Fenghuang Tank Tops

The Chinese phoenix or fenghuang is a Chinese mythological bird that reigns over other birds. The males are called feng, while the females are called huang.

The fenghuang is the mythological Chinese phoenix bird, usually depicted with rainbow colors. The fenghuang is typically paired with the dragon (long), where they represent the union of yin and yang and of marital happiness. They are often depicted on temples throughout Asia, usually paired with a dragon. The fenghuang represents the feminine and the dragon represents the masculine. By itself, the Fenghuang is the symbol of virtue and grace.

Traditional Chinese phoenix tattoo flash art.

In Japan, as earlier in China, the mythical Phoenix was adopted as a symbol of the imperial household, particularily the empress. This mythical bird represents fire, the sun, justice, obedience, fidelity, and the southern star constellations. According to legend (mostly from China), the Hō-ō appears very rarely, and only to mark the beginning of a new era -- the birth of a virtuous ruler, for example. In other traditions, the Hō-ō appears only in peaceful and prosperous times (nesting, it is said, in paulownia trees), and hides itself when there is trouble. As the herald of a new age, the Hō-ō decends from heaven to earth to do good deeds, and then it returns to its celestial abode to await a new era.

I was inspired to draw this by thinking about getting a pug and a Chinese drama called “Ashes of Love.”And I had a random conversation with someone and they said I should put wings on the pug. And I was like okay! And I’ll make them rainbow. I got a pug shortly after this drawing was started and named her “Fenghuang” which means “Pheonix” in Chinese. Hope you enjoy. :)

Fire Bird

Phoenix, Feng-huang, Turul, Hou-oo....Human history is full of mythical birds of great power.

A colorful Fenghuang, or Chinese Phoenix, in bright rainbow colors. Original artwork by Rebecca Wang.