China’s national bird selection is creating a flap with the public. It’s not about the bird, but its name. The country’s State Forestry Administration (SFA) suggested the avian symbol of China should be the dandinghe in Chinese, otherwise known as the Japanese crane, but people aren’t happy with its associations with Japan.
The SFA chose the endangered bird because in Chinese, Japanese and Korean tradition, the bird with its white feathers and red crest is a symbol of peace and long life. The state council will make a final decision.
…”It is definitely unacceptable,” said Chenzhou Zhu, a wildlife photographer. “Although dandinghe Ôºà‰∏πÈ°∂Èπ§Ôºâ is considered a symbol of longevity, it’s not reasonable to pick a “Japanese” bird as the icon of the country.” [Full Text]