“Jiān: Mythical Bird with One Wing and One Eye in Chinese Mythology”
Cultural Significance and Modern Interpretations of Jian Bird:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSm8H1a8xTc
‘Jiān’: A mythical Chinese bird with one wing and one eye, ‘Jiān’ is considered a legendary bird in Chinese mythology, characterized by its natural form of having one wing and one eye. While describing this creature in unnatural and undeveloped terms raises valid questions, considering ‘Jiān’ as a mythical bird often dismisses such queries. However, here we seek possible facts about ‘Jiān’ to clarify its existence.
Opening Statement:
Some proverbs act as barriers, making it easier to advance the narrative.
First, the unique portrayal of a bird with only one wing and one eye allowed this to be interpreted as an unnatural form of life.
Second, the existence of the Jian bird cannot be seen in the modern world, nor are remnants of this species encountered.
Third, each pair of Jian birds, that is, another half, are believed to coexist together. They are considered to exist when the two halves come together. This interpretation assures the existence of each Jian bird and provides credibility to the existence of another Jian bird.
Fourth, due to the limited physical attributes (meaning one wing and one eye) in this species of bird, scholars argue that they (pairs) are born in close proximity to each other.
Statement:
Now let’s start the statements. As mentioned above, it is believed that these birds were created to remain solitary.
- Origin of Jiyan Bird:
Due to its creation through ancient Chinese mythology, Jian Bird is not considered a creature prone to any kind of disorder. Moreover, there are no additional statements available from historians about the origins of this bird. These birds were born through which process and what kind of creators were there to create them? How old were these birds? What did they look like? What were their eating habits, such questions are still unanswered still.
2. Is this real?
Mythological narratives have the ability to effortlessly intertwine historical, cultural, religious, and social contexts, serving the purpose of personal and societal awareness. They provide glimpses into early human understanding, art, aesthetic standards, contemporaneous natural activities, societal conditions, and the emotional designs of early humans. Such narratives are thus endeavored to be comprehended in the present time, where they continue to exist and revive. They illustrate the human imagination’s horizon, the stability of oral traditions, and the perpetuity of human curiosity, while safeguarding the unity of psychological science through various aspects.
Furthermore, it is often said that where there is a story, there is also an event. This compels us to accept, to some extent, that the presence of the Jian bird must have existed at some point in history. Although we can dismiss it as mere imagination, the notion that any person’s imagination is at least true for them for a moment is well established in our understanding. Just as the origin of the universe is complex, so are its mysteries. As science continues to work on proving the existence of supernatural powers or divinities, we can remain hopeful that it might one day verify the existence of the Jian bird as well. With this hopeful outlook, let’s proceed with the remaining narrative.
Well, for now, we have defined it as a mythical creature. However, here are some fascinating stories that have made the Jian bird a permanent and influential figure in Chinese mythology.
3. What does the mythical tale of Jian the bird seek to convey?
- The mythical tale of Jian signifies the significant role of such mythological stories in enriching China’s cultural heritage, portraying prosperity as a cultural ideal.
- Jian birds are not created solely for reproductive purposes. It is believed that both partners must fulfill their responsibilities fully to meet, indicating that ownership of only one Jian bird with one eye and one pouch does not mean the capability to fly, see well, and live a competent life. Therefore, Jian birds indicate the importance of collectivity and unity.
3. Consider this, in the context where Jiyan birds fulfill their duties independently, they can only meet each other here. This story also adds a follow-up statement: if they encounter each other and then assume the form of a single bird, they will be able to fly at the height they desire. Moreover, they can see (or perceive) in every direction as they wish. Observing this, can it be said that the success of one Jiyan bird also implies the success of another Jiyan bird (and vice versa)?
4. Mythology also suggests that in the context of these birds who come together with deep harmony, their relationship will endure indefinitely. Conversely, in situations where this cannot happen due to having one beak and one eye, it indicates that eventually these solitary birds will conclude their solitary lives in this world. This provides an opportunity to question why Jiyan birds are not seen in contemporary times? In instances where one Jiyan bird has met its true life partner, they continue to live indefinitely, but what philosophical perspectives are sought in discovering that they are unable to meet in the near future?
4. Other considerations:
- In Chinese mythology, this mythological bird is not perhaps perceived due to its inability, but rather seen as the manifestation of the Jian-Jian (Jian-Jian) form. The reunion of this Jiyan bird pair is interpreted as a divine miracle.
- For this reason, this mythological bird also exerts a profound influence on traditional Chinese marriages. The bond between Jian-Jian is regarded symbolically akin to that between Mr. and Mrs., and in China, Jian-Jian birds are used as symbols of marriage. In ancient Chinese villages, married couples (Mr. and Mrs.) are referred to as Jian-Jian birds. Pointing towards the married couple, it is said, “Look, look… the Jian birds are flying. May they live happily and fly together forever.”
5. Poem:
While delving deeper into the lore of the Jian bird, I came across a poem by the poet Mascha Kaléko , translated into Hindi by Anil Janvijay. Here is the poem, faithfully presented in its entirety:
(नेपालीमा)
शीर्षक : ‘जियान’
एकपटक मैले पढेको थिएँ-
जियान चराको बारेमा,
चीनको एक पौराणिक पंक्षी
सिर्फ एक पखेटा भएको
र, जोडामा रहन्थ्यो जो
दूर..भू-क्षितिजमा उडिरहने गर्दछ,
जियान चराका बथानहरू
जियानको हमेशा
जोडी नै उड्न सक्दछ
एक्लो जियान
जमिनमा थेचारीरहन्छ, थेचारीरहन्छ..
ए मेरो आत्मा !
तँ जब छाडीदिनेछस् मलाई
जियान जस्तै
म पनि गुडहरूमै बाधिनेछु ।
(अनु : राजु झल्लु प्रसाद)
(हिन्दीमा)
शीर्षक : ‘पिही’
एक बार मैंने पढ़ा था पिही के बारे में
चीन का एक पौराणिक पक्षी
सिर्फ़ एक पंख वाला
और जोड़े में रहता है जो
दूर क्षितिज पर उड़ता
पिही का झुण्ड दिखाई देता है
पिही का हमेशा
जोड़ा ही उड़ सकता है
अकेला पिही
ज़मीन से चिपक जाता है
पिही की तरह
मैं भी घोंसले से बँध जाऊँगी
ओ मेरी आत्मा !
तू मुझे छोड़ देगी जब
(अनु : अनिल जनविजयल)
(Originally: This poem was written by the Austrian poet Mascha Kaléko around 1913. In English, the bird known as “Jian” is referred to as “Peehee,” and Anil Janvijay translated Kaléko’s poem. In this context, the presented poem has traveled from German to Russian, and from Russian to Hindi.)
(In English:)
Title: Pihi
I once read about the bird Pihi,
The marvelous creature in the land of the Chinese.
It has only one wing:
Always in pairs
You see flocks of Pihi on the horizon.
Only in twos can the bird soar;
In singular, it remains glued to the ground.
Like the Pihi,
chained to its nest,
Is my soul when you leave me.
(Originally in German)
Vom Vogel Pihi hab ich einst gelesen,
Dem Wundertier im Lande der Chinesen.
Er hat nur einen Fittich: Stets in Paaren
Sieht man am Horizont der Pihi Scharen.
Zu zweien nur kann sich das Tier erheben;
Im Singular bleibt es am Boden kleben.
Dem Pihi gleich, gekettet an das Nest,Ist meine Seele, wenn du mich verläßt.
Source of the poem: Kavitakosh (Poetry repository).
Source of the narrative: Online.