Thread by @Lalodyslore

🧵 The Xianzhou Phoenix Lore
Aka why I'm excited about Marshal Hua

Credits: Me, @synonyms26, Zhenjie, Sei, and more anon friends from discord

#hsr #xianzhou #marshalhua

Of course, we first learn of the Xianzhou Phoenix in the Palace of Astrum and Arbiter General myriad trailer. It's always depicted with the sun among the clouds and is visually implied to have been there throughout Xianzhou history.

Consistent with CN ideology, the Phoenix appears to be a prominent figure in XZ history. Jing Yuan references the Phoenix in his splash. The name of this board state is called 'Phoenix facing the sun' in English. (丹red 凤phoenix 朝阳facing/exposed to the sun).

We also see Jing Yuan sitting in the Palace of Astrum in front of the Phoenix facing the sun in Space Comedy.

It's not just fantasy or fun reference, the Phoenix is actually a canonical entity that exists in Honkai: Star Rail. You definitely have some of its feathers in your inventory... these drop from abomination mobs and are used in suspicious tea, among other things.

Previously, HI3 had a Phoenix character called Fu Hua. She is the main CN character of Honkai and is heavily associated with the Phoenix.

TLDR: Fu Hua's story included her disciples: Ma Yanqing, Li Sushang, and a few others. Otto Apocalypse (Raksha=Luocha, ref to a short story Luōchà Hǎishì) came to her country, Shenzhou, and bad things happened after that... the visual novel is Saga of the Shattered Swords.

Fun Fact: Kafka actually subtly references the story of Shattered Swords in her game of truth and lies as a lie about Dan Heng and Blade.

Coincidentally (not), the leader of the Xianzhou is known as Marshal Hua. The CN for Fu Hua shares the same Hua 华 (though it is a common word). It's extremely likely that Marshal Hua is a Fu Hua expy and the phoenix of the Xianzhou.

The sun in 'phoenix faces the sun' is most likely a reference to Lan the hunt, too. TLDR: Lan is a reference to the chariot sun god Helios and is likely the combination of a Xianzhou Hero and most of the Flint Emperor (Heliobi). Lan's wheels are even still on fire.

So basically: Phoenix (Marshal) faces towards the sun (Lan). This also follows with the way the Xianzhou interprets Lan's lux arrows as divine mandates.

It's also worth mentioning the alliance between the Xianzhou humans, Foxians, and Vidyadhara. Glaciator Marum signed the alliance on behalf of the Vidyadhara and gained control of the Fanghu. Assuming the Phoenix is inherited by the Marshal, the Dragon/Phoenix ref here is clear.

Fun Fact 1: The scenery in Palace of Astrum is modelled after the brass tree shown in the Zhongli x Sanxingdui museum event. It also represents the Ambrosial Arbor Luofu map. The phoenix may be the birds on the branches?

The brass tree also features a dragon at the root of the tree. We even have one of those in game, too.

Fun Fact 2: Dan Heng actually has a few ref to Fu Hua in his kit. One of OG Fu Hua's ability was the azure dragon which has a similar icon to DH:IL's ultimate. DH:IL's form also seems visually similar to Azure Empyrea Fu Hua's aesthetic.

Dan Heng's abilities also use ink splatters which are what Azure Empyrea's abilities use + Umbrella?

Also Dan 丹 in Dan Heng means red, which is the same red in JY's splash board state "丹凤朝阳" Another common word but interesting nonetheless. 凤 is pronounced fèng which is similarish to Dan Feng's 枫 fēng. 枫 just means maple, though, not phoenix.

Fun Fact 3: 丹凤朝阳 board state is when a few small pawns are checkmating the general(king). The chariot is unable to save the general.

The name of the board state is a ref to a poem. It means "prosperous time, talents come" and literally describes a phoenix singing from a-high, the sycamore tree is born and the sun rises. (“凤凰鸣矣，于彼高冈。梧桐生矣，于彼朝阳").

Okay I'm (probably) done. TLDR I'm very excited for our Xianzhou Phoenix Marshal Hua to join us some day. Hopefully we get to see her during the trial of Luocha and Jingliu.