JADE PHOENIX BIRD HONGSHAN

9JADE PHOENIX BIRD

HONGSHAN CULTURE 3500 - 2500 BC Height: 2.75 inches Width: 5 inches (7 x 12 cm)

This carving, made of green jade, is in the form of a Phoenix bird. The bird is sitting with her head turned back and resting on her back feathers. The Hongshan culture has produced carvings of many different animals and birds. There are owls, tigers, bears and turtles, for example. The Phoenix bird is quite rare. It is often used as the female part of a pair, a dragon representing the male portion. It may represent the empress or queen, with a dragon representing the emperor or king. It is often associated with royalty. The exact use of this carving is unknown.