Lei Bird

Origin and Mythology

Shan Hai Jing · Xishan Jing

Lei is recorded among the birds of Mount Cui, whose slopes the text describes through trees, bamboo, metals, and mountain animals. The text attributes to Lei the power to ward off fire. This is an ancient mythic belief, not modern fire-safety guidance.

Appearance

The Shan Hai Jing describes Lei as resembling a magpie, red and black, with two heads and four feet. This coloring design interprets that compact image through twin heads, a sweeping wing, layered blue-and-cream feathers, dark talons, and stylized clouds. The blue-and-gold palette, exact feather arrangement, two-legged flight pose, and surrounding scenery are modern artistic additions rather than fixed details from the source.

Symbolism

Lei can be read as a watchful, doubled guardian: its paired heads suggest alertness, while its fire-warding attribution gives the creature a protective role. As a coloring page, the feather layers, twin faces, beaks, talons, clouds, and wind curls invite black, vermilion, blue, cream, or an entirely personal palette.