The Chinese Phoenix ~ 鳳凰

Feng (鳳, male) Huang (凰, female)

The Chinese Phoenix represents yin and yang’s harmonious interdependence. Born of the fires of “Hill of the Sun’s Halo”, she is a messenger of happiness, often appearing only in times of peace. An incredibly gentle creature, she consumes morning dew to avoid harming animals and plants. She does not speak of vengeance nor does she tolerate lies and abuse of power. She never appears to those with impure morals. Her comb stands for righteousness, her tongue utters sincerity, her voice chants melody, her ears enjoy music, her heart is dutiful, her breast bears the wisdom of literature, her spurs are powerful against transgressors, and her neck stretches to scan distant space (capacity for prevision).

The five colours of the Phoenix represent the Confucius 5 Virtues:

Ren – (Green) Benevolence, charity, humanity
Yi – (White) Considerate nature, honesty, integrity, honour, conscientiousness, loyalty, reciprocity, altruism
Zhi – (Black) Knowledge
Xin – (Yellow) Faithfulness and integrity
Li – (Red) Well-mannered, propriety, politeness, ceremony, worship, cultivated behaviour

When the Phoenix is paired with a dragon, she symbolises the Empress or the wife, embodying honesty & graciousness, justice & peace, charm & beauty, sensitivity & delicacy, and everlasting love & inseparable fellowship.

Symbolism in Anatomy:

The female Phoenix has two tails, while a male as five. A Phoenix’s body consists of the natural elements: the cosmos of the six celestial bodies:

✧ The head; the sky
✧ The eyes; the sun
✧ The back; the crescent moon
✧ The wings; the wind
✧ The tail; the planets (trees and flowers)
✧ The feet; the earth