鳳 凰 台 上 鳳 凰 游 ，
鳳 去 台 空 江 自 流 。
'On the Phoenix Terrace once a phoenix roamed,
After the phoenix left, only the river still flowed'
-From Climb Jinglin Phoenix Terrace by Li Bo/Li Bai (701-762 AD)

Fenghuang (鳳凰) is a ancient bird of great importance originating in most Asian mythologies, but most strongly in China. Usually, the 'Chinese phoenix' is viewed as female and comes as the opposite, but unifying symbol to the Chinese dragon, or lóng (龙). As such, the Phoenix and the Dragon are traditional symbols of marriage. Unlike the western phoenix, Fenghuang is a combination of the wing of a swallow, the neck of a snake, the back of a turtle, the breast of a goose, the legs of a stag, the beak of a rooster, and the tail of the peacock. Fenghuang is often depicted holding a snake in her talons, likely the replacement for dragon as snake is what dragon becomes half way through the Year of the Dragon.

Part 1 of the Chinese Mythology Series. Next up: Guardian Lions

Traditional - Recycled Paper, Sakura Micron Pens, Faber-Castell White Pencils, and Mechanical Pencil.

Original is for sale