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Mythical creatures and immortals first appeared on Han Dynasty funerary objects. Initially, there were no fixed rules for their placement. During the Qing Dynasty, official regulations began to dictate their arrangement: immortals were placed at the forefront, followed by mythical creatures, typically in odd numbers.

Due to varying regional architectural practices, these placements eventually diverged from official norms, evolving into many different forms seen today.

The immortal riding a phoenix, used here, originates from a myth during the Warring States period: after suffering defeat, the King of Qi fled to a large river with his enemies close behind. At the critical moment, a phoenix appeared. The king mounted the phoenix and flew across the river, escaping his pursuers. This image is often placed on rooftops to symbolize turning misfortune into fortune.

Image/Changhua Hemei, Longhua Cihui Hall, Joss Paper Burner 5.76m