Fenghuang is Chinese for phoenix, the mythical bird of immortality and invincibility that legend has it is consumed by fire at the end of its life cycle only to be reborn from the ashes. Folk tales say that when a phoenix flew over the Fenghuang area, she was attracted by its beautiful landscape, so she hovered and turned into a mountain in order to remain there. The town and the nearby mountain are both named Fenghuang.
Actually... Fenghuang (phoenix) is the patron creature symbol of the Hmong/Miao, as compared to the dragon for the Chinese. A large population of Hmong lived there over 200 years ago before the Qing Empire's armies massacred them. It was the center of the Hmong uprising against Qing tyranny. If anything, the local legends are a cover up for the truth. The phoenix symbolizes death and rebirth of the Hmong and their diaspora to the West... although Gran Torino did absolutely no justice!
jephboy 1 year ago