Phoenix

Phoenix (凤凰 feng-huang) : In Chinese culture, phoenix is a mythical bird that symbolizes joy and peace. Feng-huang is a compound word that is referred to as two birds: the male bird called Feng and the female bird called Huang. It is believed that the phoenix only makes an appearance during periods of prosperity, peace and good government. The phoenix is the yin equivalent of the dragon and is also the symbol of the empress and associates with the south and summer. In Chinese art and paintings the phoenix is often paired with the dragon and that symbol is used as a wish for a harmonious marriage for new couple. Phoenix in China represents female virtues such as beauty and charm. And because of this, the wedding dresses worn by the brides in China are often decorated with a picture of the phoenix. Once the dragon became a totem of the emperor, then the phoenix was also accorded a similar significance to empresses. A Chinese phoenix painting can be send as a gift to wish a new couple good luck, success and a happy married life.