Birds in Chinese mythology

Birds in Chinese mythology and legend are of numerous types and very important in this regard.

The Jingwei is a mythical bird which tries to fill up the ocean with twigs and pebbles symbolizing indefatigable determination.

Written and spoken Chinese varieties have different character graphs and sounds representing mythological and legendary birds of China.The Chinese characters or graphs used have varied over time calligraphically or typologically.

In other cases, the classical Chinese term is clearly based on the alleged sound of said bird; that is, what is known as onomatopoeia.

[2] Some birds in Chinese legend and mythology symbolize or represent various concepts of a more-or-less abstract nature.

The Jingwei bird represents determination and persistence, even in the face of seemingly over-whelming odds.

Some birds may function as totems or representative symbols of clans or other social groups.

The Qingniao is associated with the Queen Mother of the West, bearing her messages or bringing her food.

According to the Shanhaijing and its commentaries, the Bifang can be found on Mount Zhang'e and/or east of the Feathered People (Youmin) and west of the Blue River.