Fung Hwang
A bird to which the ancient Chinese attributed almost the
same qualities as other cultures did to the phoenix. It was said
to have a cocks head, a snakes neck, a swallows beak, a tortoises
back, and to be of five different colors and more than six
feet high. According to the Lun Yü Tseh Shwai, its head resembles
heaven, its eye the sun, its back the moon, its wings the
wind, its foot the ground, and its tail the woof. Like the dragon,
tortoise, and unicorn, the fung hwang was considered to be
a spiritual creature.
The appearance of the fung was always regarded as an auspicious
augury. Women adorned themselves with the image of
this bird in gold, silver, or brass, according to their means.
Sources
Gould, Charles. Mythical Monsters. London, 1886. Reprint,
Detroit Singing Tree Press, 1969.
