Bifang

Fire Bird

One-legged crane-like bird from the Shanhaijing whose appearance heralds fire in the town.

Bifang is the one-legged fire bird of the Shanhaijing, shaped like a crane with a blue body and a white beak, whose cry gives its own name. Its appearance is said to herald fire in the town, and legends tell that the Yellow Emperor once kept it as a companion. Under later lore it becomes a bird of pestilence and flame, yet its image also guards against fire.