凤 fèng male phoenix
怎么记住“凤”: 𠘨 any + 又 again = male phoenix. At the kite festival the girl could pick any kite, but again she goes straight for the golden male phoenix.
部件结构
象形 · Pictogram
originally 凡 + 𩾏
A drawing of the thing it means.
凤 = 𠘨 any + 又 again
- 𠘨 any sound
- 又 again shape only
At the kite festival the girl could pick any kite, but again she goes straight for the golden male phoenix.
How it came to be
The full form began as a bird with a tall crest and long tail feathers, and a sound part was often added.
用法
- The phoenix, especially the female/imperial-consort symbol: 凤凰 (fènghuáng) phoenix, 龙凤 (lóngfèng) dragon-and-phoenix (emperor & empress, or a lucky pairing).
- A symbol of grace, nobility, and rarity: 凤毛麟角 (fèngmáo-línjiǎo) as rare as phoenix feathers, i.e. exceedingly rare.
- Culturally paired with 龙: 望子成龙,望女成凤 hoping sons become dragons and daughters phoenixes (great successes).