Chinese phoenix; Chinese firebird
Mythical bird in Chinese tradition, symbolizing virtue and grace. Often paired with the dragon. Not the same as the Egyptian phoenix (フェニックス), though sometimes confused.
See also: フェニックス
The hōō is a legendary Chinese bird and is considered a symbol of peace.
On the ceiling of this temple, beautiful paintings of a dragon and a hōō are depicted.
Chinese phoenix pattern
royal poinciana; flamboyant tree
Bambusa multiplex var. elegans; hedge bamboo variety
Vulsella vulsella (species of clam)
From Chinese 鳳凰 (fènghuáng), a mythical bird. The characters 鳳 (male) and 凰 (female) together represent the combined creature. The Japanese reading ほうおう is the on'yomi.