Phoenix

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.