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In China the phoenix (si ling) was one of a number of animals that were worshipped. A common depiction was of it attacking snakes with its talons and its wings spread. In fact images of the phoenix has appeared in China for over 7000 years. Often in jade and originally on good-luck totems. Although during the Han period (2200 years ago) the phoenix was used as a symbol depicting the direction south shown as a male and female phoenix facing each other. It was also used to symbolize the Empress in a pairing with a dragon where the dragon repersents the Emperor. Here the phoenix represented power sent from the heavens to the Empress. If a phoenix was used to decorate a house it symbolized that loyalty and honesty was in the people that lived there. It was also believed that a phoenix controled the 5 tones of Chinese music and that it repersented the Confucian virtues of loyalty, honesty, decorum and justice. Depictions of the phoenix were placed on tomes and graves. Also jewellery with a phoenix on it showed that the wearer was a person of high moral values. This jewellery was only to be worn by people of importance.
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