Vermillion Bird

Vermillion bird of the Four Divine Beasts 

The four great mythical beasts in ancient China are the green dragon, the white tiger, the vermillion bird, and the basalt four beasts. In ancient times, the four beasts were also called the four images and the four spirits, and they belonged to the worship of the ancient stars.  

In ancient Chinese astronomy, the many stars of the Zhoutian were divided into twenty-eight constellations, formed by connecting the seven main constellations in each part, and named after their shapes. The seven constellations in the south, Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang, Yi, and Zhen, are shaped like birds, so the Nangong is called vermillion bird. 

According to the Five Elements theory, the Vermillion Bird is red, belongs to fire, and is the god of the South, and the season summer correspondingly. 

Image 

Vermillion bird looks like a fiery red black bird, with a flame that does not go out all day long. 

Symbolic meaning 

Vermillion bird guards the south, the color it represents is red, and the season it represents is summer. Legend has it that vermillion bird is a mythical beast with five-colored feathers that appears when disaster strikes and brings peace. 

Vermillion bird is in charge of fire and is called the God of Fire, symbolizing the immortal soul. Therefore, there is a folk saying that carrying vermillion bird ornaments can bring good luck. 

Vermillion bird is also known as the god of longevity. In ancient China, the vermillion bird necklace or pendant was given to young children to wear it to bless the child with health and longevity, eliminate disasters and ward off evil spirits.