Difference between revisions of "Feng-huang" - New World Encyclopedia
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
| − | + | The exact origin of the Feng-Huang myth is obscure. Some scholars have suggested that it may be a representation of a large pre-historic bird, similar to an ostrich, which were common in pre-historic China, similar to how some believe that dragons were mythical representations of dinosaurs. The Feng-Huang is an intergal in the ancient cosmology of China, which stated that the world and Heavens were created by the four Si-Ling creatures, the dragon, qilin, tortoise and Feng-Huang. Once the world was then divided up into four quarters, and the Feng-Huang was given dominion over the Southern Heaven quadrant, which symbolizes Summer. The appearance of the Feng-Huang in Chinese culture dates to around the 3rd Millenium B.C.E., right before the death of the Yellow Emperor.<ref> Encyclopædia Britannica Online (2007).[[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9033972"Fenghuang"]] Retrieved July 10, 2007 </ref> Once a new monarch had taken over, the bird came to symbolize an era of peace and prosperity, with a new, benign emperor, and was often used as a symbol of the Empress. | |
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==Meaning== | ==Meaning== | ||
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In ancient China, they can often be found in the decorations for [[wedding]]s or [[royal family|royalty]], along with [[Chinese dragon|dragon]]s. This is because the Chinese considered the dragon and phoenix symbolic of blissful relations between husband and wife, another common yin and yang [[metaphor]]. | In ancient China, they can often be found in the decorations for [[wedding]]s or [[royal family|royalty]], along with [[Chinese dragon|dragon]]s. This is because the Chinese considered the dragon and phoenix symbolic of blissful relations between husband and wife, another common yin and yang [[metaphor]]. | ||
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==Footnotes== | ==Footnotes== | ||
Revision as of 15:47, 10 July 2007
Feng-Huang(Chinese: 鳳凰; Pinyin: Fènghuáng; Japanese: 鳳凰 hō-ō; Korean: 봉황 bonghwang; Vietnamese: Phượng Hoàng) is the name of two Chinese mythological birds that were centeral figures in ancient Chinese cosmology. Sometimes called the Chinese Phoenix, the Feng-Huang is a symbol of summer and spiritual balance, and along with the dragon, unicorn and tortoise, is one of the most high revered creatures in Chinese tradition.
Description
While it is depicted as one being, Feng-Huang is actually a composite of one male and one female bird. The Feng is the male, and the Huang is the female, although both sexes are depicted the same. (Modern tradition combined the Feng-Huang into one bird) The Feng-Huang is said to be made up of the beak of a cock, the face of a swallow, the forehead of a fowl, the neck of a snake, the breast of a goose, the back of a tortoise, the hindquarters of a stag and the tail of a fish. Its body symbolizes the six celestial bodies. The head is the sky, the eyes are the sun, the back is the moon, the wings are the wind, the feet are the earth, and the tail is the planets. Its feathers contain the five fundamental colors: black, white, red, blue and yellow.
Unlike the Phoenix of the Western World, the Feng-Huang is immortal without needing to go through a cycle of death and re-birth. The bird is attracted to music and nests high in the K'unlun Mountain range.[1]
Origin
The exact origin of the Feng-Huang myth is obscure. Some scholars have suggested that it may be a representation of a large pre-historic bird, similar to an ostrich, which were common in pre-historic China, similar to how some believe that dragons were mythical representations of dinosaurs. The Feng-Huang is an intergal in the ancient cosmology of China, which stated that the world and Heavens were created by the four Si-Ling creatures, the dragon, qilin, tortoise and Feng-Huang. Once the world was then divided up into four quarters, and the Feng-Huang was given dominion over the Southern Heaven quadrant, which symbolizes Summer. The appearance of the Feng-Huang in Chinese culture dates to around the 3rd Millenium B.C.E., right before the death of the Yellow Emperor.[2] Once a new monarch had taken over, the bird came to symbolize an era of peace and prosperity, with a new, benign emperor, and was often used as a symbol of the Empress.
Meaning
The Fenghuang has very positive connotations. It is a symbol of high virtue and grace. The Fenghuang also symbolizes the union of yin and yang. It appears in peaceful and prosperous times but hides when trouble is near.
In ancient China, they can often be found in the decorations for weddings or royalty, along with dragons. This is because the Chinese considered the dragon and phoenix symbolic of blissful relations between husband and wife, another common yin and yang metaphor.
Footnotes
- ↑ ["Feng Huang, Emperor of Birds"] Retrieved July 10, 2007
- ↑ Encyclopædia Britannica Online (2007).["Fenghuang"] Retrieved July 10, 2007
External links
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