Definitions

fèng (noun) phoenix

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Originally a pictograph of a mythical Chinese bird, similar to a phoenix. Later the phonetic component was added.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 凤, denoting the mythical phoenix, traces its etymology to an early pictorial representation of a crested bird, which crystallized into the traditional form 鳳, a compound character integrating the semantic radical 鳥 for "bird" with the phonetic component 凡. Originally designating the male half of the fenghuang pair, its application gradually expanded to encompass the entire celestial creature, evolving into a potent symbol of imperial consorts and broader auspicious ideals. The simplified iteration 凤 modifies this structure by substituting the bird radical with 又, a graphical alteration that streamlines writing while maintaining the character's enduring cultural connotations of harmony and renewal.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢凰。

Wǒ xǐhuān fènghuáng.

I like phoenixes.

我喜欢吃梨。

Wǒ xǐhuān chī fènglí.

I like to eat pineapple.

凰的羽毛很漂亮。

Fènghuáng de yǔmáo hěn piàoliang.

The phoenix's feathers are very beautiful.

公园里有凰雕像。

Gōngyuán lǐ yǒu fènghuáng diāoxiàng.

There is a phoenix statue in the park.

她戴着美丽的冠。

Tā dàizhe měilì de fèngguān.

She is wearing a beautiful phoenix crown.

凰在传说中能重生。

Fènghuáng zài chuánshuō zhōng néng chóngshēng.

In legends, phoenixes can be reborn.

这幅画描绘了凰展翅。

Zhè fú huà miáohuì le fènghuáng zhǎn chì.

This painting depicts a phoenix spreading its wings.

在古代文化中,凰象征吉祥和幸福。

Zài gǔdài wénhuà zhōng, fènghuáng xiàngzhēng jíxiáng hé xìngfú.

In ancient culture, phoenixes symbolize auspiciousness and happiness.