仙鹤

仙鶴

xiānhè

noun HSK 7-9 #37,209

Measure Word

一只仙鹤 zhī

Meanings

1 red-crowned crane
2 immortal crane (symbol of longevity)

Characters

仙

xiān

immortal; celestial; fairy

鹤

hè

crane (bird)

Literally 'immortal crane.' In Chinese mythology, cranes carry Taoist immortals through the sky and symbolize longevity.

Examples

HSK 2

公园的湖边有几只仙鹤。

Gōngyuán de húbiān yǒu jǐ zhī xiānhè.

There are several cranes by the lake in the park.

HSK 5

仙鹤是长寿的象征。

Xiānhè shì chángshòu de xiàngzhēng.

The crane is a symbol of longevity.

Tips

culture

In Chinese art, cranes are paired with pine trees (松鹤延年, 'pine and crane prolong years') as a birthday blessing for the elderly. The red-crowned crane (丹顶鹤) was once a candidate for China's national bird.

Stroke Order

仙 xiān

鹤 hè

仙鹤