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Stylized animal symbols can be found all throughout China, whether it be on books or temples. Here is a list of animals and what they mean in Chinese culture.

Butterfly - Represents love, especially young love. Happily flitting from flower to flower, the butterfly signifies a happy social life for the young and young-at-heart. Chinese legend has it that the butterfly symbolizes an undying bond between lovers.

Crab - Signifies prosperity and status because the Chinese word referring to its shell is a pun ont he highest score on the Chinese Imperial Examinations (first or jia). Two crabs represent the first and second scores of the examinations.

Crane - Legendary in China for being the prince of all feathered creatures on Earth. Next to the phoenix, the crane is the most favored of all Chinese bird symbols. The crane is the ancient symbol for longevity because of its exceptionally long lifespan. In many legends, the spirits ride on cranes, which are also said to bear the souls of the departed to the heavens.

Goldfish - This symbol means abundance of gold, making the goldfish a popular symbol in the Chinese culture. One of the most popular New Year's images is a child holding a large goldfish and a lotus flower, which brings both wealth and harmony.

Horse - The 7th sign of the Chinese Zodiac, it represents endurance, loyalty, and purity to the Buddhist way of thinking. It is also a symbol for quick advancement in rank, and recognition of strength.

Magpie - This Chinese symbol translates into the bird of joy. It is believed that when a magpie nests in your house, it brings much cause for celebration and many happy occasions. Those wishing to settle down will do well to have this symbol in their lives, as it attracts the nesting, settling energies into our lives. Additionally the magpie is a powerful symbol to attract joy associated with marriage and children.

Phoenix - A celestial sign to the Chinese, the phoenix is the king of the winged kingdom. Magnificent and legendary, this bird is synonymous with good fortune, opportunity, and luck. It alos conveys strength and resilience int he symbolic rising from its own ashes and soars to greater heights. On its own, the phoenix is a yang (male) symbol and is associated with fire energies and the four winds. Combined with the dragon, the phoenix represents yin (female) energy. As a point of spiritual focus, the phoenix evokes in us the five human qualities of good chi, or cosmic energy:

• Virtue
• Compassion
• Duty & responsibility
• Reliability & loyalty
• Proper behavior / right attitude

Rooster - An image of a rooster conveys a wish for advancement because the rooster's crest (guan) is a play on the Chinese word meaning "official." More importantly the rooster is an auspicious creature that can ward off evil spirits. Legend has it that the Heavenly Rooster of Dusu Mountain was crowing loudly and making all the roosters on earth crow along with it. This tremendous wall of sound would result in scaring all evil spirits away.

Tiger - This ancient symbol is an emblem of dignity, ferocity, sterness, courage, and by itself is yin energy. Also a symbol of protection, the image of a tiger is often seen on clothing or in the home to ward off harm and ensure safekeeping. In certain areas of China and Asia, the tiger is regarded as the god of wealth. Consequently, Tsai Shen Yeh, the Chinese god of wealth, is depicted sitting on a tiger. Such an image symbolizes the supremacy of the intangible forces, and mankind's ability to harness the tiger's power in our lives.