|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
Even in China, there are records of the phoenix as well. Called the si ling, it is associated with the feng-huang, a bird symbolising the union of yin and yang. It is one of the four celestial creatures that helped make the world (the others being the unicorn, dragon and tortoise). The phoenix is seen as a symbol of high virtue and grace, and represents power and prosperity. It is a sign of the empress and much of the jewelry and trinkets she wears have symbols of this bird on them. The sign for the emperor is the dragon.
The phoenix is said to have a large bill, the neck of a snake, the back of a tortoise and the tail of a fish. It carries in its bill two scrolls, or a box containing sacred books. Its song contains all five notes of the traditional music scale and its feathers include the five fundamental colors. The body of the phoenix is a composite of six celestial bodies: the head for the sky; the eyes for the sun; the back for the moon; the wings for the wind; the feet for the earth; the tail for the planets.
The phoenix appears only in prosperous and peaceful times and hides itself when there is trouble. Because of this, it is seen as a sign of peace. A 'phuong' is a male phoenix while a 'hoang' is a female one.
There is also a Japanese phoenix called a ho-oo. The ho is for the male part, the oo for the female. It only appears on earth to establish a new era. It symbolizes the sun, justice, fidelity and obediance. As with the si ling, it, too, is a symbol of the empress.
Thanks to Silverhair for the buttons.