The Vermilion Bird () is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. According to Wu Xing, the Taoist five elemental system, it represents the Fire element, the direction south, and the season of summer correspondingly. Thus it is sometimes called the Vermilion Bird of the South (). It is described as a red bird that resembles a pheasant with a fire-colored plumage and is perpetually covered in flames. It is known as Suzaku in Japanese, Jujak in Korean and Chu Tước in Vietnamese.
It is often mistaken for the fenghuang due to similarities in appearance, but the two are different creatures. The fenghuang is a legendary ruler of birds who is associated with the Chinese Empress in the same way the dragon is associated with the Emperor, while the Vermilion Bird is a mythological spirit creature of the Chinese constellations.
Seven Mansions of the Vermilion Bird As with the other three Symbols, there are seven astrological "Mansions" (positions of the Moon) within the Vermilion Bird. The names and determinative stars are: Mansion no. Name (pinyin) Translation Determinative star 22 Well μ Gem 23 Ghost θ Cnc 24 Willow δ Hya 25 Star α Hya 26 Extended Net υ¹ Hya 27 Wings α Crt 28 Chariot γ Crv
Nature of the symbol
The Vermilion Bird is elegant in both appearance and behavior, with feathers in many different hues of vermilion. It is very selective about what it eats and perches.
Stars Four SymbolsMansion (Chinese name)RomanizationTranslationAsterisms (Chinese name)RomanizationTranslationWestern star nameChinese star nameRomanizationTranslation Vermilion Bird of the South ()GhostOuter Kitchen2 Hya1st star3 Hya / HD 743952nd star14 Hya3rd starWillowWillow AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy) 天文教育資訊網 2006 年 5 月 28 日 δ Hya1st starSeparated star3rd star in the upper westStar in northwest of Jade Well constellationThe thong The phoenixσ Hya2nd starη Hya3rd starρ Hya4th starε Hya5th starζ Hya6th starω Hya7th starθ Hya8th starStarStar AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy) 天文教育資訊網 2006 年 5 月 29 日 α Hya1st starSeparated starBig star in the centerτ1 Hya2nd starτ2 Hya3rd starι Hya4th star26 Hya5th star27 Hya6th starHD 82477 & HD 824287th starExtended NetExtended Net AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy) 天文教育資訊網 2006 年 5 月 30 日 υ1 Hya1st starλ Hya2nd starμ Hya3rd starHD 873444th starκ Hya5th starφ Hya6th starWingsWings AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy) 天文教育資訊網 2006 年 5 月 31 日 夢之大地 @ 國立成功大學 WebBBS DreamLand @ National Cheng Kung University WebBBS Systemν Hya5th starHD 10030718th starHD 9681919th starχ1 Hya20th starHD 10262021st starHD 10346222nd starChariotGreen Hill AEEA (Activities of Exhibition and Education in Astronomy) 天文教育資訊網 2006 年 7 月 22 日 β Hya1st starStar in the west of Official for Earthworks and Buildings constellationHD 1035962nd star17 Crtthe star is actually located in the constellation Hydra3rd starHD 1003934th starξ Hya5th starο Hya7th starMilitary GateHD 1043091st star
In popular culture In the MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV Online by Square Enix, a trial named "Hell's Kier" was added in Patch 4.4's Four Lords quest-line. The boss of this trial is named Suzaku and bears a resemblance to the Vermilion Bird.
In Kagurabachi, the character Seichi Samura wields the enchanted blade Tobimune that harnesses the power of Suzaku, the vermilion bird, giving him regenerative powers.
In Beyblade, Beyblade V-Force and Beyblade G-Revolution, the bit-beast Dranzer is modelled after the Vermillion Bird.
In Malifaux, the "Story of Suzaku" features as a unique model for the Ten Thunders Faction under the Red Library keyword.
See also Birds in Chinese mythology Four Holy Beasts
References
External links