Birds have played an extremely important role in Chinese culture and folklore for thousands of years. They are seen as symbols, omens, and messengers between heaven and earth. Birds have influenced everything from art and literature to idioms and superstitions in China.
The Symbolism of Birds in Chinese Culture
In Chinese culture, birds are used to symbolize many virtues and ideals. Some of the key symbolic meanings associated with different types of birds include:
- Phoenix (fenghuang) – representing virtue, grace, and prosperity
- Crane – longevity, wisdom, and nobility
- Mandarin ducks (yuan yang) – conjugal affection and fidelity
- Owl (xiao) – intelligence and thoughtfulness
- Magpie (xi que) – joy and blessing
- Swallow (yan) – loyalty and fidelity
These positive traits make birds popular symbols in Chinese art, poetry, idioms, and decorations. For example, the fenghuang is considered the king of birds and symbolizes great virtue, prosperity, and harmony. It is closely associated with the Chinese empress and is a common motif in imperial art and architecture.
Birds as Omens and Messengers in Folklore
In Chinese folk stories and legends, birds often act as omens or messengers between earth and heaven. Their behavior, sightings, or calls can signify impending good or bad fortune. Some examples include:
- Cranes circling over one’s home – expectancy of career advancement and prosperity
- Owls hooting – impending famine or death
- Red-crowned crane bringing a baby – the birth of a son
- Magpie chirping – impending guest or happy event
These bird omens stem from Taoist and Buddhist beliefs in the interconnectedness between man and nature. They demonstrate how Chinese culture has traditionally looked to the natural world for guidance and insight.
Birds in Chinese Idioms and Sayings
Birds are featured prominently in many Chinese idioms and proverbs:
- “One bird, two beaks” – being of two minds or saying one thing and doing another
- “The early bird catches the worm” – the value of prompt action
- “A bird may be known by its song” – you can understand someone’s character from their words/actions
- “To kill two birds with one stone” – to accomplish two aims at once
- “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” – having something, however small, is better than the mere potential of having more
These idioms with bird motifs reveal how birds helped inspire concepts relating to character, wisdom, resourcefulness, and practicality in Chinese culture.
Symbolism of Specific Bird Species
Beyond general symbolism, individual bird species also carry deeper cultural meaning in China.
Phoenix (Fenghuang)
The phoenix is the most revered bird in Chinese culture. It symbolizes virtue, grace, divinity, and prosperity. Depictions of the fenghuang permeate Chinese art and architecture as positive symbols of divine power and blessing.
Crane (He)
In Chinese culture, the crane symbolizes longevity, nobility, and wisdom. Cranes are said to live very long lives, some even a thousand years. They appear in Chinese legends and folklore as sages or immortal beings.
Mandarin Duck (Yuan Yang)
Mandarin ducks represent conjugal affection and fidelity in Chinese culture. They mate for life and are regarded as symbols of marital happiness and faithfulness. Gift sets featuring a pair of mandarin ducks are commonly given at Chinese weddings.
Owl (Xiao)
Owls symbolize intelligence and thoughtfulness in Chinese culture. However, their nocturnal nature and large staring eyes have also made them symbols of the occult and supernatural. Owls are featured both positively and negatively in legends.
Magpie (Xi Que)
Magpies are seen as auspicious birds that bring joy and blessing in Chinese culture. Their chattering is believed to herald the arrival of good fortune or guests. Magpies are popular decorative motifs especially during weddings and Spring Festival.
Swallow (Yan)
In Chinese culture, swallows represent loyalty and devotion. They are monogamous birds who choose a mate for life. Swallows also symbolize the arrival of spring and are admired for their long yearly migration.
Role of Birds in Chinese Arts and Literature
Beyond folklore and symbolism, birds have also had an enormous influence on Chinese arts and literature over the millennia.
Poetry and Calligraphy
Many poems, verses, and literary works feature birds. Poets draw inspiration from their beauty, symbolism, and behavior. Common poetic bird motifs include cranes, swans, geese, swallows, and mandarin ducks.
Birds are also a popular subject for Chinese calligraphy. Calligraphers depict stylized birds like cranes or wild geese using brush and ink to demonstrate their artistic mastery.
Painting
Birds are one of the most frequently depicted subjects in traditional Chinese painting. They allow artists to demonstrate their brush technique in capturing delicate forms and textured feathers.
Certain birds like magpies, swallows, and fenghuang are recurring motifs in Chinese art with deeper symbolic value beyond their beauty.
Music
The songs, warbles, and calls of birds have inspired many traditional Chinese musical compositions. For example, “Niao Chao” or The Morning Song of Birds is a famous piece for the pipa (Chinese lute). It mimics the melodious chorus of birds at dawn using the pipa.
Peking Opera
Stylized bird costumes and masks feature heavily in Peking Opera. Actors use hand gestures and movements to evoke the characteristics of different birds like cranes, swallows, and chickens in their performances.
Feng Shui
Auspicious birds like phoenix, cranes, magpies, and swallows are important motifs in feng shui animal decorations. Figurines and images of these birds are used to attract their positive energy and symbolism.
Birds in Modern Chinese Culture
While traditional bird symbolism remains influential, some newer perspectives and roles of birds have also emerged in modern Chinese culture:
- Conservation – Greater environmental awareness has led to more focus on bird habitats and threatened species like crested ibis.
- Photography – Bird watching and photography has grown as a popular hobby, especially among urban populations.
- Cuisine – Poultry like chicken, duck, goose, and quail are integral parts of Chinese cuisine.
- Pet keeping – Songbirds, parrots, and other birds are now commonly kept as pets in Chinese homes.
- National symbols – Birds like the red-crowned crane and giant panda have been adopted as conservation symbols for China.
While some of the traditional folk beliefs around birds may have faded, they remain an integral part of Chinese identity and culture today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, birds have played a tremendously important symbolic, spiritual, and cultural role in China for thousands of years. They have been woven into nearly every aspect of Chinese art, poetry, idioms, philosophy, and folklore as positive symbols, omens, messengers, and motifs. While some perceptions of birds have evolved with modernization, they remain an inseparable part of the Chinese cultural identity and psyche.