Page 343 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols 336
The ‘hemp-bird’ rates as the most sensual of all the birds; and so, eating its flesh is
supposed to increase sexual potency. It symbolises the penis. According to the old
peasant calendars, when the warm weather is over, the sparrows dive into the sea or into
the river Huai, where they spend the winter in the guise of oysters.
It is also said of the sparrow that it would rather die than be found wanting in honour.
‘Sparrow-school’ is a South Chinese term for mahjong players.
Spider Spider

zhi-zhu

The spider is a creature of good omen. Sliding down a thread from its web, it symbolises
‘good luck descending from heaven’. In one of the Central Chinese dialects the spider is
called xi-mu = ‘(the one)

Spider on a thread: joy comes down from heaven