The phoenix was commonly referred to as the 'King of Birds.' As sovereign of all birds, it has the head of a golden pheasant, a parrot's beak, the body of a mandarin duck, the wings of a roc, peacock feathers and the legs of the crane. The Chinese phoenix, likewise, exists only in legends and fairy tales.

The Dragon Boat Festival is almost a purely dragon-related festival, which is now internationally recognized. The dragon dance has a long history, dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The dragon also plays an important part in Chinese festivals. (Dragon screens are an important part of this dragon culture.) Thus, their beds were appropriately called 'dragon beds,' their throne, 'dragon seat,' and their ceremonial robes, 'dragon robes.' Also, dragons, which are a symbol of imperial power, can be spotted on many buildings in the imperial palace. As kings of the waters, dragons lived in dragon palaces under the ocean.ĭragons are deeply rooted in Chinese culture: Chinese people often consider themselves 'the descendants of the dragon' and Chinese emperors thought they were real dragons and the sons of heaven.

During times of drought, dragons could create precious water and in times of flood they stopped the rain and cleared the skies. Traveling between the skies and the earth, dragons were considered the heads of heavenly deities and governors of rainfall in Chinese culture. It could also inhabit any place - from the greatest heights to the lowest depths. Along with the kylin and tortoise, they were known as the 'Four Supernatural Spirits.'Īccording to ancient records, the dragon appeared as a composite of many animals, such as the snake, alligator and lizard - long or short, small or huge, hidden yet active. In China, the fictional dragon and the phoenix are traditional animals that symbolize auspiciousness.

Chinese phoenix mythology