Notes:
The phoenix, or fenghuang, was a sacred bird of Chinese mythology believed to be king of all birds and symbol of good fortune, fertility and longevity. It is often depicted with the head of a pheasant, a long neck and the tail of a peacock. Both the phoenix and peony are associated with the imperial family, and specifically the Empress. In ancient China, the fenghuang had consisted of two separate entities to represent yin and yang; the male bird (鳳, feng) and female (凰 huang), but during the Ming the two gradually merged to become the symbol of female royalty, while the dragon was associated with the Emperor. Owing to Empress Wu’s alleged appreciation for the flower during the Tang Dynasty, peonies also came to symbolize feminine royalty and are still celebrated every year at a festival held in Jingshan Park, the former Imperial garden.
