Feng (凤) refers to Feng Huang (the phoenix, 凤凰), the king of birds in ancient legends. In the olden days, it was a metaphor for a wise and holy monarch to whom the whole world was attached, and later it was also a metaphor for a person of high moral standing to whom all the people belonged.
In times immemorial, Feng Huang was merely an unremarkable little bird.
Its feathers lacked any special radiance, far from the dazzling beauty depicted in legends.
Yet, it possessed one virtue: it was incredibly diligent. Unlike other birds that frolicked after eating their fill.
it worked tirelessly throughout the day, gathering fruits discarded by others, and storing them in caves.
In a year when the forest faced a severe drought。
The birds couldn’t find food, starving and barely able to survive.
At this moment, Feng Huang hastily opened its cave, took out the dried fruits and grass seeds it had accumulated over the years, sharing them with everyone to overcome the hardship together.
One day, Fu Xi （伏羲） patrolled the Tong Forest in the Western Mountains, where he saw the essences of the five elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, descending onto the Wutong tree.
Immediately, celestial music filled the air, and a fragrant aroma spread.
A radiant display of light shone in the sky.
two beautiful big birds, carried by colorful auspicious clouds, gracefully landing on the Wutong tree.
Other birds flew over, gathering on trees everywhere and chirping towards the two big birds in unison.
Seeing this, Fu Xi was greatly amazed, and quickly summoned his assistant, the Wood God Gou Mang（句芒）, to inquire.
Gou Mang smiled and said, “Those two biggest birds are Feng Huang!”