What is the national bird of China?

The national bird of China is the red-crowned crane.

In 2003, the state launched a campaign to select a national bird. A referendum was held on the Internet, and the red-crowned crane came out on top with the highest number of votes.

The fact that the crane won the competition is inextricably linked to its position in traditional Chinese culture. In the eyes of the ancients, the crane was also known as the "immortal crane", which means noble and long life, and in the myth of the longevity of the star's mount is the Dan Ding Crane. As early as the Yinshang period in the excavated artifacts have the image of the crane.

By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the pattern of the cranes was also the symbol of official uniforms, and it was a pattern that only first-ranking officials were qualified to use. The Danding Crane became a sacred bird second only to the phoenix, and unlike the phoenix, it is a bird that really exists. It can be seen that the Danding Crane is indeed a popular choice.

The Cultural Significance of the Danding Crane

The legendary crane is the Danding Crane, which is a large wading bird living in marshes or shallow waters, and is often called the "God of the Wetlands". It has nothing to do with the pine trees that grow in the high mountains and hills, but because the crane has a life span of 50-60 years, people often paint it with pine trees as a symbol of longevity.

People in East Asia use the crane to symbolize happiness, good fortune, longevity and fidelity. It appears repeatedly in the literature and art works of various countries, and the image of the crane appears in sculptures in the tombs of the Yin and Shang dynasties. Spring and Autumn and Warring States period of the bronze clock, crane body styled rituals have appeared.