#bifang

In Chinese mythology, the Bi Fang is a magical bird that only has one leg. Descriptions of it vary, but it is most often depicted as a kind of crane.

The bird is said to be found on Mount Zhang'e, and can be an omen of an impending fire. It is generally not considered a fearsome creature, however, and was once a companion of the Yellow Emperor. However, some believe that the Bi Fang itself sets fires in nearby towns.

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(This is a story set in mythological China. It is set as a play and a ballet. Every Chinese mythological bird represents a Chinese flute - sanzuwu=hulusi, xianhe=xiao, bifang=bawu, shangyang=dizi, etc. it should be read in the style of Peter and the Wolf. Feedback is very much welcomed. Hope you enjoy.)

(In the time of the August Rooster.)

Early one evening, when the red sun began to set, there flew an old crow named Sanzuwu. Now, Sanzuwu was no ordinary crow. No, unlike the other crows who were bathed in the black feathers, Sanzuwu was feathered in red. In addition to this rare feature Sanzuwu was also blessed with three legs.

Sanzuwu was returning home from a long day's work where he would fly around the world everyday alongside the chariot of the Mother of Suns. He was coming home to rest upon the Fusang tree. It was a large mulberry tree that had many branches hanging all over the place. The branches were so heavy with fruit that they nearly touched the ground.

The old crow found its spot and perched upon a branch ready for rest. Before long Sanzuwu heard something walking on the ground below. As everyone knows the Sanzuwu bird has his eyes covered so that he may not eat of the Chunsheng grass. Because of this he cawed out loud to what was walking below:

“Hello down there.” He said. “Who travels this path at this time of day? Please state your name.”

It was Xianhe the crane, who was tall with white feathers with a crown of red. Like Sanzuwu, Xianhe was also special. He would carry the people who have achieved enlightenment through prayer and meditation to their new dwelling place. There they would become immortal and live forever.

After hearing Sanzuwu, Xianhe replied back.

“Hello, my friend, it is me, Xianhe the fairy crane. I am returning from a trip rarely taken these days.”

Sanzuwu was a bit perplexed and asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Xianhe replied, “Enlightenment is far from humanity. Many years ago mankind was eager to pray, be happy, and achieve enlightenment. Now, all they care for is money and food. Which only makes them angry and sad.”

“This very true,” said Sanzuwu. “I have seen it myself while flying around the world. Humans were made to love one another. But now all they do is love things that cannot love them back. And because of this they want more in order to fill the hole where that love is supposed to be.”

Xianhe agreed with Sanzuwu and said, “For many ages I have been dreading this time. I knew one day it would come. Because there are such few people achieving enlightenment the end of the world is near.”

“Yes, that is true,” said Sanzuwu. “While traveling in the west I was given a message from the Qingniao birds that the end is approaching for the wickedness of mankind.”

“But there is hope,” said Xianhe. “You see the Vermilion Bird watches over all. And if prayers are offered up and the men and women of the earth are peaceful, then everything will be alright.”

“They better start soon,” said Sanzuwu. “The Qingniao birds also said that they have seen the poisonous Zhenniao birds in many parts of the land destroying crops and everything around them.”

The two birds looked sad at the conversation they were having. They pitied mankind. And because of this they decided to pray.

After their prayer they looked at each other and before they could say another word they heard a loud and terrifying caw. They looked up to see a bright yellow light. From the light came a large green bird with red markings on its feathers. Its beak was white and it only had one leg. It swooped down past Sanzuwu and Xianhe before it landed on its one leg.

Xianhe covered his eyes and bowed his head. “It is Bifang,” he said. “The great bird of fire. He brings omens through the seeds of flame.”

Bifang looked at the two birds and said, “I have heard what you have been conversing about. And I am here to confirm it. The Zhenniao birds are causing destruction on the land. And after them will come the terrible nine headed Jiefeng bird to finish what is left. The sins of mankind are many. Their wickedness has reached the assembly on the supreme mountain and has offended the divine. After the Zhenniao birds and the Jiefeng have done their part I will finish the job with fire and destroy any evil that is left.”

As soon as Bifang had stopped talking he had spread his large green wings and flew away.

Sanzuwu and Xianhe were frightened from what they just heard. Everything will be destroyed by fire. They were not only frightened, but were also saddened. For they had met many wonderful people over time. And they knew that if there were good people in the past then there were good people in the present and there will be good people in the future. Xianhe knew there was still good people because he had just taken one to the place of enlightenment. However, because of this they decided to once again pray.

As soon as they were done praying they heard another loud caw. It was not as terrifying as the caw from the Bifang, but it did scare the crow and crane. They looked up and Sanzuwu said, “It is Shangyang, the rain bird. He brings omens of water.”

Down flew a large bird with blue feathers. It had black and white markings on its feathers. And like Bifang it had only one leg. It landed by the two birds and said, “I have heard your conversation and am here to assure you. Despite the fact that the destruction is inevitable the great fire will be washed away for a new beginning. The seeds of flame will be watered for a new world. Although I hear your conversations the Vermilion Bird hears your prayers. So fret not for evil will pass away and the good will sprout from the ashes.”

As soon as Shangyang had finished speaking he spread his wings and flew off.

Sanzuwu and Xianhe looked at each other and were relieved. They were still sad because of the destruction. But it made them happy that the wickedness would be destroyed and the land would be new again.

Image © Baishi Jinglun, accessed at his site here

[ “There is a bird here on Mount Zhang’e whose form resembles a crane with a single foot, red markings on a green ground and a white beak. It is called the Bifang and it makes a sound like its name. If seen by people, it is an omen of an inexplicable fire in the town.” 

According to A Chinese Bestiary, the bifang was associated in some traditions with wood and others with fire. This inspired the “flammable aura” ability.]

Bifang This crane-like bird stands a head shorter than a human, and has red and orange highlights across its green feathers. It has only a single leg, and its eyes smolder like coals.

Bifangs are birds of elemental fire that occasionally appear as omens of destruction. They are not evil, but their very presence accelerates fires and makes objects more flammable. Even small fires may quickly spread out of control, and large fires might be started as the bifang fights against anyone trying to kill it or chase it off. Knowledgeable summoners may call a bifang to the Material Plane in order to act as a distraction or a weapon of war, but the fires they create can easily spread past their intended targets.

Bifangs eat ash and smoke, and seem to gain pleasure from the ruins of more expensive materials. If given a choice, a bifang would rather burn silk than linen, and magical cloth before either. This destructive habit makes them poor choices to guard treasures for all but the most fireproof of hoards, but they are sometimes used as guards by efreeti or salamanders on the Plane of Fire. Mephits covet them as mounts, and a mephit mounted on a bifang can usually bully other mephits into doing its bidding.

Bifangs lay eggs, which are easily mistaken for oversized fire opals by the untrained. Although bifangs are protective parents, these eggs are sometimes stolen by collectors and end up on the market. Some buyers know the provenance and seek to train the magical bird, whereas others may be taken by the beauty of the “stone” and gain an unpleasant surprise when the bifang finally hatches. Bifangs migrate long distances across the Plane of Fire when left to their own devices, responding to seasonal cues obscure to all but the natives of that plane.