Definition

1. Noun:
   • Phoenix: A mythical bird in East Asian mythology, often symbolizing grace, virtue, and high status. It is considered the king of birds and an auspicious creature.
   • Male and Female Phoenix: Specifically, the term can refer to the pair of mythical birds: "phượng" (male phoenix) and "hoàng" (female phoenix), representing a harmonious couple, often used symbolically.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong truyền thuyết, phượng hoàng là một loài chim thần. (In legend, the phoenix is a mythical bird.)
  • Hình ảnh phượng hoàng thường được thêu trên áo choàng của hoàng hậu. (The image of the phoenix is often embroidered on the empress's robe.)
  • Biểu tượng phượng hoàng tượng trưng cho sự hòa hợp giữa vợ và chồng. (The phoenix symbol represents harmony between wife and husband.)

Advanced Usage

• "phượng hoàng lửa": fire phoenix (a common metaphorical variant emphasizing rebirth from ashes, influenced by Western mythology).
  • Câu chuyện về phượng hoàng lửa tái sinh từ đống tro tàn rất nổi tiếng. (The story of the fire phoenix reborn from ashes is very famous.)
• Used in formal, literary, or artistic contexts to denote nobility, rebirth, or perfect harmony.

Variants and Related Words

• Phượng (n): Often used alone to mean "phoenix," but traditionally specifies the male bird.
• Loan phượng (n): A poetic compound sometimes used for "phoenix," emphasizing its elegance.
• Phụng (n): An alternate Sino-Vietnamese reading of the same character for "phoenix."

Synonyms

• Chim thần (n): mythical bird (a general term).
• Chim phụng (n): phoenix (alternative term).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Phượng hoàng múa (phoenix dances): A phrase describing a beautiful, graceful movement or a very auspicious sign.
  • Cảnh tượng đẹp như phượng hoàng múa. (The scene is as beautiful as a dancing phoenix.)
• Đôi uyên ương, cặp phượng hoàng (a pair of mandarin ducks, a couple of phoenixes): A common idiom praising a perfectly matched and happy couple.
  • Họ đúng là đôi uyên ương, cặp phượng hoàng. (They are truly a pair of mandarin ducks, a couple of phoenixes.)

1. Male phoenix and female phoenix
2. Phoenix