Fenghuang are mythological birds of East Asia that reign over all other birds. The males are called Feng and the females Huang. In modern times, however, such a distinction of gender is often no longer made and the Feng and Huang are blurred into a single feminine entity so that the bird can be paired with the Chinese dragon, which has male connotations. The Fenghuang is also called the "August Rooster" since it sometimes takes the place of the rooster in the Chinese Zodiac. It is occasionally confused with the Suzaku, although non-Han variations of the Four Symbols consider both the Suzaku and the Feng Huang as the same creature. Feng Huang is known in Japan as Ho-O or Houou. Sometimes, it is incorrectly called the Chinese Phoenix, which originated from mythologies of different regions.
"Origin: China. A sacred bird. The males are called Feng and the females Huang. It is a beautiful five-colored shining bird, two meters long including the neck. In the 'Book of Rites,' it is one of the four benevolent animals."
—Shin Megami Tensei A-Mode DDS dictionary
In the Aeon Genesis translation of the game, Feng Huang is translated as Ho-ou or Ho-oh.
"A legendary avian that appears in countless Chinese legends. Both male and female, it is the king of all flying creatures. A servant of the Emperor of Heaven, it is two meters long and has a five-colored body and a five-toned voice. It only eats bamboo seeds and only perches on paulownia trees. In the Chinese "Classic of Rites", Feng Huang is counted as one of the Four Holy Elements and protects the South. It is also sometimes identified among the Four Holy Beasts alongside Zhu Que, Phoenix, and Garuda."
—Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE compendium
Feng Huang can only be acquired through fusion and through the hacked chip run in Home III Camp. He appears as a field boss on Shinagawa field and as support for Byakko's boss room. Feng is also one of the demons that can be mounted by using an intaglio item.
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army[edit | edit source]
"The legendary bird of Chinese myth. It's said to appear only in times of peace. It is the ruler of all birds; when it dies, birds throughout the land chirp with sadness."
—Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. The Soulless Army devil chart
"The legendary bird of Chinese myth, said to appear only in times of peace. It is the ruler of all birds. When it dies, birds across the land chirp with sadness."
—Persona 5 background
Feng Huang is referred to as Phoenix. Phoenix is the third Persona of the Hierophant Arcana and can only be obtained through fusion in the Velvet Room. It is the first Persona usable by the protagonist to learn the Freila, Recarm and Nuke Boost skills. When itemized using Electric Chair execution, Phoenix yields the Nuke Boost skill card.
"One of the Ssu-Ling celestial creatures in Chinese lore. The Four beasts were divided equally throughout the land to protect the five emperors in ancient China. There is even a mural depiction of them in Kitora Tomb in Japan. Huang, the Vermillion Bird, is protector of the south and represents the season of summer. It is gigantic, resembles a quail and is said to chirp in five beautiful voices."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2 compendium
Feng Huang is a common 3 star demon who can be fused or recruited. In the Aura Gate 2, Feng Huang is also an optional boss. Defeating it will unlock multi-fusion for Parvati.