female phoenix bird
凰 centers on the female phoenix, a mythical bird symbolizing grace, rebirth, and high virtue.
凰 combines the wind enclosure ⺇ with 皇 (emperor, sovereign), likely suggesting the phoenix as a majestic bird associated with wind or high flight. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Inside the wind enclosure ⺇ sits 皇, the emperor. Picture a majestic female phoenix, the empress of all birds, soaring on the wind.
For コウ, imagine a phoenix soaring high like a kite: kite -> コウ, and the empress bird rides the wind.
Chinese firebird; Chinese phoenix
huang (female Chinese firebird)
Hōō Maru (Western-style Japanese frigate, launched in 1853)
Phoenix (constellation)
Chinese phoenix pattern
royal poinciana (Delonix regia); flamboyant
Bambusa multiplex var. elegans (variety of hedge bamboo)
Vulsella vulsella (species of clam)