unique accent piece and gift for newly weds.
Provincial carving with iconic phoenix headdress, hands in karana mudra to cast out demons, negative energy and purify spaces. Image was on home altar and consecrated with a sealed cover.
Dense hardwood Queen Mother carving with phoenix in crown, holding robe across body, calmly seated on backless throne, much original polychrome and lacquer finish remains. Sealed consecrated cavity.
Very rare depiction of Queen Mother of the West puppet head wearing elaborate headdress with outstretched tortoise legs atop a phoenix, reflecting early shamanism rites of turtle shell divination. Mounted on acrylic base.
Antique Xiwangmu puppet head with 3 phoenixes in crown, traditional Qing head ware worn by the Empress for official occasions, ceremonies. Acrylic stand.
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